From the pages of the Down Recorder, August 5, 1975

From the pages of the Down Recorder, August 5, 1975

5 August 2015

CASTLEWELLAN — An 18 year-old Manchester youth had a miraculous escape from death in the early hours of Monday morning when the ceiling of his cousin’s bombed bar fell on top of him as he lay sleeping.

Paul Duggan, on holiday in Castlewellan, was sleeping in living accommodation above the Wreck Inn, in Upper Square, owned by his cousin, Eamonn Duggan, when a car bomb exploded without warning. Flames engulfed the bar, but the owner’s wife, Mrs Eileen Duggan, wakened Paul before carrying her two children, Polly (2) and Leo (6 months), to safety.

The four were sleeping when the bomb went off just after 2am. Part of the building was demolished in the attack and a fire, which took firemen and three appliances more than three hours to extinguish, started almost immediately.

At the time of the explosion the owner was making way back to Castlewellan from a business trip to Cork. He did not know anything about the blast until Monday afternoon. Little was left of the bar by the time firemen got the blaze under control. The contents of the lounge bar, the public bar and a store were completely lost.

The family escaped from the scene with very little clothing, most of their possessions being lost in the fire, which could be seen more than a mile away, despite the thick fog. On Monday the Duggan children were staying with friends of the family just outside Castlewellan.

The car used in the attack, a red Cortina, was stolen in Comber on August 2.

TYRELLA — A meeting aimed at providing a regular voluntary lifeguard service at Tyrella beach is to be held in Downpatrick next week. The man behind the move to patrol East Down’s most popular bathing spot is Mr Donny Maguire, area organiser of the RLSS in Downpatrick.

Although there have been few drowning accidents on our local beaches in recent years he feels that a lifeguard corps service is essential. “Where there is water there is danger,” he said. “No beach can be considered completely safe. The fact that we have had no fatalities proves nothing. We could have one tomorrow.”

Mr Maguire highlighted this argument by pointing to the near tragedy at Newcastle beach several weeks ago when a police sergeant rescued a bather in trouble. “It was lucky then that a trained man was on the spot,” Mr Maguire continued. “I think the wisest course would be to organise a service before a tragedy happened than after the event.”

The Downpatrick School of Lifesaving, under Mr Maguire is producing many qualified people twice yearly. Several present members have the distinction award, the highest practical award in the RLSS.

NEWCASTLE — More than half a million pounds will be spent in the near future transforming a Georgian manse on Newcastle’s Castlewellan Road into a luxury hotel.

The new hotel at Burrendale will be called to the Down County and is set in six-and-a-half acres. At the moment plans for the first stage of the development will include ten bedrooms, each with their own bathroom, as well as a function room and patio. There will also be a dining room with seating for 110 guests, a lounge bar and a car park with adequate space for more than 100 vehicles. Many of the features in the grounds will be retained.

With its setting at the foot of the Mournes it should be a centre for tourists with interestes in mountaineering, pony trekking, fishing and other outside pursuits. A second stage of the development will provide another 15 bedrooms, a sauna bath, solarium and a swimming pool. The initial staff is expected to be around 25 people.

KILLOUGH — A plank jammed in one of the sluice gates at the Strand Lough entrance to Killough harbour could result in severe damage to nearby agricultural land if it is not removed quickly. The plank was found in the gates by local farmers. No one knows how it got there.

Its effects, however, are well known. Sea water is now trapped behind the land side of the gates and if heavier tides come along the level behind the wall could rise, causing considerable damage to the land.

The gates were re-opened =by the Department of Agriculture at Christmas in order to stop flooding of this type. Farmers had been arguing for more than 20 years for the gates to be opened.

Now the Department has been contacted again too see if they will release the plank and drain the land. The farmers in the area should know later today if the Department have agreed to their request.

BALLYNAHINCH — Both sides of the community were saddened to learn of the death of the Very Rev Alexander McMullan, parish priest of Ballynahinch. A native of Legananny, Castlewellan, he was 71 and had only taken ill several days previously.

Canon McMullan spent 18 years in Dromore as parish priest and made many friends on both sides of the community. This well-held respect stretched to Ballynahinch when he became the town’s parish priest in 1967.

His seven-year stay at Ballynahinch highlighted his character and he made himself well known to everyone. His brother, Fr John McMullan, who is serving in the Philippines, was at the parochial house on holiday when the death occurred.

Canon McMullan was ordained at Maynooth in 1925 and served as curate in Warrenpoint for 24 years. He has two sisters who are both nuns.

ARDGLASS — A pipe band parade around Ardglass launches the village’s first festival in five years on Friday evening. the mini-festival lasts for only three days, but the organisers say that if the project is as successful as other events in the area then a full week’s programme could be worked out for next year.

The revival is part of  Down Council’s tourist and recreation department’s drive to attract more visitors to the area. Activities lined up are varied and should cater for all ages. A ‘Know Your Ardglass’ competition will be an all-day event on Friday.

KILLYLEAGH — The various remnants of the German occupation proved a big attraction for the four scouters and 19 boys of Killyleagh Parish Scout troop when they spent their annual summer camp in Guernsey.

Unfortunately, the camp suffered its first accident. Patrol leader Alan Marshall was badly injured in a fall, breaking his right thigh and both his wrists. He is still in the Princess Elizabeth Hospital in Guernsey, but has already been visited by his parents and many friends from the island. Alan is also a member of Killyleagh Juniors football club and his friends both in the club and the scout camp wish him a speedy recovery.

DOWNPATRICK — A man who left Downpatrick for a “wee while” 18 years ago has just returned to his home town, but only for a sentimental visit.

He is Bobby Law and he is full of praise for the attractions of New Zealand. Full of praise too for the joys of living there as expressed not only by himself but also by several other local people who have made the North Island the land of their adoption.

Bobby recalls those days in 1957 when he drove a taxi about Downpatrick. He thought he would give New Zealand a go for a couple of years. But a couple of years later he had no thoughts about leaving. Only a year or so ago did he manage to get to organising a trip back.

INCH — Inch Flute Band, who have been in existence for 52 years, will have a new set of uniforms — their first ever — dedicated at a special ceremony at Cargo’s Corner on Friday night.

The band, which was formed in August 1923, are expecting a good turn-out of visiting bands. Chairman for the evening will be Robert Casement, a foundation member, and the presentation of band caps will be carried out by Samuel Cargo, another foundation member.