Annalong

In the Census Report of 1659 Annalong is referred to as a 'quarter' - a sub-division of a townland - in this case Moneydarraghmore. Like practically every locality in Mourne, the name derives from the Irish Celtic (Gaelic) - Ath na Long. This means 'the ford of the ships' - a reference to some crossing on the river near where it enters the harbour. It probably relates to Viking times of around a thousand years ago when the longships found some shelter at the mouth of the river. There is no material evidence of the Vikings ever having settled here. However, there are some words in the local dialect which would appear to suggest Norse influence, such as; 'selk', the local name for the common seal; to 'set allow' is to set on fire; to 'hain' is to eke out; 'holm' refers to low-lying land close to the river. ^[5]

On 13 January 1843, fishing boats from Newcastle and Annalong set out for the usual fishing stations but were caught in a gale. Fourteen boats were lost in the heavy seas, including a boat that had come to the rescue. Only two boats survived, the Victoria and the Brothers.^[6] In all, 76 men perished, 30 of them from Annalong.

It is estimated that around 250 men from Annalong served in the Great War (1914–1918). These men were all volunteers, as conscription was only introduced in Great Britain, not Ireland.^[7]

Annalong is 9 miles from the Mourne Mountains and 8 miles from Newcastle. It has a caravan park for visitors as well as a Bed and Breakfast and other holiday accommodation.

The Páirc na Mara Irish-language and cultural centre at Marine Park was opened in 2012 by Conradh na Gaeilge Boirche Íochtar (the Lower Mourne branch of The Gaelic League) and was extended in 2014.

Annalong Primary School is in the village and Annalong Community Development Association was established in 1994.^[8] Moneydarragh Hub is a social centre offering classes, well-being and business collaboration.^[9]

Annalong has several businesses including cafes and a beauty shop. There are many old cottages and houses in the harbour area. New estates have been built on the outskirts of the village.

• Annalong Cornmill was built in the 19th century and operated until the 1960s, and was one of the last working watermills in Northern Ireland. It contains a grain drying kiln and three pairs of millstones. It is powered by a 15 ft water wheel and a 1920s Marshall "hot-bulb" 20hp engine. Restoration began in 1983 after it was acquired by Newry and Mourne District Council, and it reopened in 1985.^[10]
• In Annalong, there is a family farm that sells goods every day of the week. The farm is named Moneydarragh Farm. It is mainly run by the Purdy family. They are known for their potatoes. The potatoes are known as "Purdy's Pink Potatoes".
• Annalong harbour was enlarged in the 1880s to cope with the increased granite exports.^[11] A purpose-built standard gauge railway was built to transport almost all of the material for the construction of the reservoir.
• The Rocket Tower, situated at Cowden's yard on the Kilkeel side of Annalong, is a listed building. Despite being derelict, it is believed to be the only rocket station remaining in Ireland. The tower housed the pigeons, which were used as couriers between the Coastguard stations, and the garage housed a rocket launcher that fired ropes to boats that ran aground during the smuggling in the 18th-19th centuries.
• Annalong Mural Project is a mural painted by pupils from Annalong Primary School and St. Mary's Glasdrumman depicting the area of the Mournes on Main Street. It was created in a cross-community effort between the two schools.

• Francis Rawdon Chesney (1789–1872), Army general; Chesney was born in Annalong. At age 25, he was honoured for saving the lives of several local fishermen who were caught in a storm. He was a British soldier, an explorer in Asia ,and was able to demonstrate that the Suez Canal was a feasible project, bringing about its eventual construction. He also proved that the Tigris and Euphrates rivers were navigable, advocating the adoption of a route to India via the Euphrates.
• Elizabeth Shane (1877–1951), a poet, lived her last years at Glassdrummond House near Annalong.

On census day (27 March 2011) there were 1,805 people living in Annalong. Of those:^[4]

• 20.8% were aged under 16 years and 15.8% were aged 5 and over;
• The average age was 38 years (Northern Ireland average 37.6);
• 50.1% of the population were male and 49.9% were female;
• 29.8% were from a Catholic background, and 64% were from a Protestant background;
• 5.2% of people aged 16-74 were unemployed;
• 21.4% of the population had no access to a car or van.

Annalong is classified by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) as a village (i.e. it has a population between 1,000 and 2,250 people). On census day (29 April 2001) there were 1,778 people living in Annalong. Of these:^[12]

• 23.8% were aged under 16 and 19.1% were aged 60 and over;
• the average age was 36.2 years (Northern Ireland average age 35.8 years);
• 50.1% of the population were male and 49.9% were female;
• 25.9% were from a Catholic background, and 71.8% were from a Protestant background;
• 3.1% of people aged 16-74 were unemployed.
• 7.5% of the local population had access to a car or van.

As part of the 2011 census, 29.8% of residents declared that they were from a Catholic background, while 64% stated they were from a Protestant background. There are several churches in Annalong, including;

Presbyterian Church ^[13]

Church of Ireland Parish Church (part of the Diocese of Down and Dromore) ^[14]

Christian Fellowship Church

Gospel Hall

Free Presbyterian Church

There are no Catholic churches in the village, the nearest being St. Mary's in Glasdrumman.

Annalong is represented by two football clubs. These were formerly based on Protestant and Catholic origin; however, both teams are now more religiously mixed due to decreasing religious tensions in Northern Ireland. Annalong Football Team has two junior football teams (65 registered senior players) who participate in the Mid Ulster Football League. There are training sessions two nights per week. ^[15] The Mourne Rovers football team are also based in Annalong; many of their players also play for local Gaelic teams.

Annalong Canoe and Kayak Club (ACKC), trains Kilkeel Leisure Centre each Tuesday night. This club also has an annual camping trip to mainland Europe. ^[16]

Annalong Outdoor Bowling Club is the village's bowling club.

• Annalong Primary School

• List of villages in Northern Ireland
• List of towns in Northern Ireland

• Annalong.com website