For Ann Whelin there was only one way to banish the redundancy blues — a bout of retail therapy.

And where better to stretch that unemployment cheque to its limit than up the road in Newry.

It’s quite a hike from the mother-of-three’s home in Kildare, but she has money to spend and none of it will be going to the southern exchequer.

Her daughters Nicole (23) and Tanya (20) and son Gary (12) have come along — and they have £1,000 between them.

“We definitely got loads of bargains today, especially on clothes,” Mrs Whelin said.

“Compared with what we would have paid for the same stuff in the south we have probably saved thousands.”

The 44-year-old former hotel employee, who lost her job the previous day, said it made sense to cross the border.

“It’s too dear down south. We’ll probably do our Christmas shopping in Newry,” she added.

Also bargain-hunting at Buttercrane Shopping Centre were Sharon and John Jago from Dublin.

“We come to Newry once a month,” said 27-year-old Sharon.

“We visit all the shops and usually save hundreds on pounds on drink and food in Sainsbury’s.”

Outside the Quay’s Shopping Centre, Ann and Sharon O’Shaughnessy were loading groceries from two full trolleys into the back of a car.

“I come up every fortnight,” said Ann (44), an Irish dancing teacher from Swords.

“I spent over £200 on food, drink and household items. The same trolley would have cost me double in Dublin.”

Balbriggan woman Sharon (41), who is currently unemployed, said she makes the trip once every three months.

“I’m trying to avoid rip-off Ireland and take advantage of the exchange rate and the lower level of VAT,” she said.

“Toiletries like shampoo and cleaning products are 50% cheaper in the north. Toliet rolls are much dearer in Dublin.”

At the Marshes in Dundalk by comparison, there was less activity, with a few consumers bearing evidence of purchases.

Town-dweller Nell Quinn (22), who is unemployed, said she had bought shoes.

“I’d rather go up north if I go looking for clothes and I’m planning to go to Belfast for my Christmas shopping,” she said.

IT students Jennifer Moran (24), from Mayo, and Lucy Martin (23), from Monaghan, said they were shopping for clothes.

“We wouldn’t normally go to Newry to shop,” Jennifer said.

“It is a lot cheaper, but there aren’t enough transport facilities to make it easy for us to get there.”

Ciaran Lawless (21), who was in the market for clothes, said he occasionally shopped in Newry.

“Sometimes it doesn’t work out cheaper in the north, but you get more for your money,” he said.

“Last year I spent £700 in Newry at Christmas. I don’t have a girlfriend this year, so hopefully it won’t cost me as much.”