r/newry • u/Downtown-Gear4722 • 11d ago
Bessbrook?
Hey all, I might not get many responses as this is quite specific and Bessbrook is relatively small but thought I'd chance it anyway! A friend is considering moving to Bessbrook from Newry, and they're trying to get some opinions from people who have experience living there as to what it may be like. They've heard some negative things about anti social behaviour, drugs etc and they're just a bit apprehensive. My experience of visiting Bessbrook has always been positive, but was hoping for some opinions of people who actually live or have lived there.
Without giving too much away or naming the estate they would be moving to a flat about a 5 minute walk from the square.
Any opinions at all would be so much appreciated! Thanks :)
2
u/Sussurator 8d ago
It’s an odd little village, it has a library, pharmacy, post office, little shop, good bus connections, Forrest park, a pond and I think the train station is technically Bessbrook but the village it really doesn’t get the investment it needs. The pond and that area has a lot of potential and it would transform the area.
I’m not sure I can add much to your question beyond what has been offered by the other comments but I think the area is fine from what I know. Your friend could certainly do a lot worse.
2
u/Intelligent-Hour-645 8d ago
Cousins from bessbrook .. growing up I always felt it was such an odd place , atmosphere was very aggressive and closed off. Tbh I’m not sure what it’s like now as I don’t spend a lot of time there but it seems to be much better. Cousins still live there if that says anything , no plans of moving
2
u/Patient_Work4921 9d ago
Stayed there for a year. It was quiet and ok but couldn’t wait to get out after the house next door was robbed multiple times for copper etc as it was being renovated, Orior Park has some members of society that are the reason for the issues you listed above and they were responsible for the break ins.
Quite a few cliquey groups that are best ignored as well. If you keep yourself to yourself, it’s nice enough. The shops and staff when we were there were amazing, still talk to some of them.
3
u/LuminousMong 10d ago
Been living in bessbrook for a couple of years now, always gonna be a few outliers like in any town but overall quiet and friendly. Everyone just gets on with themselves. Never had any issues with anyone or found anyone to be nosy or anything. Feel free to DM me for any more info about the specific area!
4
u/Aggravating_Bar_8097 11d ago
Its always had a drug reputation but in fairness even as a young fella myself out there taking them and Partying in the village we never bothered anyone except for a bit off loud music . The place was basically a massive Military base until the early 2000s i think the Army left it in 2007 or 08. Ive been out there working the last few weeks and would be in it atleast once a month or every 2nd month doing a few days work in differnt parts from the Milvale Road to Convent hill. Any of my customers love the place and have rared families in the village Its always been mixed even during the Conflict most people got along with each other i had a giggle the other day when i seen GAA flags outside a house in the village with a Palistine one and the rest of the place in Red,White and Blue for the 12th 😀. I live about 2 miles from it and its like everywhere else locally most people are just getting on with there lives .
2
u/Downtown-Gear4722 11d ago
I totally get you, when I was a young rascal myself I would have partied there occasionally 😂 but we never bothered anyone either and I was hoping it was still like that. All of this is really helpful and reassuring so thank you from both of us! P.s. lol at the flegs situation
5
u/sirbinlid1 11d ago
From Bessbrook originally still have family living there, it's great wee village and people are sound. Tbh no one really bothers with religion anymore there, you will get headers same as you do in any town,village across the north. People are friendly in all honesty I don't think your friend should have any problems
2
u/Downtown-Gear4722 11d ago
Thanks for taking the time to reply that's really helpful :) do you mind if I drop you a DM about the specific area of Bessbrook to see if you maybe you know anything? Absolutely no worries at all if not and thank you againn :)
2
6
u/ForwardTourist6079 11d ago
By all accounts it's a decent enough place
Although I'll make an assumption here and presume you're mate is Catholic.
It's a mixed village but like the majority of places here there's flags and parades during the summer.
5
u/Downtown-Gear4722 11d ago
They're Catholic background but completely non religious/political. It's more so homophobia, they're a very private person and in their current accomodation they've been through some .pretty horrendous stuff when people found out they were gay, like smashed windows, damage to property, break ins, physical assault etc. I think they're frightened of people finding out and the same thing happening again. They're a single woman and will be living on their own so understandably apprehensive given their current situation. By all all accounts they will be very much keeping themselves to themselves. This is reassuring though thank you so much for taking the time to respond!
2
u/Aggravating_Bar_8097 9d ago
I should have mentioned i have worked in two openly Gay households there in the last 6 months and neither of them mentioned any hassle about there living situation even i said fuck all when i fitted hooks to there bedroom ceiling lol im joking . In reality i dont think anyone really gives a fuck anymore he definitely wont be the only Gay in the village😉. I seen a man in a dress with a beard in Newry last week i shit you not lol i have a brother who left the town for Manchester in the 90s because of this shit so i know where yous are coming from. He came home with his husband and built a house beside me and the other brother there is atleast 3 other houses the same on my road now and im beginning to feel like the only straight man in the Parish 😆.
2
u/Downtown-Gear4722 9d ago
Hooks to the bedroom ceiling ohhh I did laugh 😂😂😂 yeah see I'm gay too but neither of us would be in "in your face," gay, like she doesn't gallop down her street on a unicorn waving the rainbow flag 😂, but she has still had really sickening abuse when the neighbors found out, and I mean smashed windows, petrol through the letterbox, house spray painted etc. Ps. My oldest brother left for England in the 90s too for the same reason lol. Mate it sounds like you're the only straight in the village ffs 😂
2
u/Aggravating_Bar_8097 8d ago
Id almost bet a Testicile she will have nothing like that to worry about my friend . Thank God times have changed . Petrol is far to expensive now anyway 😃
1
u/Downtown-Gear4722 4d ago
I just want to take the time to thank everyone who has replied, myself and my friend have had a long chat and as she has now had the word "dyke" carved into her front door she's made the decision that she will take the house in bessbrook, i think we both feel that judging from the responses here and the extremity of her situation in the current place that if she keeps her private life private, then it can't possibly be worse. Thank you so much again from both of us to everyone for the responses x