Down Recorder

2014 & 2015 CIPR Newspaper of the Year. Visit: www.thedownrecorder.co.uk Email: editor@thedownrecord It cost 4d per issue. Clarke, and died in 1883, aged 73. J.

ON New Year’s Eve, 1836, the first issue of the Downpatrick Recorder was printed by hand and delivered to its readers. In the 1880s, steam power was introduced to make the production process faster and more effective. Today, over 170 years later, the Down Recorder is created using the most up-to-date computer and digital technology. Production methods may have changed but the same care and craftsm

anship that went into that first issue is still evident today. And that’s what makes us Down District’s best-selling newspaper. The paper was first published, as The Downpatrick Recorder and was the first newspaper published in Downpatrick and was owned by Conway Pilson. Pilson was an astute businessman who found out that the English daily papers were delivered to Newry port on their way to Belfast and arranged for copies to be delivered to his Downpatrick printworks early where he copied the imperial news, thus getting the up-to-date news on the streets hours before the other papers were delivered to the town. In those days there was no such thing as copyright and papers shamelessly stole each other's copy. This strategy enabled the paper to grow from its initial print run of 875 impressions to over 5000 copies within a few months. Conway Pilson relinquished control of the paper in 1876 to Joseph S. Clarke died in 1890. His widow married W.Y. Crichton in 1894 and their family continues to produce the paper to this day. From 6 December 2000 an on-line version of the paper became available. The Down Recorder is one of Northern Ireland’s oldest newspapers with a history dating back to 1836. With its circulation, independently certified by the Audit Bureau of Circulations, the Down Recorder circulates from Comber in the north of County Down to Newcastle in the south, and from Lisburn in the west to the Ards Peninsula in the east. It is the best-selling weekly newspaper in the towns and villages of Downpatrick, Ballynahinch, Saintfield, Ballygowan, Crossgar, Killyleagh, Strangford, Ardglass and Killough, and is the second best-selling weekly newspaper in Newcastle, Castlewellan, Dundrum, Clough, Killinchy, Comber and Carryduff. The Down Recorder has the strongest pe*******on of the Down District marketplace of any of the weekly papers circulating locally. An average weekly readership of 68,000 means that the Down Recorder goes into 93 per cent of all local homes.

10 things you didn't know
about the Down Recorder

1 Nearly half a ton of metal was used each week when the Recorder was produced using the old 'hot metal' process. Every Monday morning, metal used during the previous week was melted down on the premises and formed into ingots which Linotype type-setting machines transformed into metal type.

2 Each week several hundred copies of the Recorder are sent overseas to places as far away as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and India.

3 Forty five years ago a full Recorder print run took around 12 hours to complete. Today's print run is completed in less than an hour, with a greatly increased circulation.

4 The decision to produce the Recorder in a tabloid form in 1983 was a spectacular success. Within months, we won the prestigious Rothman's Press Awards for the best provincial weekly in Northern Ireland.

5 A year's supply of Recorders, with every page placed end-to-end, would reach from Downpatrick to New York!

6 The Down Recorder is haunted! Our Church Street premises, formerly Downpatick's main post office, is reputedly haunted by a postman who is believed to have died in mysterious circumstances.

7 The Recorder has only had seven editors in 170 years. The longest serving was W. Crichton, who remained at the helm for 65 years.

8 The Recorder has never missed an issue in 170 years. Even during the war years and power strikes in the 1970s the paper has hit the streets every week.

9 The Recorder carries on average around 200 stories per week, ranging from one paragraph reports to specialised features.

10 The Recorder depends a great deal upon correspondents and officials from the district's wealth of clubs, societies and organisations who send in news reports or let us know of forthcoming events. It's a service which we deeply appreciate and never pass over lightly.

23/07/2024

This week’s Down Recorder back page: Olympic dream – From Portaferry to Paris: support shown for Ciara

Captain Ronnie’s big day

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23/07/2024

This week’s Down Recorder front page: ‘Solution’ to aid Dundrum

Fleadh an Dúin success
Olympic fever in Portaferry for hero Ciara
Minister signs in during visit to railway

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16/07/2024

This week’s Down Recorder back page: Down back in big time – Sam Maguire football awaits Mournemen

Locals at family fun day

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16/07/2024

This week’s Down Recorder front page: Concern over dog attacks

Castlewellan Show success
Smiles at Twelfth parade
Croker success for Down

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10/07/2024

This week’s Down Recorder back page: Off the Laois - crucial fixtures to take place

Captain Brian's big day

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10/07/2024

This week’s Down Recorder front page: Official rap for ex-MLA Brown

Eamon marks 100th birthday
12-page election special

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03/07/2024

This week’s Down Recorder front page: £250m investment in Downpatrick

Beelemania in Teconnaught
Big turn-out for Saul tractor run
Down Ladies in All-Ireland bid

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18/06/2024

This week’s Down Recorder back page: Down prepare for Sligo test

Robbie wins Co Down 5KM elite race
Thrilling derby win for locals

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18/06/2024

This week’s Down Recorder front page: Ballynahinch is ‘burglary hotspot’

Loughinisland Massacre 30 years on. See our four-page special

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11/06/2024

This week’s Down Recorder back page: When in Rome - Portaferry's Ciara wins Euro gold

All-Ireland success for Down minors

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11/06/2024

This week’s Down Recorder front page: Plan to expand facility

Golden girl Ciara wins 1500m final
Commemorations in Ballynahinch to celebrate D-Day
All-Ireland glory for Down minors

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04/06/2024

This week’s Down Recorder back page: Beyond the wall – Event returns for third year in-a-row

Saul still in league contention

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04/06/2024

This week’s Down Recorder front page: Rescue team fund appeal

Purr-fect picnic day
Castlewellan Show launch
Tony named clubman of the year

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28/05/2024

This week’s Down Recorder back page: Irish Cup call-up – sister face busy time

Portaferry’s Ciara easily breaks Irish 800m record
Killyleagh Summer League

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28/05/2024

This week’s Down Recorder front page: Dogfight for Westminster

Principal hopes to bring A-Levels to St Colmcille’s
Captain Dorrian leads by example to win All-Ireland

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21/05/2024

This week’s Down Recorder back page: Back again – Mills prepare for another Clarence final

Dundrum cricket action

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21/05/2024

This week’s Down Recorder front page: Top retail stores eye key sites to kick-start recovery

Down Netball Club 40th anniversary celebrations
Gemma Focused on raising money in Mournes climb
Cue ace Darren is top hotshot to lift NI crown

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14/05/2024

This week’s Down Recorder back page: Ready for Irish Open – Rory coming to Newcastle

Celtic Bhoys FC secures Amateur League promotion
Success for local fighters

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14/05/2024

This week’s Down Recorder front page: Dumped tyres spark appeal

Capturing bygone times
200th anniversary of Seaforde church
Down canter to Limerick victory

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07/05/2024

This week’s Down Recorder back page: Honours decided – busy weekend in Newcastle League

Ardglass lift Newcastle League Premier Division crown
Down netballers claim shield

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07/05/2024

This week’s Down Recorder front page: Yobs force Saintfield man to flee home after kill threat

Legen-dairy day at Claragh Bridge
Bobbie in picture with exhibition
Mahon magic helps Ardglass seal title

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30/04/2024

This week’s Down Recorder back page: Seaside derby – Ardglass and Killough to contest league decider

Heartbreak for Down in Clones
Locals at Ulster National

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30/04/2024

This week’s Down Recorder front page: McMurray new Alliance MLA

Carl delivers knockout talk
Anna’s Superhear Abseil on aid of cancer centre
Heartbreak for Down minutes from victory

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23/04/2024

This week’s Down Recorder back page: Clones clash – Down to face Armagh in Ulster semi-final test

'Hinch celebrate cup win

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23/04/2024

This week’s Down Recorder front page: 34 arrested for stalking

Rachel's Ukraine miracle
Remi show his model behaviour
Down seek revenge in semi clash

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16/04/2024

This week’s Down Recorder back page: It’s showtime – Castlewellan Town to contest Junior Shield final tonight

Temple ladies awards

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16/04/2024

This week’s Down Recorder front page: Death sparks call for bypass start

Dundrum woman Patricia reaping benefits of weight loss programme
FREE: Nine-page Home & Home guide
Clones awaits for Down in Ulster semi-finals

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09/04/2024

This week’s Down Recorder back page: Pathway to Sam Maguire

Enthralling league action makes return across county
Cracking Tollymore Easter fun

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09/04/2024

This week’s Down Recorder front page: Ambitious Saintfield park gets £1m boost

Country Harmony success
Goal-den start for Harney as GAA season returns

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02/04/2024

This week’s Down Recorder back page: Easter upset

Ballynahinch Rugby Club U-21 side lift Club Academy Cup
Siobhán Seven success

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Address

2-4 Church Street
Downpatrick
BT306EP

Telephone

+442844613711

Website

http://www.thedownrecorder.co.uk/

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Videos

Down Recorder 6th May edition

The Down Recorder is still here and we’re still publishing – just like we do every week. Remember to buy the Down Recorder and add to a grocery shop for a loved one who is possibly in self-isolation. The paper is also online and you can view the digital edition of the paper exactly at it’s printed at https://bit.ly/39R3HjF – with prices starting from just 84p per week.

Elvis on tour video

Elvis is back! The king of rock 'n roll made a special appearance in Killough this evening where he led a convoy of cars through the village in support of frontline NHS workers 😎👏🕺

22nd April 2020 edition

We are still working and still here for you… Remember to buy the Down Recorder in shops as well and add to a grocery shop for a loved one who is possibly in self-isolation. The paper is also online and you can view the digital edition of the paper exactly at it’s printed at https://bit.ly/39R3HjF and prices start from 84p per week. There are such great stories about the community helping out during COVID-19.. and much, much more #servingthecommunity #heresince1836

Nurse video plea

Listen this heartfelt plea for people to stay at home this Easter. Downpatrick mum Tracy Curran is a nurse in the Downe Hospital and has isolated herself in a caravan due to her husband and daughter having underlying health problems. What a hero and there are many on the frontline just like Tracy 👏👏👏

Down Recorder 8th April edition

We are still working and still trying to bring the best to our readers. Remember to buy the Down Recorder in shops as well and add to a grocery shop for a loved one who is possibly in self-isolation. The paper is also online and you can view the digital edition of the paper exactly at it’s printed at 👉 https://bit.ly/39R3HjF There are such great stories about the community helping out during COVID-19 #servingthecommunity #heresince1836

Read in today’s Recorder about Downpatrick couple Kirsty and BJ McMenamin's baby triplets. They were overjoyed to learn at their baby reveal celebrations that they were having a daughter and two sons. 👫🎈🎊👏

Flash flooding at Church Street in Downpatrick early this afternoon caused stock damage at John Young Carpets in the town. Market Street was also affected and a manhole cover was lifted off with the force from the water in Scotch Street.

We kindly received this video from Helen Marks of the neglected dog in Newcastle which appeared in last week’s paper. Helen said: “Just a little update from Lord Brian! Here he is enjoying the sunshine today. He still has a lot of improvement to make but is getting better every day. He loves people and is good with other dogs.”

Don’t miss our 12-page supplement this week: Loughinisland – What really happened • We have coverage of the shocking exposé • Reaction from the families affected • The Loyalist killers who first struck eights years before the pub attack • In-depth coverage of the rifle used and the collusion with Special Branch • Major failings in the RUC investigation. And much more…