The ordination of ten new priests at the Cathedral of St Patrick & St Colman in Newry. After the ordination, the newly-ordained priests bless their friends and families at Dromantine Seminary. Many of these young priests would have gone on to be missionaries in Africa. 

Newry Cathedral is the most commanding building in Newry and is undoubtedly the most important work executed by Newry’s greatest native architect, Thomas Duff. Built in 1829 of local granite, it was the first Catholic Cathedral opened after the granting of Catholic Emancipation. The interior marble work and mosaics took five years, with artisans and craftsmen coming from all over Europe to undertake the work. The tower and transept were added in 1888 whilst in 1904 the nave was extended. 

The history of Dromantine estate dates to the middle ages. The ancient Irish clan of Magennis dominated most of South County Down from the 14th - 17th century and owned vast tracts of land in that area, including what is now Dromantine Estate. Following the political upheavals of the early 17th c. one of the Magennis clansmen, Murtagh, became the owner of an estate of 4200 acres within the precinct of Clanagan.  

An Ulster Television Production.

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