Troubles legacy blamed on protestant migration from South Armagh
According to recently released research, Protestants in the Newry and Mourne area – more specifically south Armagh – have been migrating out of the area as a result of the legacy of the Northern Ireland “Troubles”.
David Hanna, the chairman of Altnaveigh House – an Ulster-Scots organisation in the city – said his group carried out extensive research into the migration of Protestants in the wider Newry and Mourne area.
Newry, a predominately Catholic city, has a minority of less than 10% Protestants according to the census.
Speaking this week, Mr Hanna said: “Our research in 1999 and 2003 showed that the Protestant people who were staying were the parents and grandparents, while the young people were going to university in England and Scotland but not returning.
“We found that young Protestant people in the area were travelling to the north and north west to socialise, to Hillsborough, Portadown, Banbridge, Dromore and Belfast. In part it is a legacy of the Troubles.
“In future we could see an even bigger effect on the demographic mix which impacts on the viability of schools and churches.”
