THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: From the News Letter of November 1945

Farmers concern at Lough Erne hydro-power plans
By Darryl Armitage
Published 6th Nov 2020, 10:00 BST
Kevin Flood and Roisin Donaghy celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary on September 21, 1987, on the stage of the Lyric Theatre in Belfast where they were both appearing in Hugh Leonard's “rib-tickling” play 'Da'. This apparently odd way of marking an auspicious occasion was nothing new to the talented couple of actors. After their wedding reception in the Crawfordsburn Inn, Kevin, Roisin, with friends and fellow actors, J G Devlin and Doreen Hepburn and poet David Hammond, made their way to the Lyric where they were, with the exception of Hammond, all performing that night. Roisin told the News Letter: “We seem to have all our important moments on the stage. We met when were appearing in the Arts Theatre in 'The King of Friday's Men'. The odd thing about this current production at the Lyric is that we are never both on the stage at the same time.” Picture: News Letter archivesKevin Flood and Roisin Donaghy celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary on September 21, 1987, on the stage of the Lyric Theatre in Belfast where they were both appearing in Hugh Leonard's “rib-tickling” play 'Da'. This apparently odd way of marking an auspicious occasion was nothing new to the talented couple of actors. After their wedding reception in the Crawfordsburn Inn, Kevin, Roisin, with friends and fellow actors, J G Devlin and Doreen Hepburn and poet David Hammond, made their way to the Lyric where they were, with the exception of Hammond, all performing that night. Roisin told the News Letter: “We seem to have all our important moments on the stage. We met when were appearing in the Arts Theatre in 'The King of Friday's Men'. The odd thing about this current production at the Lyric is that we are never both on the stage at the same time.” Picture: News Letter archives
Kevin Flood and Roisin Donaghy celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary on September 21, 1987, on the stage of the Lyric Theatre in Belfast where they were both appearing in Hugh Leonard's “rib-tickling” play 'Da'. This apparently odd way of marking an auspicious occasion was nothing new to the talented couple of actors. After their wedding reception in the Crawfordsburn Inn, Kevin, Roisin, with friends and fellow actors, J G Devlin and Doreen Hepburn and poet David Hammond, made their way to the Lyric where they were, with the exception of Hammond, all performing that night. Roisin told the News Letter: “We seem to have all our important moments on the stage. We met when were appearing in the Arts Theatre in 'The King of Friday's Men'. The odd thing about this current production at the Lyric is that we are never both on the stage at the same time.” Picture: News Letter archives

In Lough Erne, the Ulster flying boat base which played a vital part in the Battle of the Atlantic, was again in the news, reported The Roamer during this week in November 1945.

The Roamer wrote: “On this occasion it is the hydro-electric scheme which is being carried out by the Eire Electricity Supply Board at Ballyshannon that is causing concern among farmers in the low-lying districts of Fermanagh, who are anxious to know how the scheme is likely to affect the levels of the lough.

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“The drainage in the Erne district is a matter which has engaged the attention of the Northern Ireland and Eire governments for many years.

In October 1987 four Northern Ireland students were beginning five year courses at veterinary colleges in Great Britain. Three of the students – Joanne Martin, Banbridge, Michael Griffith, Saintfield and Louise Suffern, Crumlin – were going to London and the fourth, Angela Carville from Belfast was off to Glasgow. Pictured are Mr George McBratney, principal of Belfast College of Technology, with, from left Louise Martin, Michael Griffith, Louise Suffern and Angela CarvilleIn October 1987 four Northern Ireland students were beginning five year courses at veterinary colleges in Great Britain. Three of the students – Joanne Martin, Banbridge, Michael Griffith, Saintfield and Louise Suffern, Crumlin – were going to London and the fourth, Angela Carville from Belfast was off to Glasgow. Pictured are Mr George McBratney, principal of Belfast College of Technology, with, from left Louise Martin, Michael Griffith, Louise Suffern and Angela Carville
In October 1987 four Northern Ireland students were beginning five year courses at veterinary colleges in Great Britain. Three of the students – Joanne Martin, Banbridge, Michael Griffith, Saintfield and Louise Suffern, Crumlin – were going to London and the fourth, Angela Carville from Belfast was off to Glasgow. Pictured are Mr George McBratney, principal of Belfast College of Technology, with, from left Louise Martin, Michael Griffith, Louise Suffern and Angela Carville

“An engineering survey was undertaken by the Northern Ireland Ministry of Finance and four alternative schemes of alleviation were suggested.

“The report on the survey was prepared in cooperation with the Office of Public Works in Dublin and was published simultaneously by the governments of both countries.

“That was as far as the matter ever went and no offer of financial assistance has been forthcoming from Eire, although 35 townlands on the other side of the border are affected by the flooding.”

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The Roamer concluded: “Towards the cost of the last scheme suggested by the Lough Erne Drainage Board the Northern Ireland government made an offer of £7,000, provided the Board contributed £3,000.”

Sharing a joke at a City Hall reception in October 1987 are Sir Myles Humphries, chairman of the Northern Ireland Railways and of the Northern Ireland board of the Abbey National Building Society, the Lord Mayor of Belfast Alderman Dixie Gilmore and Sir Campbell Adamson, chairman of the Abbey National Building Society. Picture: News Letter archivesSharing a joke at a City Hall reception in October 1987 are Sir Myles Humphries, chairman of the Northern Ireland Railways and of the Northern Ireland board of the Abbey National Building Society, the Lord Mayor of Belfast Alderman Dixie Gilmore and Sir Campbell Adamson, chairman of the Abbey National Building Society. Picture: News Letter archives
Sharing a joke at a City Hall reception in October 1987 are Sir Myles Humphries, chairman of the Northern Ireland Railways and of the Northern Ireland board of the Abbey National Building Society, the Lord Mayor of Belfast Alderman Dixie Gilmore and Sir Campbell Adamson, chairman of the Abbey National Building Society. Picture: News Letter archives

Tribute by British industrialist to Ulster workers

Colonel A G Colley, director and general manager of Monitor Radio and Communications Company, speaking at a dinner given by the firm’s social club in the Grand Central Hotel to mark the close of the company’s wartime production in Northern Ireland, paid a high tribute to Belfast workers.

He said that in August, 1944, the parent firm in Birmingham were asked urgently to produce communication equipment for aircraft. They were unable to do it on the other side, but were induced to come to Belfast, where in an old whisky warehouse in Talbot Street.

He commented: “I do not think that I could have got a better response from workers anywhere than you gave here. I have never met any group of people who, when they got down to a job, could do it the way you did.”

Related topics:BelfastUlsterNorthern Ireland

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