Archive (7 life histories found)
'The people of the Markets were the salt of the earth and I got to know many of them very well through their children.'
At the beginning of September I was assigned to St Malachy's Convent Primary School, Sussex Place where Sr. Ann McKeever had just been appointed principal, to succeed Sr. M Vincent Donnelly who had been a legend there. I was given a Primary Seven…
'Sports' Council were very keen that bowling would play its part in attracting tourists back.'
With few visitors coming to Northern Ireland because of the troubles in the province, as things improved the Sports' Council were very keen that bowling would play its part in attracting tourists back. Straight away, Israel accepted our invitation…
Tags: bowling, Northern Ireland, Tourism, Troubles
'In 1972 the Internationals were due to be played at Larne but because of the troubles in Northern Ireland and reports that a small bomb had been found.'
Back to bowling and, as Treasurer of Ireland and the British Isles, I note only collected match fees and keep the books in order, but dealt with the Sports Council and Government officials. Seeking grants was all part of the job, along with…
Tags: Belfast, bomb, Bowling Internationals, Troubles
'Imagine trying to sell Newry as a shopping destination at the height of the troubles! '
All my life I have been involved with various organisations covering cultural, charitable and business. On the business side, I spent almost 20 years with Newry Chamber of Trade holding the posts of PRO and President. Imagine trying to sell Newry as…
'We thought we were very sophisticated and 'pretty cool ' but our waitress saw through us right away and said 'you 're on your honeymoon ' '
Women are usually better at answering these questions than men, but I do remember a lot of the wedding day. At my mother's insistence, all the men were in morning suits, top hats, tails, gloves - the whole works. Although Joan and I resisted, we…
Tags: family, Fashion, food, Foodball, friends, Gordon Banks, Hillman Imp, Honeymoon, Music, Pre-Wedding Course, religion, Showbands, Troubles, wedding, World Cup
'As time passed he became interested in politics and was elected as a Unionist M.P. for Westminster and he left his mark as prominent speaker for the people of Northern Ireland. '
I first met Robert Bradford in 1971 when he was a minister in the Methodist Church at Suffolk on the Stewartstown Road, the Upper Falls Road. He was a friend to everyone on the estate, a man who showed his Christianity in a quiet and caring way. He…
'IRA prisoners in the Maze prison started a dirty protest and hunger strike '
A significant date I will always remember was 11th November 1971. It was a time when my whole life changed and I became a Christian. Life really became more meaningful, seeing people in a different light and knowing they are important to God. I got…