As a result of watching this "A Month of Sun Days" series about Newcastle, a lot of your memories of summers spent in the seaside town and the surrounding area came flooding back. You've been sharing them with us .....

Frank Campbell - June '08
I have been sailing in Newcastle for almost 10 years. It is the best sport you could ever hope to do. The magnificent views of the bay with the majestic Mournes backdrop can be quite stunning. We have a small and friendly but vibrant club. The craic really is 90! Newcastle Yacht Club is situated at the harbour. We race Sunday afternoons. Anyone is welcome to call down and have a look to see what we are about. All ages and abilities welcome. We also welcome windsurfers as members.

Ciaran Crilly - Apr '07
Although I just lived up the road from Newcastle in Castlewellan, Newcastle or the ‘Shore’ as we called it will always hold a special magic for me.

It was the place that as a child I first remember going with my parents to watch Duffy’s Circus in Donard Park, boarding the big Double – Decker for the 4 mile journey to the shore I also remember the first Sunday in June every year when Castlewellan and Annsborough evacuated en masse for Feis Sunday in Newcastle’s St Patrick’s Park. It was always a great day out and although we were supposed to be enjoying our Gaelic heritage, we always took time out to visit Joyland, the boating pond and the pitch and putt.

Happy memories indeed, and during the summer in Newcastle it was great to be a teenager. As 14, year olds we hitched from Castlewellan to Newcastle during the summer holidays to go to the rock pool on a daily basis come sunshine or rain and on the long walk from the bus station we were sure to get at least a couple of ice cream cones compliments of the many local school students we knew were working as ice cream vendors in the cafes during the summer holidays. Coming out of the rock pool shivering a few hours later you would have killed for a bag of chips and often pooled our meagre resources to purchase a bag of chips, sit on the promenade wall and watch the talent go by.

In winter and summer we would make the journey to the Palace or Ritz cinema to see all the latest movies, ‘Gold Finger’ starring Sean Connery was I think the first movie I remember seeing in the Palace and a few years later sitting in the back row on a first date watching a western called ‘McKenna’s Gold’, buying a couple of single cigarettes and putting them into a discarded empty packet to impress my date.

I remember working in the ‘Strand’ as a young teenager during school holidays where my job was as dishwasher before gaining promotion to ice cream maker. I also worked a few years in the ‘Kent Amusements’ dishing out the change. You had to work long hours, often 8.30am to 10.30pm or midnight for little money, but we didn’t care, it was summer and we hadn’t a care in the world. This was in the late sixties pre-troubles and the ‘hikers’ were in town with there long hair imatating flower power and the hippies. The Bee Gees song ‘Are you going to San Francesco was one of the most popular records on the juke box in the Kent amusements at the time followed by ‘Young Girl’ and to this day these songs bring back many happy memories of those long warm summer nights, leaving work and heading along the promenade to the band stand to hear Castlewellan band the ‘Vibrolas’. We often missed the last bus home but hitching up the road at midnight was never a problem back then.

As we got older and more sophisticated at 17 or 18, Curran’s Hall on a Friday night was the place to be and the first band I remember seeing there was big Tom and the Mainliners. This was the height of the showband era and I recall all the big bands playing Curran’s Hall. I also remember my girlfriend being turned away once because she was wearing hot-pants, which was in breach of Pat Curran’s strict dress code. It was also mineral bar and crisps only inside but that didn’t deter the large crowds that flocked to Curran’s on Friday and Saturday nights.

All too quickly it was the early seventies, the troubles were in full swing, Curran’s had closed and our innocent childhood gone for ever, but the happy memories linger on.

Shirley Cooper (nee Ross) - Mar '07
I lived in Newcastle Co.Down from about 1946 to 58 My name was Shirley Ross and lived in Tullybrannigan road I would love to hear from anyone who might remember me I have been back a few times but only met a few old friends so if anyone sees this could they get in touch many thanks Shirley Cooper (nee Ross)

John Dalzell- Jan '07
Is that the legendary Sean Quinn who kicked off the Hootenanny in the Harbour Bar on a Saturday evening in the 60's with the accordeon playing Captain Pugwash? Amazing happy times.And the Pioneer Showband....did Ronnie Greer paly guitar with them...would love to know,Giannineo

Desmond Walker- Jan '07

I was born in Donaghadee,and our Sunday School annual picnic was a trip to Newcastle for the day.Imagine leaving one seaside town to have fun in another! Bangor was another great place to frequent(remember Ruby Murray singing 6 miles from Bangor to Donaghadee) I still have the original record.On Sunday afternoon the fishing boats were used to take the tourist and summer visitors, who sometimes holidayed for a few weeks from Belfast - over to the Copeland Islands. There was also "Pierrots"down near the lighthouse. They were mostly English music hall types and only stayed for the summer months. Other entertainment was the circus-which came every year-and set up in afield behind the church,where we would creep in under the canvas. One other popular entertainment was the Regal Cinema,where I worked as Projectionist for a Mr Carr,who managed it with his wife.Their daughter Laura went to England to be a singer. My father worked as head gardiner for theDeLacherois family,and we left Ireland for Canada in the mid 50's. My brother also lives in Canada and when he was a "teen"worked for Harland & Wolf in Belfast. Lest I forget, we also spent hours in Joyland,an amusement arcade,with dodge-em cars and Real Live Bingo where you got to throw the ball yourself.  Thats all for now.Regarding the Belfast bombing you can E-Mail me(I was there)TTFN

Lorna Hall - Jan '07
I have lived in newcastle all my life, I am 14, and I love every square inch of it, my Nanny and Grandad live up at the Harbour, and it is the best sight for looking at Newcastle, it's also handier for going to the rockpool! and My other Grandparents own a shop down the down called Keowns Jewellery and it the best little shop! And the people of newcastle are the best! they are really nice!

Ciara - Nov '06
Newcastle is the best wee town by far! We moved there when I was 3 and im loving every minute of it!

Donald Cameron, Lake District - Sep '06
A week's holiday in Newcastle was the highlight of my childhood days. Initially we traveled from Dromore to Newcastle by train, yes a real steam train!. Because it was the end of the line, Newcastle station had a train turntable and large wooden water tower.

The Pierrots (well I also thought it was spelt Pieros) were just great. I remember Lian and Dinky well and also remember that before he became the 'gaffer' he also appeared in earlier seasons with the 'gaffer' being a guy called David from Bangor. I actually appeared on stage one afternoon in the talent contest, playing the Black Halk Waltz, (what was the name of the lady pianist?). I won that day and went onto the Friday evening final where I lost to a little blonde, blue eyed girl!

The other special treat was going to the pictures, especially the Ritz. The cheapest seats at the front were wooden. As I grew older and actively sought out 'blue eyed blonds' I migrated to the back row which had double seats - wonderful days (and nights!)

Patrick Burns - April '06
As a very excited six year old i traveled by bus to newcastle for a day out as a treat before returning to school we past fields on the way into town filled with old buses railway carriages trams wooden huts which people used for holiday accommodation when we arrived in town we headed for the beach beside the sleive donard hotel where jaunting cars waited to be hired after spending all day on the beach we returned to the bus station for the return journey home but not before admiring the fantastic display of match box toys in a shop across the road from the corner cafe [ now the top of the town ] which sadly we could not afford .

A few years after that we came on holidays to newcastle we stayed in wooden bungalows down the castlewellan road were the caravan site is beside the burrendale hotel we called the bungalows the cosy cots was this there right name at the age of sixteen i started working in Quinns shop on the main street and enjoyed a very busy social life !

Dancing in central ballroom to the resident band jim byrne and the pioneers the dances were held six nights a week in the summer other dances venues included st marys hall dancing to tony g ford and the seekers also the annsley hall were phelin williams promoted pop bands from all over ireland, other entertainment included palace cinema the juke box in the broadway cafe and the late night shows on the band stand also joyland amusements.

Later in the 70s i organised 2001 disco shows in the old ritz cinema now a amusement arcade, after that i opened happy days novelties were i worked for twenty years, after i retired i organised the official all Ireland busking competition on the central promenade.

Over the years newcastle has been very important to me both social and business i enjoyed the 60s 70s in newcastle which bring back happy memories strolling down the new promenade i was saddened to see vandals have already broke lights on a show piece promenade. I hope visitors and locals get the good weather and peace to enjoy the promenade and i hope this article stirred happy memorys of early days in newcastle.

Joanne McCrum - Feb '06
Message for Patrick Burns, below.
Hallo I've just read your article on the Newcastle - A Month of Sundays site

What a delight to read about the Pierrots.
I grew up in Newcastle - my Mum and Dad (Charlie and Iris McCrum) had Irene's Cake shop at the top of the town - across the road from the Donard Hotel - and we lived above it.

Every Saturday night, during my early teens I was there, standing on the wall with my friends enjoying the music. I hadn't remembered any of the names apart from Liam's - I still have a very clear image of his face. D'you remember the wooden boxes they used to rattle in front of everyone? I was up on stage once as a small child and can still feel the atmosphere. What a shame Newcastle didn't treasure the bandstand.

I have just this one old postcard which looks to be about early 50's.

Bobby Magee - Jan '06
Bob by living in Ontario, great times in Newcastle during the late fifties, my pals and I spent many a weekend staying at the youth hostels. Are they still around? Also, we used to hang out at the Kent Cafe playing the juke-box and hoping to meet girls. 30 years later as always when home in Belfast, i make a point of taking my family/grandchildren down to admire its beauty. ........thanks for the memories.

Jude Whyte - February '05
What does Pierrot mean? I always thought it was Pieros i.e near the Pier which on reflection it wasn't , any answers?

Maureen Hutchens nee Roberts - February '05
I was born and lived in Newcastle from 1952 until I moved to Canada in 1973. I went to St. Mary's Girls school on main street beside the Church. I worked in the Broadway Cafe for a couple of years as a teenager. In the summer I was in the ice cream window. I loved it there seeing all the holiday makers having a good time and of course I could see all the cute boys go by.

After a few years in the Cafe I got a job in Kays ladies and childrens wear. The store was then opposite the train station. I also worked in the men's store of Kays which was beside Smalls butcher shop. Being a local, I loved the summer holidays when I was young, but as I got older it was nice to see the tourists leave and we got our town back to ourselves. I loved the beach. As a young child I used to go to the beach off the Downs Road and clean my grannies silver in the sand. She paid me enough to go to the Lido cafe and buy a ice-cream drink. That was heaven. I roller-skated in the old plaza cinema, danced in Currans ballroom and went to the pictures, where "Torchie" would not allow us to kiss and cuddle in the back seats. She threatened to tell our parents.

It was such innocent fun. I now live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I have returned to Newcastle a few times over the years. I am sad to say it needs a good face lift, or else I saw the town as a child through red tinted glasses. Newcastle is a beautiful town, with lots of potential.
It was so nice to find this page on the internet. There is still part of my heart at home which no one can own.

Mark Curran

As a child I remember going to Newcastle on very sunny days. Playing in the ocean, running in the sand - what a great life. It has been a life time since I was last in Ireland. I miss the people, the small towns and the tradition of Ireland. I have lived the last 27 years in the U.S. and Canada. I now call Calgary, Alberta home.

'Newcastle Memory'

Each time I travel back home and see Newcastle, although originally from Ballymena, I think to the time I visited there as a humble little Boy Scout - but left a news-headline....

Click here to read on .....

Martin O' Hare - now living in Copenhagen, Denmark

I lived in Newcasle from the age of 12. I worked in the summer in joyland and some of the other places mentioned by other people. It's not the same working and growing up in Newcastle as it is as a guest. I know this because I earlier lived in Belfast and would come with my Mother, Granny and aunts as a day tripper and some times stay a few days. The days were long, warm. The sea was always cold but we accepted this as normal. I remember being dried off after coming out of the sea and it felt like I was being sand papered to death. I also remember the ponies on the beach, the dulace ( seaweed you can eat ) and the ice cream from the Broadway was the highlight of a great day.

Mervyn Ellis

My favourite memories of Newcastle.....

I am now 48 years of age, but when I was a child some 40 years ago we stayed at Windsor Caravan Park. My brothers and myself had great fun. The song "If you're going to San Francisco" reminds me of the amusements and the shows that went on at the promenade. Also the time I walked behind my family to the caravan park, my mother nearly died when a car stopped to offer us a lift. The walks into Tollymore Forest Park. Yes I have very good memories of Newcastle Co Down.

Sean Quinn

Like Gerry McCrudden (see your responses) I was one of the entertainers who played (the accordian) in the Pierrot Show on the Bandstand on the "Promenade". I was local so big Liam Heffernan let me off doing the collecting boxes, I got paid in bags of pennies. Liam later became floor manager on the long-running RTE TV series "Glenroe"...he and Dinky were from a long line of "show people" who used to tour Ireland doing variety concerts. Also in the show in my time were the Dublin couple Jimmy and Mrs Stone, and the pop singer Johnny Bourgoyne who was actually another local lad - Stuartie Neill.

Later I started a small band with another local musician Maurice Rodgers, and we played in a number of local venues. The Showbands used to come to St. Mary's Hall in the 60's and occasionally there were marquee carnivals in a field on the Dundrum Road with big names like the Royal and the Plattermen. Pat Curran who ran the Central Ballroom, kept to using a resident band, the Pioneers for many years, but later on he started to have some of the big bands like the Miami...the Central was always thronged on a Saturday night with dancers from all over County Down.

There was an annual Fireworks display as part of the town's Civic Week for many years and for many years navy ships used to anchor in the bay for a week and we could charter boat trips to go out and visit them.

There were many attractions to living and growing up in Newcastle, including the Golf Course, the Beach, the sand hills, the mountains and the forests.....sounds idyllic doesn't it. It seemed to rain a lot, perhaps because of the mountains..there was a local saying that if you could see the mountains it was going to rain and if you couldn't see them it was raining!

Finally, one of my fondest memories is fly-fishing after dark on a summer's evening for sea trout in the Shimna River, while listening to the music of the Juke Box in the Joyland amusement arcade beside Castle Bridge.....Buddy Holly, Silm Whitman....that dates me doesn't it?

Patrick Burns

It was with great interest that I was looking at your web site and came across memories of Newcastle relating to the seaside Pierrots shows which brought pleasure and entertainment to thousands of holiday makers in the 60s during the summer months. One of the acts I remember was the late Edwin Heath, a master hypnotist, who had the audience spellbound with his 3 shows a day. Other artists were Sheila and Gerry (see your responses ) and a singer by the stage name of Johnny Bourgoyne (Stuartie Neill). Where is he now? Where did he come from?

Sean Quinn mentioned about playing on the Pierrots with a local band with 2 brothers. I think the band he was talking about were from Castlewellan and had 3 brothers playing in it. (see your responses ) Their names were Vince, Gerry and Jimmy Poland, who were called The Vibrolas, who along with Jimmy McCabe, Paddy Garland and Sean Boden went off and toured Germany and were called Rico Sound. Sean Boden returned home and joined the Hilton Showband. Gerry went to Scotland and the last report I heard runs an entertainment agency. The other boys live in or around the Newcastle area. Some still play music part-time.

Lots of other bands and artists played on the Pierrot bandstand. Local bands like Tony G. Ford and the Seekers, the Telestars from Belfast, plus lots of other fantastic bands who regularly played late night gigs 11 pm to 1am on the seafront to a packed promenade during those warm summer nights.

I would like to contact any artist or band who played the Pierrots or anyone who knows where they are now. I am also interested in any old photographs of the bandstand, artists or bands who played at that time - with the hope of collecting enough material to produce a book to mark this great era. I am also interested in any old photographs of Newcastle.

For a trip down memory lane go to Rowallane Gardens (Saintfield) where the original bandstand now rests. Is it too late to bring the bandstand back to Newcastle where it belongs? I swear if you stand quietly you can hear the music, the laughter and the waves gently breaking against the seawall.

Yours faithfully (lost in time)

To respond to any of Patrick's questions, leave a message or information at the bottom of the page. You can also e-mail ypam-online@bbc.co.uk .

Read Patrick's article on Newcastle's joke shop with the 'Happy Days in Sunny Newcastle' sign .

'Just a Guy'

I had family who lived near Newcastle and when I was about 13 stayed with them during the summer of 1969. While all around Northern Ireland tensions were building, I was totally unaware, because I was 13 and the coolest place to go was the (sorry can't remember the name) the amusement place. There was a jukebox and my favourite song was Otis Redding's Dock Of The Bay. I fed in the coins, selected the disc and all the "hippy" types gathered around the juke box to listen to the song. Looking back it was Your Place & mine all right, but it was a place somewhere between Newcastle and Georgia. A sense of wonder and a sense of satisfaction ... Then came the seventies and nothing would ever be the same again.

TO READ OTHER RESPONSES - CLICK HERE

We're keen to hear your summer memories about Newcastle, or any of the other seaside towns in Northern Ireland for that matter. Whether taking boat trips to the Copeland Islands for a picnic or braving the big dipper at Barrys in Portrush, why not drop us a line by filling in the form at the bottom of the page.

Dipping into the Audio Archive might stir up a few more memories for you. In "Holiday Places Apart", Sean Rafferty takes a journey into Newcastle's past to find out what forms of entertainment where on offer to keep visitors happy. Sean himself remembers Seamus Heaney serving up icecream in the Savoy Cafe!

Brian Willis took his children for their first holiday to Newcastle in 1963. He also took his sketchbook along. View some of the resulting sketches.