Antrim T1

TAKING A WALK 1005
Taking a walk for fresh air along the Belfast to Antrim Road on the 5th October 1938, we have May McCalmont. Behind the pram is dear Granny Rachel Agnew with her bunch of flowers and at her side is Jack Agnew her grandson. Her other grandchildren are in the pram the twins - Maudie and Ann, while standing in front with an inquisitive look on her face is Rita Agnew.

THE ANTRIM WEAVING COMPANY 1947
This is the Winding department of The Antrim Weaving Company getting their photograph taken in 1939 for making their targets. At the back we have Bella Hannan, Annie Craig, M Adams, Lizzie Barr, A O'Neill, S Cochran and Peg McBurney. The next row has Joe Scott (Clerk of Works), Marty Kane, Ena Fleming, K Bates, Marjorie Law, J Curry, Rowan Fleming, Agnes Hannan, Tilly Hannan and Tommy Fields (Manager) Seated are Alice Scott, M Coyles, B Kennedy, Bob Reid (Winding Manager), Unknown, Mrs Coyles, Annie Wallace and Emily Barr. Kneeling we have M Kane, J Hannan, L Fee and Unknown.

THORNHILL LODGE 2713
Here we are in Hall's Hotel back in 1970 for the annual Thornhill Lodge dinner for its members.
At the back from the left are Billy Williamson, T Strange, E Smith, H McDonald and J McCaig.
The middle has T Fleming, Paddy Marks, D McClure and B McVeigh.
In the front row are A Fleming, S Campbell, W Kyles and Norman McCaig.

RAILWAY STREET 2757
It's the 13th July 1931 and we are just outside Antrim Railway Station and Thornhill LOL 651 members are getting ready to join the parade.
The Lambeg drums you can see actually belonged to the lodge and for many years they played along with the lodge.
The reason the parade was being held on the 13th was that the 12th had fell on a Sunday that year. Back then it was more of a family day out, at the far right there is a young boy and girl standing and the boy is holding on to his young brothers tricycle. Right underneath the banner is a little girl with her pram and coming up Oriel Road is a young lad on his bike to watch the proceedings. Other people are walking up the road on the left as there is only one footpath with a grass verge, nothing at all on the other side of the road. The house is owned by a Mr Woods and he lived in the upstairs of the house while downstairs, one half was a tearoom and in the other half he sold groceries and confectionary.

TIR-NA-NOG HURLING TEAM 1913
Here we are with Tir-na-nOg Hurling Team in 1926 who were the Co. Antrim Champions.
At the back are T. Martin, A Martin, D McNaughton, J Dean, J Gallagher, H Dowd, J McCann, J Dowd and P Cunning Referee.
In the middle we have P Dornan, J Best, J Black, A Heffron, P McCann, J O'Boyle, S McKeown and T Carabine.
In front are J McNally and H Hill.

TAYLORSTOWN NORTH PRIMARY SCHOOL 1803
These are the pupils of Taylorstown North Primary School back in 1931.
In the back row 4th from the right is a Jenkins and his brother is last on the right in the front row.
Now to the left of the pupils is a motorbike and sidecar, was this used by one of the teachers?

TAYLORSTOWN NORTH PRIMARY SCHOOL 1804
It's 1933 and here we have the pupils of Taylorstown North Primary getting their school photograph taken.
In the back row are B. McCammond, W.Jenkins, H. Montgomery, P. Rainey, Nellie Shaw, R. Gault, W. Mulholland and A. McCullough.
Middle row has J. Jenkins, W. McDowell, A. Barclay, Gordon Neeson, W. Kelly and J. McKee.
Seated are B. Rainey, T. Rainey, S. McCartney, L. McKee, M. McCullough, J. Barclay, D. Johnston, J. Bates and R. Henry.
The two lads seated on the ground are J. Kennedy and H. Nicholl.
As you can see, two of the lads who while well dressed they are in their bare feet, for shoes were an expensive item back then.
Some families who did buy shoes, because they were so expensive they were only worn on a Sunday to go to Church.

TWELTH 1693
It's 1954 and it is the 12th July and Ann and Jim McQuillan are getting their photograph taken with their big sister Elsie.
This is the 'Field', which that year was where Antrim Grammar is now. Behind them is a tent then houses and then the Round Tower at the Steeple.Enjoying themselves at the 'Field' which was where Antrim Grammar is now on the 12th July 1954 we have Lily Kane and Doris McQuillan. In front are Ann with her brother Jim McQuillan.

TIR-NA-NOG TEAM 1677
Proudly getting their pgotograph taken is the Tir-na-nOg Team, Antrim Junior Hurling Champions of 1960.
At the back we have S Kerr, D Letters, R Dornan, F Robb and V Dobbin. The middle has R Robinson, S Martin, H Kerr, N McKillen V Kerr and B Kerr.
Seated are B Robinson, S O'Boyle, S Martin, D Martin, R Heatley, V McVeigh and A O'Kane.

TWELTH 1694
It's 1954 and it is the 12th July and Ann and Jim McQuillan are getting their photograph taken with their big sister Elsie.
This is the 'Field', which that year was where Antrim Grammar is now. Behind them is a tent then houses and then the Round Tower at the Steeple.Enjoying themselves at the 'Field' which was where Antrim Grammar is now on the 12th July 1954 we have Lily Kane and Doris McQuillan. In front are Ann with her brother Jim McQuillan.

TIR-NA-NOG TEAM 1679
This is the Tir-na-nOg Team of 1947 getting their photograph taken.
At the back are J McNally, J Heffron, D McKeown, P McLaughlin, J O'Hara, P Shannon, T Shannon, R McGuigan, J Millar and J Logan.
In front we have H McCormack, C Close, S Letters, J P Shannon, A McCollum, J McAuley and S Martin.

THE ILLUSIONS 1748
When ever this local group appeared on stage Antrim folk were under no illusion who they were. Called ' The Illusions ' this is them in 1975 from the left Crawford McClintock, Jerry Caughfield, Jimmy Campbell, Liam Gillan & Brendan Gillan.

TOWN COMMISSIONERS 1414
These gentlemen were the town's commissioners who looked after the well being of the town back then.
In the back row we have J. McCabe, Mr. McKay, T. Cooper and J.L. Clarke. In front are J. Carson, T. Coulter, Unknown, Unknown and J. Beggs.
They are standing outside Garron Tower Hotel which was along the Antrim Coast road about 24 miles from Larne. Date is unknown.

TORPEDO FACTORY 1665
Taken at the Royal Naval Armament Depot or locally called the Torpedo Factory on the Randalstown road we have the people who worked there in ?
At the back we have George Marcus, John Hamilton and the rest are unknown. Sitting on the landrover's roof are Gary Wilson, Unknown and Fred Currie. The 6th row are all unknown, the 5th row has Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Ronnie, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Paddy Campbell, Erskine Campbell and the rest unknown. In the 4th row Raymond Cadbury at the far right is the only person known. In the 3rd row are firstly 10 unknowns, then Harry Allen, then 15 unknowns, Arthur Evans and finally 5 unknowns.
The 2nd row has 5 unknowns, Desmond Jardine, Dessie Tuff, then 10 unknowns, Alma McCullough, Leslie McCullough, Bobby, 5 unknowns, Jimmy Blackadder and then 5 unknowns. In the front row are Mr Magee then 4 unknowns, Phyllis Burrows, Nurse Kielty, Betty Patterson, Sandy Powel, Sam McMinnen, Bill Andrews, Unknown, ron Ludlow, Desmond Fell, Bill Mitchel, John Murdoch, Unknown, Mr Surgenor, D.Shuker, Des Whylie, Mrs Murdoch, Frances, Violet Smyth, Mrs Ludlow, Gordon McCloud, Sammy Buick, Derek Watters and Mr Blackadder.

THE SLOAN'S 1459
Here we have Mr & Mrs Sloan known to everyone as Stephen and Bridget who is holding a posy getting their photograph taken in the early 1900's. Stephen owned three shops in High Street, the first was were you now have Winemark it was Sloan's Butchers, next door was Sloan's Sweet Shop and the other side of the entry was Sloan's Pub.

THE HALT 1627
This is the Halt at Dundary and was not only a petrol station but also a pub on the left and on the right a confectioners with Nellie Patterson at the door.
To get to the upstairs there was a flight a stairs either end of the building.

THE FOLLY 1303
Here at the Folly and rearing to go on this Radge Withworth motorbike is Miss Scott.
The grandfather is watching her closely and look at the horn on the bike, which meant you had to let go of one hand on the handlebars to pump it. The year is unknown.

TOMMY THOMPSON'S 1332
Standing outside Tommy Thompson's confectionery shop in Market Square is Molly Rainey who's father had a shop just up from here,the year is unknown.
After talking to people who remember Tommy's shop they told me it wasn't the smell of the sweets that brought back memories of the shop it was the smell of the oil stove which he used to heat the shop and Tommy was also a veteran of World War 1.

THE BIG SNOW 1413
Up the Steeple Road at the Bush in the heavy snows of 1947 which blocked roads all over Northern Ireland as you can see in the photograph. But this didn't stop the McCabe children from building an Igloo. On the left we have Herbie , Brian, Anna and inside the Igloo is Derek.
Brian is being restrained for the photograph for he wouldn't stop wriggling and who can blame him!

THOSE WERE THE DAYS 2332
Ah, those were the days back in 1956 when you were told summer had arrived and instead of it lasting 6 days it was usually 6 weeks or more! So here we are at number 10 Carnanmore Park on one of those summer days and enjoying not only the sun but an ice lolly. At the back in his shirt and tie is Daddy, mummy and on her knee is Helen Tomen. On the left is MrsTomen and in front are Patrica Tomen and Len.

TOWN COMMISSIONERS 051
This photograph of the Town's Commissioners was taken in 1911. Standing are I. Wallace, E. McCabe, C. McMaster (Vice-Chairman), A. McKay (Clerk).
Seated in front we have J. Nutt, R.G. Kirk G.P. (Chairman), E.C. Smith (Chemist). Edward McCabe was one of the town's butchers and was known
locally as Ned. He is mentioned in Alexander Irvine's book 'The Souls of Poor Folk' with the line "Ned McCabe butchered John Conlon's pig."

TORPEDO FACTORY 1043
Enjoying a night out at the Torpedo Factory on the Randalstown in 1954.
We have kneeling at the front Unknown then Joe Pollick, behind Joe and from the left are Annie Rankin, May Gaynor, Elsie Boyd, Eve Deneny, Ronald Luldow, Beth King, Miss King, Helen Brown, Emily Rankin and Mr. McNeill. All the people in background are unknown.

TOWN COMMISSIONERS 172
These gentlemen were Antrim town's commissioners who looked after the well being of the town back then. At the moment I cannot put any names to the faces.
They are standing outside Garron Tower Hotel which was along the Antrim Coast road about 24 miles from Larne. Date is unknown.

THE CUTTS 735
Beachcombing on the banks of the Sixmilewater river is an old man and three boys in 1907,
The postcard is stamped Jan 1908. To Miss Corry, Donacloney, Lurgan.
Reads: My Dear Ruby, I wish you could come and see Antrim it is a lovely place. I hope you had a merry Xmas.
Love and kisses to Annie, Lily Aggie and yourself. XXX Milly.

THE CUTTS 133
This photograph was taken in 1911 and this area of the Sixmilewater river was known as ' The Cutts ' or ' Corrigan's Cutts ' .
The Corrigans who operated the boats came from the Randalstown Road. Close to this spot out on the Lough Kay Don practised with his speedboat "Miss England" before making an attempt on the waterspeed record in 1931.

MRS TOM THURSBY 2654
What a wonderful photograph showing peace & harmoney in a home, the year is 1931, the month March and the time is 8.20am.
This is Mrs Tom Thursby who lived at number 6 Firgrove Muckamore and the house is still there!
Mrs Thursby is sitting in front of her range where all the cooking would have been done and also is keeping herself warm, this morning she is baking our favourite, soda farls on a griddle. The kettle to the left keeping the water warm for a nice cup of tea and perhaps more sodas are keeping warm in the oven.
On the left of the fireplace wall is a print of a wife in a long dress and wide sleeves, her arm is linked with her husband who is holding hands with their child. Next to it is a reading in a frame from Timothy 1:15 "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." Below the framed couple is another plaque with a man brushing a horse and a Bible text Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go." On the mantelpiece which has been trimmed with aluminium foil to the left is a china cottage, an outdoor oil lamp, then flanking either side of the clock are the Spaniel dogs. Behind the right dog is a tray and at the end is a bicuit tin on its side so Mrs Thursby can see the lady in a crinoline dress on the lid.

THE FOLLY 782
Here we have Joan McElrea in 1935 sitting on Mrs.Scott's knee with her daddy Jack McElrea on her right. Next to Jack is Joe Scott,on the left is Sam Scott with a kilt and on his lapel is a guitar badge, next with the shotgun is Frank Scott, the bookworm is Joe Scott and the faithful dog is unknown.

THE MELODY MAKERS . 2544
Well here they are all ready to entertain the people and guaranteed to get their feet tapping we have The Melody Makers, who were at every dance venue there was.
There was not a tune or melody that they did'nt know and during the 1940's & 50's they were in great demand. Here you could dance to tunes you heard on the radio for there were no CD's or Ipod's then.
From the left at the back we have John Nutt, Jimmy McCluney, George Mahon, Billy Moore, James Clark and Les Allen.
In front we have Alfie Rowan who is playing what we called a Hawian guitar and finally on drums Robert Wylie. Alfie & Robert worked in Holywell Hospital.
John Nutt lived in the Old Court House, the reason being was his mother was the caretaker. John went on to set up his own band called "John Nutt and the Rhythm Rascals".

THE CUTTS 734
Here you can see the start of the Yacht club on the Sixmilewater river as it enters Lough Neagh.
The postcard is stamped: Antrim July year is unknown. To; Miss L. Walker, Co'op Society, Yelshing Dept; Anniesland, Glasgow.
Reads; Having a great time Lizzie.even better than I expected. Was away a drive on Saturday. A sail on Sunday. Going on a pic - nic today. Will give you all news when I come home. Too good to write on P.C. Jeannie.

THE CUTTS 086
This photograph taken from the Cutts shows you all the fishermen's boats all tied up on the banks of the Sixmilewater river. In the distance you can see the pier with most likely tourists waiting to get on one of the two pleasure boats to have a trip on Lough Neagh. The year is unknown.

THE ANTRIM WEAVING Co. 1041
Here we have the workers of The Antrim Weaving Company in June 1953 celebrating the Queens Coronation. In the front row are Unknown, Eileen Rankin, Julia Hannan, Unknown, Martha Wallace, Emily Barr, Agnes Hannan, Martie Kane, Unknown, Unknown, Marcary Law and George McMaster. Behind them are Mary Stewart, Jean Baker, Unknown, Charlotte Craig, Unknown and Eve Kelly.
At the back we have Sally George, Unknown and Annie Craig.

THE ANTRIM WEAVING Co. 1042
At first I thought that the women were kneeling before the managers for a pay rise, but it's not, they are celebrating the Queen's Coronation in 1953.
In the back are Lily Robb, LizzieLaughlin, Margaret McVeigh, Margaret Rainey, Mary Stewart, Unis Kelly, Annie McGill, Mrs Craig, Mrs T.Hannan and Agnes Hannan. Kneeling in front Jean Ashe, Eileen Rankin, Emily Barr, Martha Wallace, Martha Kane, Mrs Allen, Annetta McCoy, Mary McGill,
Jimmy Roberts and Mr. Fields.

THE ANTRIM WEAVING Co.Ltd. 230
These are the factory's choirgirls pictured in the Castle Grounds in 1933 celebrating winning a cup at the Choir Festival.
In the back row are Nina Wallace, Neta Wallace, Agnes Hannan, Mary Rodgers, Mary McCavley and Liz Fleming, rest are unknown.
In the middle row are Peg McBurney, Miss D. Clarke, Tilly Hannan, Jeannie Baird and Lily Knox, rest are unknown.
In the front are Liz Wallace, Liz Beggs, Anna Wallace, rest are unknown.

THE ANTRIM WEAVING Co. 595
This happy looking bunch were pictured in the Winding Room of the Antrim Weaving Company on June 2, 1953 - they were of course celebrating Queen Elizabeth II Coronation. In the front row you can see Tommy Fields (manager), Lily Fleming, Mary Thompson, Jean Wallace, Maureen Kelly, Unknown and Unknown. Included in the second row are Charlotte Richie, Jean Baird, Rachael Cameron, Anna McVeigh, Sydney Quinn, the rest are unknown. In the crowd behind we have Tilly Blair, Margaret Fee, Ruth Hamill, Grace Clark, Pauline Clark and Bobby Smith who married Ruth Hamill.

THE ANTRIM WEAVING Co.Ltd. 229
The people in this photograph are weavers except for one who was the tinter.
It was taken in the winding room as the weavers room was too small, they are celebrating getting a bonus for the work they had achieved thus the title No.4 Share. Back Row: Barbra Brown, Elizabeth Hannon, Meta Wallace, Unknown, Nora Hannon, Tommy Hannon and Unknown.
Front Row: Elizabeth Law, Sarah McCraight, Edie Hannon, Billy Adams, Martha Knox nee Cain, Mrs. Killen, Rosie Delaney, Unknown and Tommy Fields the Manager.

THE ANTRIM WEAVING Co.Ltd. 558
This was taken in the winding room as the weavers room was too small, and the workers are celebrating getting a bonus for the work they had managed to get through - hence the title 'No. 1 Share'. In the back row you can see Margaret Peel, Tilly Luke, Elizabeth Fletcher, Alec Fleming, Tilly Fletcher, Sarah Wallace and Rachel Cameron. Standing in the middle are (from left), Tommy Field (Manager), Maggie Fletcher, Annie Fleming, Ellen Hume, Agnes Annesley, May Clarke, Kathy Graham and Mary Hamill. Finally, seated at the front are Rachel Mawhinney, Letita Fleming, Margaret Rankin, Mrs. Richie, Jimmy Cameron, Tilly Hannan, Beanie Ritchie and Kathleen Millar.

THE ANTRIM WEAVING Co.Ltd. 228
This is Coronation Day June 1953 and reading from the left in the back row are Sally George, Bobby Smith and Margaret Fee.
Front row are Pauline Clark, Maureen Kelly, Tilly Hannan, Mary Johston, Ruth Hamill, Tommy Fields (Manager) and Jeannie Jamison. Bobby Smith by the way went on to marry Ruth Hamill.

TAKING A BREAK 2109
We are at a local dance hall and the band is having a break. This gives Davis Hannan who is in the band a chance to talk to his sweetheart May McQuillan.
Now back then when you stated going steady a boy would buy the girl a watch, now whether this was so the girl would be on time or not I don't know.
The next thing he would buy would be the engagement ring and finally the Wedding ring and this is exactly what Davis did!

TAYLOR CHILDREN 2911
This young chap is local man Roy Taylor along with his sister the late Gwen Taylor, unfortunately when this picture was about to be taken Roy
discovered that he forgot his gloves, so someone kindly lent him a pair. Its hard to beleive that Roy will be 80 on the 15th July 2011.