Jerrettspass
{{Short description|Village in Northern Ireland}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name = Jerrettspass
| irish_name = Bealach Sheirit
| country = Northern Ireland
| static_image_name = Railway bridge, Jerrettspass - geograph.org.uk - 1353223.jpg
| static_image_width =
| static_image_caption = Railway bridge at Jerrettspass
| population =
| population_ref =
| map_type = Northern Ireland
| post_town = NEWRY
| postcode_area = BT
| postcode_district = BT35
| dial_code = 028
| constituency_westminster =
| irish_grid_reference = J0633
| unitary_northern_ireland =
| lieutenancy_northern_ireland = County Armagh
| constituency_ni_assembly =
| hide_services = yes
| coordinates = {{coord|54.237|-6.372|dim:5000|display=inline,title}}
| belfast_distance_mi =
| area_total_sq_mi =
}}
File:Jerrettspass Post Office Co Down. Feb 1988 - Flickr - sludgegulper.jpg
Jerrettspass ({{irish place name|Bealach Sheirit}}){{cite web|url = https://www.logainm.ie/136042.aspx |publisher = Placenames Database of Ireland | website = logainm.ie | title = Bealach Sheirit / Jerrettspass | accessdate = 6 January 2024 }} is a small village in County Armagh, Northern Ireland,{{cite web|url = https://www.newrymournedown.org/media/uploads/jerrettspass_and_lurganare_village_plan_2012.pdf | website = newrymournedown.org | title = Jerrettspass & Lurganare Cluster - Village Renewal and Development Plans | publisher = Newry, Mourne and Down District Council |date = July 2012 | accessdate = 6 January 2024 }} beside the River Blackwater, that forms the border with County Down. It is situated in the townland of Kilmonaghan, in the civil parish of Killevy and the historic barony of Orior Lower, approximately 4 miles north of the city of Newry. It lies within the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.{{cite web|url = https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-commissioned-table-ct0046.xlsx | title = Census 2021 - Person and household estimates for settlements CT0046 | website = NISRA.gov.uk }}
History
The English name of the village, Jerrettspass, is reputedly a corruption of a former name, "Gerald" or "Gerrard's Pass".{{cite web |title=Jerrettspass and District | date = 1988 | first = Andrew | last = Halliday | url = https://www.poyntzpass.co.uk/uploads/Jerrettspass_and_District.pdf |work =Poyntzpass and District Local History Society | via = poyntzpass.co.uk |accessdate=11 December 2023}}
There is a 1730s lock at Jerrettspass along a canal that was made at the same time, although was replaced by a railway in the 1850s.{{fact|date=February 2024}} The canal, known as the Newry Canal, closed in the 1930s.{{cite web | url = https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/newry-canal-should-restored-before-22116999 | website = belfastlive.co.uk | first = Shaun | last = Keenan | title = Newry Canal should be restored 'before it's too late' | date = 9 November 2021 | accessdate = 12 January 2024 | quote = the [Newry] canal closed in 1936 [..] NMD Council owns the section of Newry Canal from Victoria Lock to just outside Jerrettspass }} The nearby rail bridge, towpath accommodation bridge and canal bridge are subject to protection as listed buildings.
The Presbyterian church at Jerrettspass was founded in 1801 and, in 1902, was joined with the nearby Drumbanagher church to form the First Drumbanagher and Jerrettspass Presbyterian Church. It was subsequently united in a joint pastorage with Kingsmill Presbyterian Church.{{cite web|url = https://www.kandjpc.com/ | website = kandjpc.com | title = Kingsmills and Jerrettspass Presbyterian Churches | accessdate = 6 January 2024 }}{{cite book | title = A History of Congregations in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, 1610-1982 | publisher = Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland | date = 1982 | page = 413 | isbn = 0950144665 | editor-last = Bailie | editor-first = W. Desmond }}
As of the early 20th century, the village of Jerrettspass had a post office, two shops, a public house, blacksmith's forge, a school and church.{{cite journal | journal = Journal of the Poyntzpass and District Local History Society| jstor = 48636629 | title = Porter's Shop | url = https://www.poyntzpass.co.uk/uploads/02-Porters-Shop.pdf | first = Gillian | last = Ferris | issue = 15 | date = October 2019 | pages = 9–18 }} The post office, which had been in operation for approximately 150 years, closed in 2009.{{cite journal | journal = Journal of the Poyntzpass and District Local History Society| jstor = 48571906 | title = Post Office Closes After 150 Years | first = John | last = Campbell | page = 61 | issue = 14 | date = November 2017 }}
In May 2021, the National Crime Agency discovered 11 firearms in Jerrettspass as part of an investigation into organised crime. It was described as "most significant firearms find in NI in a decade".{{cite web|url = https://www.armaghi.com/news/newry-news/assault-rifle-pistols-and-machine-guns-most-significant-firearms-find-in-ni-in-a-decade/135217 | title = Assault rifle, pistols and machine guns 'most significant firearms find in NI in a decade' | date = 21 May 2021 | website = armaghi.com | accessdate = 6 January 2024 }}{{cite web|url = https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-57195078 | publisher = BBC News | title = Jerrettspass: Eleven firearms discovered in County Armagh | date = 21 May 2021 | accessdate = 6 January 2024 }}
Demography
See also
{{commonscat|Jerrettspass}}