London-Newry, a fictitious town in the country of Irelantis created by the incredible artist that is Sean Hillen.
I recently enjoyed a road trip from Dublin to Newry to participate, albeit as an observer in celebrating the Newry Arts Festival. The journey was very enjoyable, even though Irish Rail had selected this Bank Holiday weekend to carry out service work on the rail lines between Dublin and Newry. This resulted in a very enjoyable road trip made up of trains, buses and cars.
I shared the road with Sean Hillen along with fellow photographers Bob Dixon by bus and train before being joined by Arron Kirwan who met us at Newry train station in his car, we then set about exploring Newry.
Back in the 1980's I was a regular visitor to Newry, crossing the border and doing your best to avoid customs and army checks, all in the name of cheap booze, chocolate and anything else that couldn't be bought cheaper, or at all in Dublin.
After exploring new places and catching up with old familiar places we made our way to the Newry and Mourne Museum where we were treated to an incredible presentation where Sean took us back in time to the creation of Irelantis along with its fictitious towns like London-Newry, as well as his many other works which included his fantastic documentary photographs of The Troubles in Ireland.
Afterwards we made our way through Newry and onto the train station for the journey back to Dublin.
I enjoyed re-exploring a town I know of old, but this time with the view from a local artist. Thank you Sean.
Words & images ©Jim Leonard With thanks to Sean Hillen, Arron Kirwan and Bob Dixon
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