RETRO REPORTER: Newry’s Millenium Pageant

First mooted 12 months prior, the meticulous planning resulted in exhilarating dramatisations of key events in the then-town's history, as well as fringe activities.

And despite the unseasonable hail storms, the events in the town centre attracted crowds of appreciative onlookers.

Under darkening skies and thunder rolling overhead, the district's First Citizen, Cllr Josephine O'Hare, officially got proceedings underway.

As the colourful procession of pageant participants halted outside the front gates of the market on Hill Street, she highlighted that Newry market had been "a lively social and economic mix, the focus of countless journeys by horse and cart, by barge, train and car".

The market had been "a colourful and imaginative place where boy met girl, town met country and travelling preachers prepared to meet God".

Mrs O'Hare was delighted to point out that the market had adapted to wave after wave of commercial and technological change.

Here are some pictures from the pageant - see if you can spot anyone you know in the pictures.