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Ardglass is a fishing village about 30 miles south east of Belfast and seven miles from Downpatrick. In the early 20th century, it was thriving due to the curing of its’ herring which began around 1907. Local historian, Michael Howland, tells the story of how the start of the Great War affected the village. The curing industry was predominantly run by Scottish and Donegal firms who based themselves in Ardglass. They prepared the fish for their main markets in Russia and Germany. But when the war came, all that stopped and the village was worried about how it was going to survive as the market for their cured fish dried up. As well as that, one huge consignment which was sent to Russia just before the market closed was never paid for. So they turned to the “fresh” market, making England their main market and due to lack of fresh food there were paid good prices for their fish. Then there is the story of the ‘Yank’ who came to Ardglass. He bought up the remainder of the cured stock to bring to America – but did he? Location: Ardglass, Co. Down BT30 7TG Image: Ardglass in the early 1900’s Image courtesy of Michael Howland