Colúm McClelland knew, he just knew, what he wanted to be when he grew up!
But when you come from a family where 14 others have travelled the same road, it wasn’t a difficult decision.
As firefighters, the McClelland family boast around 320 years of combined service in the Newry area.
And as a family, Colum is now proudly continuing a 150-year unbroken tradition.
In all, 15 family members – 11 of them with the surname McClelland – have served and protected the people around Newry and beyond.
And it all began in 1877, when Alexander McClelland, the first of the 15-strong lineage, committed to serve and founded Newry’s first municipal fire station.
Other notable figures in the McClelland line were Colúm’s grandfather Jackie, who was recognised as a firefighting icon, truly legendary in his field. During three-and-a-half decades of service, he responded during the Second World War ‘Blitz’ on Belfast, and served up until 1975, during the height of the Troubles, when he was forced to formally retire due to injuries received during a call-out, when a bomb exploded at a furniture store in Newtownhamilton, two years previous.
Alexander McClelland far left sitting down leaning on standpipe. Pictured in 1877.
Jackie – who had also been a councillor – had served as Section Leader in Newry and was awarded the British Empire Medal by the late Queen for his “courage, leadership and devotion to duty”.
Colúm easily delves into the past, to call to mind some of the so many who did so much, a photograph on the wall of the family home a constant source of inspiration…
“Growing up, there was always a picture of my grandfather Jackie above the stairs wearing his medals proudly,” he told Armagh I.
“He himself was the son of a WWI veteran, my great grandfather Sergeant Patrick Joseph McClelland, who had a career spanning 20 years, which is remarkable by itself.
“He was at the battle of the Somme and other major battles of the Great War. I think that is where my grandfather inherited his indistinguishable sense of pride and honour to serve the people.
“Jackie, with his brother, joined a works fire service in Birmingham and Coventry during the Blitz and later in Belfast during the bombing campaign as part of the Auxiliaries. His firefighting career is legendary, and yet the way people spoke of him as a person was just as impactful on me.
“His career was sadly ended when a bomb exploded in 1973 whilst at a call in Newtownhamtilon. My grandfather wasn’t just section leader of Newry, he was often referred to as Newry’s Fire Chief, such was the respect he garnered from superiors and subordinates alike.
“His career and legacy were recognised far and wide, with messages of congratulations when he received the British Empire Medal a year before his injury. They came from London Fire Brigade, the fire college in England and the FBU. Even the Commissioner of the New York Fire Department greeted him in 1979 during a visit and gave him some form of medal when he visited. I’m unsure what exactly it was.
Jackie McClelland, fourth from left, pictured around 1941.
“It’s hard not to be inspired by that. One of the aforementioned teachers used to always address my grandfather as the ‘Man of Courage’. That moniker always stuck out to me, and I have since seen it said about him under comments relating to him on old photos on Facebook. It’s quite the name.”
Five of Jackie’s sons would become firefighters, one of them being the late John, former Chief Fire Officer with the Northern Ireland Fire Brigade, from 1996 to 2002.
Colúm – John’s nephew – reflected: “He was a humble man that never forgot his roots and is often spoken about affectionally for that manner by those that served during his time as top brass. He was a soft-spoken man, and I will always remember him as such.
“It’s hard to imagine before all that he was a man of fire who rose to the highest rank in the brigade. He certainly did the family proud, as they all did.
Jackie McClelland’s ‘Last Alarm’. Photo by Brian Sheridan.
“I remember on one visit to him on his death bed he asked was I going to try for the fire service again, having not got in after many failed attempts. I told him ‘yes’, and I wish he was here to see it.
“I was in the last batch to pass out from Lisburn training centre – in fact, my name was last on the list. It was a training centre that John once commanded, as head of training, so whether that be a stroke of luck or something higher… I’ll leave that up for interpretation.”
Another of Colúm’s uncles, Raymond, was the former Watch Commander of Newry Retained section.
“He not only had a great career in the fire service but was also a top class paramedic, which he is very respected for,” he added.
“I think if I had half the career he has had I’d be doing alright.”
Needing no introduction, Mount Everest hero Terence ‘Banjo’ Bannon, also a Newry Firefighter, is another uncle of Colúm and another huge inspiration – three of the 15 currently still serving.
So all in all, some big boots to fill!
But for Colúm – born in Newry, as all of the family members – he has been making his mark and is proud to continue the family tradition.
He said : “I live in Warrenpoint where I serve as an on-call firefighter. I am quite lucky in that regard. It is a great wee station, and we get a good number of calls which is important for growth and experience.
“The people at my station are second to none. My Watch Commander has all the traits that I often imagine my grandfather to have had and that is maybe the best piece of praise I could give him.”
Kieran and Colum (cousins) and Kieran and Uncle Terence Banjo Bannon.
Growing up, such was the recognition and respect which the McClelland name carried in Newry, Colum was repeatedly asked, be it by teacher or stranger: ‘Are you related to the firefighting McClellands?’
“To be able to say yes, and I am one of them, is an immensely proud thing,” he stated. “My father was one of six brothers not to join, due to his bad eyesight, but had a passion for the brigade that maybe sometimes surpassed that of his brothers.
“And it was infectious. But he never asked me or any of his children to join, nor do I think any McClelland is truly asked.
“My father witnessed first-hand the lows of firefighting, as his father was blown up by a bomb, and a younger brother fell through a roof at a call, both ending their careers.
“He is extremely proud of me and my choice – but more because it was my choice.”
Colúm – who joined the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service in 2024 – always knew he was destined for that role, to follow the others who had gone before and those who still proudly serve.
“I never had any passion or enthusiasm for anything else,” he explained. “I think when I reached about 14 or so I struggled in school because nothing on the curriculum spoke to me and I fell behind. Sure, I tried things in the years after, but when a fire appliance would drive past with the blues and sirens going, that is when regret would set in that I was not aboard that. So, in that regard, it called to me, as cheesy as that might sound!”
One-year-old Colum knew from an early age where his future lay.
For Colúm, he is an on-call firefighter, which he says differs from what people may think firefighting to be…
“We do not sit in station but rather respond via a pager,” he said. “In that regard, I believe it is the purest form of firefighting. You answer the call when you are needed – sometimes when you are tired, often when you have other plans, but you answer the call because that is what you promised to do.
“People sometimes put down or dismiss on-call firefighting as part-time or whatever, but there is nothing part-time about the commitment involved, which in my case in 91 hours a week minimum. I work too far away from my station so, unfortunately, I cannot avail of leaving work to attend calls. I have to make up my hours at other times.”
Colúm’s first call-out, technically, was to a generator fire at a local timber yard, which was already out as crews arrived.
But he was soon thrown in at the deep end and he – like the rest of his firefighting line – would witness some major incidents and fires of note over a century and a half…
“My real first fire was a few days later — a wildfire in the Mournes a kilometre long which was declared a major incident. No gentle introduction. It brought everything into focus very quickly,” he added.
“I could not speak of specifics due to respect to the families and people of those sadly involved due to the nature of the job, but my family have been there from the start and would have seen and experienced everything you can imagine, especially during the dark days of the Troubles.
“My grandfather got his BEM medal during the outbreak of internment. Over the course of four days, over 40 calls were recorded, to the point the retained crew took up residence in station to quickly and more efficiently attend these calls.
“Many of these were major blazes, with Newry being described at the time as being ‘aflame from end to end’.
“The number rose to 70 by the end of the week, and Jackie was ordered to stand his men down and relief crews were brought in from other areas.
“During the great fire of 1910, Newry Cathedral was nearly burned down. It’s probably Newry’s most famous fire. Robert Campbell and Mickie Linnie would have been present for that. They were uncles of my Nanny McClelland, Jackie’s wife.
“In another event, a landmine struck the fire appliance my uncle Joe was travelling in, but luckily there was no fatalities. In another, at the scene of a fire, there were unexploded mortar shells that the crew had to manoeuvre around.”
Colum BA training session. Photo by Brian McCalmont.
To rewind and go right back to the start of the McClelland family story takes us back to 1877.
And it’s the start too of an actual real firefighting presence in the now city of Newry.
“Historically, Alexander founded the fire service or at least played a part,” explained Colúm. “He was working as secretary of Newry Rowing Club when he was approached by the Town Commissioner, who was also a member. He told Alex about the growing need for a proper fire brigade. There is more to the story, but that’s the gist of it and why many of the original members were from that same rowing club.
“Alexander was given the rank of 1st Officer under Captain Magennis, with McGennis being a member of an older insurance private brigade.”
All told, it’s a great source of pride for Colúm to continue serving the community in a family which has done so for so long.
“It is an amazing legacy that is more than just length,” he said. “The stories within them are equally as impressive.
“I never met my grandfather who died many years before I was born, so for him to have such an impact as an inspiration on my life speaks for itself.
“They were all my heroes growing up. Whereas other people may have been drawn to celebrities or musicians or whatever, I’d no interest in any of that.
“It is important to note that there are other firefighting families within the area and beyond that deserve recognition. The McParlands, of Newry, were for many years the backbone of Newry, the Blacks, of Cookstown, and the McKinleys, of Warrenpoint. With the latter, I can say I’ve seen first-hand the legacy they have in my station, with Paul McKinley serving alongside me and acting as a mentor and for that I am lucky.”
The future… Colum’s nephew Fiachra McClelland with the same portrait that inspired himself growing up.
So, with all that said and turning to the all important question… are there any other McClelland family members waiting in the wings, ready to become number 16 on the long and prestigious familial list?
“My nephew Fiacra says he wants to be a firefighter; he is a bit afraid of heights at the moment, but he will get there,” said Colúm. “And a cousin, a son of Banjo Bannon, has expressed interest. He certainly has no fear of heights!”
If interested, there certainly are vacancies. For now, Colúm’s station in Warrenpoint – along with 25 others across Northern Ireland – are currently recruiting.
The need for firefighters is great but the rewards are greater.
And Colúm has no hesitation in recommending it to others…
“I’d urge anyone to give it a go if it’s something you feel like you have something to give to,” he added. “You gain from it great experience and confidence in ways you maybe wouldn’t think you had in you.
“You give a lot to the point it changes your life and routine and it’s good to know that going in.
“It’s not for everyone. But it’s in that sacrifice where the pride burns through and it brings out the best in people. You literally inherit another family and it’s great.”
Full list of the McClelland family and years served
Fire Service Summary (Combined 300+ Years)
1. Alexander McClelland: 1877 – c1900s
2. Mickey Linnie: c1910s – c1940s
3. Robert Campbell: c1910s – 1942
4. Jimmy McClelland: 1940 – 1954
5. Jackie McClelland: 1940 – 1975
6. Paddy McClelland: c1958 – c1961
7. Joe McClelland: 1965 – 1995
8. John McClelland: 1968 – 2002
9. Marcus McClelland: 1973 – 1988
10. Stephen McClelland: 1980 – 1989
11. Raymond McClelland: 1989 – 2022
12. Kieran McClelland: 1994 – 2025
13. Terence Bannon: 2012 – Present
14. Ryan Devlin: 2013 – Present (formerly Newry, now in the Republic)
15. Colum McClelland: 2024 – Present
