Chairperson Launches New Book ‘The Man Who Captured Washington’

Chairperson Launches New Book ‘The Man Who Captured Washington’

On Wednesday 25 May, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Mickey Ruane hosted the launch of a new book by John McCavitt and Christopher T George,  ‘The Man Who Captured Washington: Major General Robert Ross and the War of 1812’.

John McCavitt began carrying out his extensive research on Major General Robert Ross in 2008 which was the same time that the legacy Newry and Mourne District Council were renovating Ross Monument at the entrance to Rostrevor village. The Council worked with a local Committee to organise a series of commemorative events focusing on General Ross’ links to the writing of the American national anthem. Many Committee members were present at the event, which took great commitment and time to ensure that a part of history has been preserved for future generations.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has a strategic aim to make the district a premier tourist destination on the island of Ireland and the preservation of the area’s unique history is one of the ways the Council can capture and build upon the tourist market.

A highly successful international conference on General Ross was held at An Cuan, Rostrevor in October 2013, while many of the top American historians of the War of 1812 gathered in Rostrevor on 4 July last year to discuss the legacy of the war. 

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Mickey Ruane said, “John’s book is the culmination of years of research and provides, for future generations, an invaluable historical record. It is not that long ago that the Ross monument lay in decay, with little information known about General Ross but finally, thanks to John and Christopher’s book, and the Council who have restored the monument, the history of this important part of our past is safely captured and available for generations to come.”

Cllr Ruane continued, “John, on behalf of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council I congratulate you on this excellent piece of writing which I am sure will be read avidly by people both here and in America.”