BBC Video Footage

Am so excited after watching video footage of Electric Tram travelling under Newry Viaduct as Steam train travels over the Viaduct.  I hope to share this video link with you, it is from the BBC Travelling Roadshow Episode 3 based on the Newry area's history.  The show was hosted by Gloria Hunniford and the clip is only a few seconds long but it so great to see a moving image of the Bessbrook to Newry Tram as it crosses under the viaduct and across the Camlough/Newry Road.  I shall ask my brillant tutor Monica to assist me with this feat of Technology and then you too can enjoy this little piece of history.

The title of the youtube video I have uploaded is The Golden Age of Trams and is an excellent insight to the social history of this wonderful invention.

PROFORMA TO TOM

I have sent my proforma to Tom and he appears to be happy with my progress to date. I feel that I need to start thinking about structuring my mindmap with reference to my project.  As I delve deeper into this project I find there are many strands of research open to me. 

On Saturday I had a chance meeting with a local Newry and Mourne District Councillor who has been involved with the work on the resurfacing of the original tramline between Bessbrook and Newry, which is (much to his dissappointment) only partially completed.  This tarmac route takes the walker along the old route of the tram and makes for a very interesting walkway however it remains unfinished and is presently only a loop of half of the 3 mile track.

Hope to follow up on this work through a contact in the Newry and Mourne Council.   He and I both agreed this would be an interesting add on to the tourist attractions of Newry.  I know that many people of my generation and younger have never even known of the existence of this Tramway. 

This image is at the entrance to the tarmac walkway laid down by the Council

on the bed of the tramline track from the Millvale Pub above under the Viaduct and ends at

the Craigmore stop.

BLOGGERS CLASS FORUM

Today I emailed the class forum to gather blogger addresses to enable me to follow my classmates progress and to discuss research methods and techniques.

HISTORIAN DAY

Today hope to visit Sam Hanna, Historical Society in Bessbrook and to speak to John Davies regarding the rebuild the Bessbrook to Newry Tram Line.

BESSBROOK - NEWRY TRAM

Sorry about this confusing start to my blogging career.  I had initially entitled my site Dromantine House as my intention was to study the 'Big House' Irish perspective on the now seminary Dromantine.  However having emailed and talked to Armagh Irish History Library and following a visit to look at their research on Dromantine, I eventually decided that there was not sufficient evidence and research to establish a meaningful piece of work. 

Having given it some thought I decided to take a local historical transport method, that of the Bessbrook to Newry Tram.

To date I have completed internet research, emailed four relevant libraries, Newry, Bessbrook, Belfast Central and the Ulster Transport Museum and have located local people to talk to with reference to their work on the Tram System.