Antrim M7

CHARLENE MAILEY 3014
This a school photograph of Charlene Allison who went to Ardnaveigh High School.
Charlene in later years got married to Herbie Mailey and now has been living in Australia for 20 years.
Charlene has been a career girl all of this time, but in March 2012 this all stops for she will be a mum then.

MUCKAMORE ACCORDIAN BAND 2174
This was the first official photograph of Muckamore Accordian Band in 1963.
In the front row from the right you have Robin Leeburn, then Philip Scott whose father had a milk dairy between Antrim and Muckamore, next is Terry Jackson - he lived about three houses up from the Orange hall on the Belfast side, then Danny Green who was the accordian tutor. Next to him is the drum instructor who along with the rest of the band are unknown, their uniforms were navy blue with a red stripe.

MOYLENA FOOTBALL TEAM 2366
Proudly showing off their hard won silverware we have the players of MoylEna Football team who played in the Saturday morning League back in the 80's.
Standing at the back are Unknown, Erick Bownes, Uknown, Allan Hannan, Uknown, Alfie Beresford, Uknown, Uknown, Bernie Hogg and Bobby Carlisle.
Seated are Unknown, James Watson, Dennis Clark, John Quinn, Unknown wearing Hucklebuck shoes, Unknown and Adrian Sparks. The manager was Dennis Tweedie.

MID-DAY BREAK 1221
Down on the farm at Ballyboley in 1941 during the Second World War we have the Stewart Family having a well earned rest at noon. As you can see rather than waste time going back to the farmhouse the food is brought out to them. At the back pouring the tea is Barbra Stewart, sitting on the ladder getting his cup filled is Robert James Stewart then serving their brothers we have Annie and Mary Stewart. In front we have Tom Stewart, Julie Cluckson, Jack Stewart, William Stewart and Mister Stewart. Now you might be wondering why Julie's surname is different that's because Julie's an evacuee from Belfast after the Blitz.

MILLAR CLAN 1200
Seen here out at Dunadry we have the Millar Clan all enjoying themselves on the 12th July the year is unknown.
On the left as always with her white pinny on is Granny Mary Millar, her son James is the lad in the dark suit and behind him is Ellie May's Pub.

MUCKAMORE CRICKET XI 2171
Getting their photograph outside their clubhouse we have the Muckamore Cricket Team.
In the back row we have J Higgins, B Hunt, J Reid, B Jarden and R Steele.
Seated are R Gray, WJ Preston, T McClure, E Mulholland, J McCaig and finally A Reid.

MUCKAMORE TENNIS CLUB 2175
Here we have some of the members of Muckamore Tennis Club outside the club in 1936.
I only know the position of one person and that is May Stewart 3rd from the left in the back row. Here are the names of the other people in the group: Kath Reid, Jean Clarke, Jim Porter, Mrs Crooks, Bill Crooks, Grace, Jimmy McKillop, Jean McIlroy, E McKillop, Cassie Reford, Tommy, N Craig, Lily Gilpin, Mary McKillop, Jim Hay, Jack McKillop, Jack Raynor and Gertie.

MINFORD WEDDING 263
The Groom is Nathaniel O. Minford M.P; and his Bride Miss Maureen Minford after their wedding at the Old Congregation Presbyterian Church in Randalstown.
This wedding was unique in that the Bride did not have to change her surname. Her wedding gown was a classical model of Edelweiss Damask brocade with a fitted tailored neckline and the long full skirt being slightly trained. Her Tudor headdress was of Damask with a shoulder length veil. The reception was held in Hall's Hotel in High Street Antrim. The year was 1945.

MUCKAMORE TENNIS CLUB 2176
This is Muckamore Tennis club in 1936 we have members with family and friends but are sadly unknown at the moment.
It seems to have been a celebration day by looking at the casual dress but also seated on the left next to the steps is a man playing a banjo.

MOTORBIKE MAD 1044
Looking at the way some of these guys are wrapped up against the cold in 1949 you would have to be motorbike mad. From the left we have Davy, Jack and Jimmy McClean, then Walker Hunter and at the back Cecil Finlay the club Chairman then.

MARY MITCHELL 2556
This is Mary Mitchell having her photograph taken, although it can't be seen Mary's hair was her pride and joy which was down to her thighs! The book Mary is looking at is a book showing all the different poses and backgrounds that the customers could ask for and do.

MADDEN FAMILY 2222
Sitting on top of their parents Vauxhall car we have Lousie and Eugene Madden at their home in Springfarm in 1960.
Making sure they don't fall while getting their photograph taken is their mum Ceila Madden.

THE MELODY ACES 3496
Now for some local celbrities - The Melody Aces who provided the music for many a dance at Hall's hotel in the late 1940s and early 1950s. On Saxophone is leader John Nutt, who actually lived in Antrim Courthouse. Leslie Allen, on accordion, lived in High Street which is now a flower shop.
On drums is John Carson, who lived up Spinddler's Entry on Church Street, which is sadly now demolished. Perhaps because he is looking away, it is harder to say who is on the piano player is. The best quess Frank Boal, who lived in Riverside at the end of the river wall.

RARING TO GO 3625
Can't wait for the photograph to be taken outside their home in Antrim is Joan Riha nee Mailey who was a nurse. Now the dog in front of her is unknown but the girl behind her is, she is Sue Beattie, it's 1935 did you know Joan was only the second female to own and ride the bike round Antrim!

FAREWELL 3628
Here receiving a farewell present from Grace Clarke in the middle is Joan Mailey on the left at a farewell party at Holywell Hospital. For Joan who was nursing Sister was leaving and Emigrating to Australia back in 1956, the man on the right in unknown.

THE MAILEYS 3629
Standing outside their home called 'turgracy ' on the left is Ronald Mailey next to his father Alex Mailey who was a sergeant in the Air Ministry Police. He was stationed at Aldergrove 23 MU back in 1950.

Ist MUCKAMORE SCOUT TROOP 3221
This is 1st Muckamore Scout Troop from yesterday having their photograph taken in 1975.
In the back row are Gardener Kissock, Edward Holmes, Robert Holmes, Jackson Craig, Simpson Holmes, Jack Crooks, Johnny Russel, James Kane, Robert McKelvey & Andrew Francey.
In the front are Cecil McMaster, Bobby Kane, Allen Wright, David Francey, Samuel King, William McClure, David Craig, Robert Johnson & Jack McMillen.

MAGEE FAMILY 3142
Here we have in a Belfast studio having their photograph taken is Ethel Magee sitting on her mum's knee who is Aileen Magee. Aileen looks lovely with her string of pearls and just look at the hand made lace collars and cuffs.
Now Ethel was born in King Street Belfast which was not far from Smithfield Market, Later in life Ethel got married and her surname became Malseed.
Eventually Ethel, her husband and family came to live in Antrim in 1973.

FOOTNOTE
The daughter Sarah Millar went on to get married and have her own family and one of her son's was the most loved and kindest man you could ever wish to meet and I am glad to have-been honoured to know him personally - T. Edgar Wallace (of Ballynoe), was part of the Antrim Borough Council and even Mayor for a time. Sadly Edgar has now gone home and will be sorely missed.

LOUGH SHORE 1883
This is Francis and his big brother Johnny Madden down at the Lough Shore. Johnny seems to have been enjoying himself by looking at his face while his younger brother does not look too happy. Yes his brother! for back then we boys had to wear dresses.

MOAT INN 3543
It's 1912 and visitors staying at the Moat Inn (which was built in 1740) are getting ready to go and explore Antrim and are probably getting advice from the proprietor. They are going to have a bumpy ride for they are solid rubber tyres.

MILLAR FAMILY GATHERING -3721
Here are the 12 Millar children of Thomas Stirling Millar and Jane Millar nee Graham in 1910. Back row: from the left we have Unknown, Unknown, Unkown, Unknown, Sarah Millar, Unknown. Seated: are Unknown, Unknown, Thomas Stirling Millar, Jane Millar nee Graham and Unknown.- On the ground: are Unknown, Unknown and Unknown. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --Now if you know any of the Millar family please let know.

ELEANOR MILLAR 1223
The bonny baby here out at Burnside is are very own Eleanor Millar at the tender age of nine months back in 1947.
Eleanor's all tucked up in her high pram with a beautiful handmade pram cover.

MILLAR FAMILY 1212
This is the Millar family standing outside their thatched home out at Dunadry in 1954.
At the back we have mum and dad who are Jean and William Millar, the children are Eleanor, Maxi and Jim.
Look at how well dressed the children are and the crease down Jim's shorts, then give the lady of the house a big clap, for remember, no running water or electric!

CAROLINE MITCHELL 639
This is a lovely portrait of a local lass taken in 1916 to send to her sweetheart at the Western Front. As you can see, it was modestly signed yours truly, C.Mitchell'. Caroline who was twenty then and lived in Railway Street, had just got engaged to her boyfriend, Robert Kisset from Muckamore, who left home to join the Royal flying corps. The First World War was a perilous time to be a pilot, and many planes did not even stocka parachute in case the men decided to bale out in the face of withering enemy fire. Thankfully Robert survived the Great War and flew home safely to marry Caroline just two years later.

BUTLIN'S 2237
This photograph was taken in 1965 and back then every child wanted to go there.
For all the rides were free and you didn't need your parents with you for you were well looked after. The parents of course enjoyed it as well for they could relax or take part in many of the events that went on.
What was the name of the place for it is still going today? BUTLIN'S and this the Morgan family at Mosney from Antrim.
On the left we have Mum Margaret, Dad Harry and children Henry Bernadette and Charlie.

CHURCH STREET 970
Church Street - summertime 1947 and this little girl in her sandals was going to get water at the water pump which was in front of Pogues Entry - which is just behind the photographer. The girl's name? why it's Patricia Mackreth with her bucket,
Across the road is the Solicitors, the railings to the right belong to the Methodist Church which used to be the library.

MASSEREENE FORGE 3885
This blacksmith's forge with a Horseshoe shaped entrance in Bridge Street Antrim was built in 1887 by order of Lord Massereene & Ferrard of Antrim Castle. He saw the smithy working in the lashing rain with no proper cover to protect him or the horses as he worked on them. The picture with people at the entrance and outside is interesting but at the same time sad. Sad because progress has advanced to motorized farm machinery and the day of the horse has passed. You can tell for there are no iron hoops to put on the cart wheels or ploughs waiting to be repaired only two cycles, a Ladies and a Mans, also a old farmers rake which has been put out for show. No more clanging of, the hammer hitting metal on the anvil, the smell of hot horseshoes being put on the horses hooves or the heat coming from the furnace to heat metal. The Smithy John Coulter and his son will be seen no more, no more friendly yarns or a bit of craic while passing by it is the end of an era.

BALLYCRAIGY MANOR 3227
Sitting and relaxing in the morning sun outside Ballycraigy Manor in 1900 we have Louis and Bernard Meenan. Bernard is sitting reading a letter and smoking a cigar has on leather gaiters so he could be going hunting or shooting. While Louis's footwear is designed for hiking or walking, perhaps he's taking the dog on his lap and the one on the ground beside him which looks eager to be off for a run

A HELPING HAND 2224
Here in the backyard during the summer is Eugene Madden at 9 months having a cool bath in 1958. Lucky him I used to washed in the sink! still I wish I had a photo now. Eugene is getting a helping hand to hold the chair steady while in the background is his Silver Cross Cherub pram, the Rolls Royce of prams back then. Anyone back then who could get an old one and using the springs and wheels make a gider (soapbox) and have the smoothest ride ever!