Newry was founded in 1144 and is one of Northern Irelands oldest towns. It is the fourth-largest city in Northern Ireland and eigth on the island of Ireland, with the Newry and Mourne area having an approximate population of over  27,430 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population over  87,000.

Newry City grew as a market town and in 1742 became a port  with the addition of Britain or Irelands first ever summit-level canal, linking Newry to Lough Neagh. Newry was granted City status in March 2002 along with Lisburn as part of the Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee celebrations.