JANE ORR 2998
Having her photograph taken holding on to the back of a chair in a studio
is Miss Jane Orr Lisnevenagh, Randalstown.
OLD BLEACH Co.Ltd 3565
Here in the Old Bleach linen mill in 1938 it be either during the summer after
shift has ended, Saturday afternoon or a Sunday for the light is pouring through
the skylights. The looms in the foreground are weaving linen sheeting while
on the next loom were maintance work is being carried out and also behind
the man.
Look closely under the loom in the foreground where lumps of fluff has gathered.

OLD BLEACH Co.Ltd 3727
July 1931, it's a Saturday around 1.15pm, the employees are not only enjoying
the fresh air and sun walking home but they have the rest of the day off and
Sunday.
At the top of the hill in the background is the manager's house and in front
with it's imposing tall Chimney and various buildings is the Old Bleach Mill.
The houses to your left next to the Maine river are owned by the mill and
let out to the employees. Who along with a nice house and not far to walk
to the mill but across the road they each have their own gardens, some are
growing flowers but mostly it's vegetables for the pot.

%20O2%20Web.jpg)
OLD BLEACH LINEN Co Ltd WINDOW DISPLAY
3723
Although taken many years ago it would not look out of fashion in today's
shop windows. The Old Bleach Linen Co Ltd goods were known not only locally
but world wide and their tablecloths graced all of the Royal Palaces. The
linen was made without any chemicals it was streched out in reams in the fields
to let the sun bleach it naturally, this gave it its sheen and softness. This
was the reason it was eagerly sought after by French Couturiers. In a French
newspaper called The Border Cities Star and dated Dec 26 1934 it stated It
appears that next Spring will find us wearing Irish Old Bleach Linen for street
dresses, evening gowns, morning frocks and cocktail ensembles It was
said that the large parcels of linen, from the nearby Old Bleaching Company
linen mill, were stacked to the ceiling at the post office.The linen made
its way from the mill to the railway station on an electric lorry and on to
destinations all over the world. It was only when cheaper foreign goods came
in they could not compete and the firm sadly closed in 1980.
%20O2.jpg)
FRIENDS 3724
It's nice to meet up with old friends and these three are no exception having
met up at a convention.
They are from the left Ivor Reynolds BA. BSc.FSDC. C.Co then Ian McKay who
owned a pharmaceutical shop in Magerafelt and finally Jan de Vries, a well
known herbalist in Northern Ireland and had a shop on the Lisburn Road.
OLD BLEACH Co.Ltd 3725
It's the 19th February 1965 and a very prestigious day for Old Bleach Linen
Co Ltd as this was a Royal visit by Princess Alexander who was shown all round
the various departments. The man in the foreground is Ivor Reynolds, Company
Chief Chemist and Manager of the Bleaching, Dyeing and Finishing.
The man in the foreground left is a very young grandfather Ivor Reynolds,
Company Chief Chemist and Manager of the Bleaching, Dyeing and Finishing.
Behind him is G. Byres the Company Secretary, next man with glasses is J.
Moore the General Manager. The rest of the men and lady are unknown.

LORD O'NEILL
569
Standing in front of his car in Randalstown is Arthur
O'Neil who sadly was killed in action during the First World War. At the side
of his car is his chauffeur and, as you can see quite a crowd gathered - including
two police officers! The reason for this may have been that cars were still
a novelty in 1911 when this picture was taken. Certainly the solid rubber
tyres would have made for a bumpy ride.
Pages:
Now if you know the names of any of the Unknowns and
where they are in the photopragh please let me know and if you want I will
sent you a copy, len.kinley@hotmail.com
St.OLCANS HIGH SCHOOL
4442
This is St.Olcans High School having their annual photograph of the pupils
in 1976, names of pupils from the left.
Back Row: Desy McGuikin, Unknown, Jim Porter,
Brian Johnston, Francis Mullholland, James Toal,- -
- -- - - - Unknown, Unknown and Unknown.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - --- - - - - - -- - -
-- - - - - - Middle Row:
Martin McKeown, Martin O'Neill, Tony McCollum, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown,
------Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Suzanne Skilen
and Jim McLaughlin. - - - -
Front
Row: Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown,
- - -- - - - - - - Unknown and Una Maguire.
Back Row: John
McLarnon, Idris McKillen, Gerard McKeown, Unknown, Michael Letters, -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - George Bradley, James Boyd, Colum McGill,
David Devlin, Sean McGroggan, - - - - - -- - - - - -
- - ---John Somers and Chris Allen.
Middle Row: John Magill, John McAteer, Martin
McKeown, Eugene Doran, Gerard Robb,- - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - Bernie McLaughlin, Claire Miller, Josey McCann, Jim McLaughlin,
Michael Somers,- - - - - - - - - - - - John Donnelly,
Dermot Heaney and Miss McAleese.(Teacher).
Front Row: Irene Letters, Elizabeth McCoy, Deirdre
Doyle, Marie Coogan, Patrica McCoy, - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - Margaret Logan, Deirdre McCann, Mary Hamilton, Bernadette
McErlaine, Patrica Kelly, - - - - - --- - - Unknown,
Pat Dobbin and Marie McCormack,
On the Ground Row: Kieran Dowd, Kevin Boyle,
Eamon Brady and Jarlath McLaughlin.
St.McNISSIS PRIMARD SCHOOL
4443
It's all smiles for the pupils of Class P4 or P5 and Teacher of St McNissis
Primary School back in June 1970 because they're having their school photograph
taken.
St.OLCANS HIGH SCHOOL
4444
ItAll smiles for the photographer are the pupils and Master of St.Olcans High
School but sadly it is all in vain Ifor I have no information on the date
it was taken or the names of the pupils and Master. So if you can help please
let me know and if you want I will sent you a copy, len.kinley@hotmail.com
FELLOWSHIP FOR DYING and FINISHING AWARDS
3722
Seated in the middle of his Fellowship companions is Mr I. W. Reynolds. BA.
BSc.FSDC. C.Col proudly and smiling and wearing his accquried award.
Mr Reynolds at that time worked for the Old Bleach Linen Factory in Randalstown.
OLD BLEACH Co.Ltd 3726
Here the men of the Old bleach are laying out the linen in strips as they
have already done to the right on the grass fields known as the green. The
reason they are doing this is to let the sun bleach the linen white, using
this method makes the linen much stronger and last longer than methods using
bleaching chemicals back then which were quicker but weakened the linen. I
remember as a lad seeing the linen laid out like this but back then we had
summers.