Children from Clontifleece School provided a fitting guard of honour as the district said farewell to one of its leading champions, Dr Liam Bradley, who died on 12 March. Dr Bradley (80) was a former teacher at the Abbey Primary School, Newry, chairman of the Warrenpoint Historical Society and a founding member of the Maiden of the Mournes Festival. It was at Clontifleece, however, under the watchful eye of his father William, also principal of the small rural school, Liam's appetite for knowledge was first whetted. A talent for maths emerged at an early age, but it was with English he would later make his mark, becoming a senior lecturer in the English Department at Stranmillis College, Belfast. Indeed, the school founded by the memorably named Narcissus Batt in 1839 was the starting point for a Bradley teaching dynasty - six of Liam's nine siblings chose the same profession and his brother Arthur succeeded his father as headmaster. Progressing to the Abbey Grammar School, Liam won the King's Scholarship in 1946 and was among the first male intake at St Mary's Teacher Training College in Belfast. After qualifying in 1948, it was back to the familiar surroundings of County Down as a teacher at the Abbey Primary. Settling in Warrenpoint - the town in which he was born to William and Rose Bradley in 1927 - he married Ann, daughter of prominent builder Felix and Rose O'Hare on 26 December 1957. While helping to raise a family of five children in the ensuing years, Liam also dedicated time to further study. The research project for his Master of Philosophy from the University of London in 1974 was a study of the Ulster novelist William Carleton. This was followed three years later by a Doctorate for research into the poetry of the Young Ireland Movement as published in The Nation newspaper. Sportsman An equally dedicated sportsman, he was a key member of the Warrenpoint GAA team that lifted the Down Championship in 1953 - an honour he shared with his brother Ted. Proud of the family's link's to the Red Star ferry service, he channelled his energies into sailing. Helping to found Carlingford Lough Yacht Club and more recently Warrenpoint Boat Club, his competitive nature saw him win many trophies. His enthusiasm for the water never deserted him and he continued at the helm of his cherished Wandering Aengus until it was damaged beyond repair in a storm two years ago. Following retirement from Stranmillis in 1988, he also embraced the joys of golf, playing out of Kilkeel, was a stalwart of the Warrenpoint Feis and Newry Drama Festival and still found room for gardening, reading and furniture-making. However, the scholar in him were never too far away and he helped Clontifleece celebrate 100 years in 1989 by compiling its 'Brief History' with all proceeds from the sale of the book being donated to the school fund. As chairman of the Warrenpoint Historical Society there were many other publications and indeed programmes both radio and television, that gained from either his pen or voice. His knowledge was called on during the making of an edition of the BBC 'Who do you think you are?" series about the family roots of acclaimed actor Jeremy Irons, when the trail cooled on leading to Warrenpoint. Growth and Progress Arguably, Dr Bradley's greatest contribution to local history was his 1998 publication Warrenpoint Origins and Developments. Meticulously researched it traced 200 years of growth and progress for the town and was snapped up by readers as far away as Italy, Poland, Australia and the USA. The book was also, in his own words, a challenge to others: "it is to be hoped that this study may encourage further researchers to undertake more specific investigations into the history of Warrenpoint." Perhaps they were among those pupils in navy blue or the mourners who packed St Peter's Roman Catholic Church for Requiem Mass, celebrated by Fr Peter McNeill, on Friday 14 March. Music included "The Town I Loved So Well," with the sentiment referring to Warrenpoint on this occasion. However, it had added resonance as the songwriter, Phil Coulter, was among the international acts Dr Bradley helped draw to Warrenpoint as an integral member of the hard-working Maiden of the Mournes Festival team. Designed to put the town firmly on the map as a tourist destination and boost the local economy in the process, the Festival also adds fresh impetus to the summer season in August for those closer to home, including his eight grandchildren. Always anxious to promote the positive face of Warrenpoint, he wasn't afraid to disagree when he thought its best interests weren't being served. For instance, he helped spearhead the 'Save Our Seafront' campaign against the local Harbour Authority's application, which included plans for a deep-water quay and cargo handling area at the Old Town Dock. He was an active member of Newry/Warrenpoint Probus Club in his later years too. His devotion to his native town and concern about all matters educational continued to exercise him, even during recent illness, which was borne with great dignity. Dr Liam Bradley is survived by his wife Ann, son Cormac and daughters Maeve, Mona, Eithne and Aileen. Interment took place to Warrenpoint Cemetery. - Courtesy of the Mourne Observer, 26th March 2008 Tweet

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