FA CUP SUCCESS FOR AFC WIMBLEDON

07/12/2014 by borderroamer

Holiday reading: Vinnie Jones’ autobiography and the story of Wimbledon’s 1988 FA Cup glory

For the first time, AFC Wimbledon, the successors of Wimbledon FC, are into the third round of the FA Cup. The draw will be held tomorrow (Monday 8th December) at 7pm at The Deep aquarium in Hull. It will be carried live on BBC2 and 5Live. The third-round ties will take place between 3rd and 6th January 2015. AFC Wimbledon will be ball number 50 out of a total of 64. Eight non-league sides are in the draw, three of which face second round replays.

AFC Wimbledon Kingsmeadow Photo: © Michael Fisher

The Dons were away to League Two rivals and current table-toppers Wycombe Wanderers. A Sean Rigg goal in the 56th minute was sufficient to give them victory on front of a crowd of 3196 at Adams Park, 1035 of whom were Dons fans. In November 2008 the Chairboys had beaten AFC Wimbledon 4-1 at Kingsmeadow in the FA Cup first round, when the Dons were still a non-league club in the Blue Square South division. I was able to see the second half of the match and to watch the winning goal in Dublin as the game was carried live on Setanta Sports (Ireland). COME ON YOU DONS!

Michael Fisher at AFC Wimbledon Kingsmeadow in August 2014 Photo: © Michael Fisher

UCD BELFIELD CAMPUS

06/12/2014 by borderroamer

Michael Fisher in Belfield

Walking through the grounds of Belfield recently on one of the woodland walks in the direction of Roebuck Road, I came across what looked like a Grecian temple. I was not sure what it was used for. But finding a useful leaflet on UCD’s period houses and the history of the vast campus, I discovered that it is known as the Magnetic Observatory.

Magnetic Observatory, Belfield Photo: © Michael Fisher

The brochure explains this is not an original feature of the Belfield campus, as it was first built in the 1830s in the Fellows’ Garden of Trinity College Dublin.

Magnetic Observatory, Belfield Photo: © Michael Fisher

To facilitate the construction of Trinity’s new Arts and Social Science Building, the Magnetic Observatory was gifted to UCD in the 1970s, where it was rebuilt stone-by-stone. It was designed by architect Frederick Darley (1764-1841), who was once described as “among the most eminent architects of the kingdom”. The building is in the form of a classical Grecian Doric temple.

Magnetic Observatory, Belfield Photo: © Michael Fisher

RUGBY WORLD CUP BID 2023

05/12/2014 by borderroamer

Interesting that Armagh was the venue chosen to launch the IRFU’s intention to submit a bid for staging the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Ireland. The Royal School where the photocall was held is the alma mater of Ulster and Ireland winger Tommy Bowe from Emyvale, County Monaghan. But he was with the Ulster squad preparing for tomorrow’s European Cup match against Scarlets.

The announcement was made in conjunction with the Irish Government and Northern Ireland Executive, both of which pledged their support for the bid. The process will involve the development of a detailed programme, covering match schedules and venues, accommodation, international access, internal transport, communications infrastructure and community involvement. It is anticipated that the delivery of a world class bid will cost €1.5 million.

The GAA has previously agreed that it would make its stadia available for the staging of matches. It will now be up to the bid team to put together a specific match schedule in line with the requirements of World Rugby. It’s expected the decision on Rugby World Cup 2023 will be taken in mid 2017. Over 350,000 visitors could be expected in Ireland if it is granted the tournament. Speaking at the event the Taoiseach said he was delighted formally to announce the Irish government’s support, in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Executive, to back the IRFU’s bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Enda Kenny said Ireland would put together a winning bid that would be impossible to resist.
“We want to share the Irish sporting experience with the world by inviting the world to Ireland. I’m absolutely confident that Ireland will host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The government will provide its full support to make it happen”, he added.

Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson said he fully supported this bid by the IRFU to bring an elite international sporting event to the home of one of the powerhouses of world rugby. It would be a tremendous achievement to see the IRFU host the Rugby World Cup 2023.

“This bid shows the ambition of the Northern Ireland Executive and our determination to bring world class international sporting events to Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland has demonstrated that whatever the event, whatever the occasion, we deliver. Regardless of whether it is cycling, golf, the World Police and Fire Games and now rugby, I have no doubt that this will be a resounding success both on and off the field”, Mr Robinson said.

“Infrastructure is key to this bid and the Northern Ireland Executive has already invested £14.7 million in the redevelopment of the home of Ulster Rugby to redevelop and expand the capacity of the stadium. World class players require world class facilities and we have that at Kingspan (Stadium).”

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: “I fully endorse the IRFU bid to bring the Rugby World Cup to Ireland in 2023. Rest assured we will put together a robust and compelling bid to bring this sporting spectacle to Ireland. This would involve teams coming to Ireland weeks in advance for training camps, providing a major boost to the tourism industry and that’s before the supporters from across the world descend. In 2007 the Rugby World Cup broadcast in over 200 countries and attracted a television audience of 4.2 billion so the potential audience is huge”.

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne said the organisation believed that Ireland, and its people, would make the perfect hosts for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. “The Rugby World Cup is one of the world’s major sporting events and the IRFU has been a central supporter of the tournament since its inauguration in 1987”, he said.

“In addition, Ireland has played a major part in the development of rugby football internationally. Stretching back to the Union’s formation in 1879, and right throughout the modern era, Irish rugby has supplied a series of inspirational players and administrators to the international game. We believe it is opportune for us now to put forward Ireland’s undoubted credentials to host world rugby’s showpiece.

FIVEMILETOWN ROUND LAKE

04/12/2014 by borderroamer

Round Lake Fivemiletown Photo: © Michael Fisher

Whilst visiting Fivemiletown in County Tyrone recently I took the opportunity to visit the Round Lake amenity area for the first time. It used to be part of the Blessingbourne estate but since 1990 has been run by Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council.

Round Lake Fivemiletown Photo: © Michael Fisher

There is a caravan park there with twelve fully serviced hard standing pitches. But this time of year there are no customers. The site has a pavilion, which looks underused, on the side of the lake, where angling is permitted and if you are lucky, bream and roach can be found.

Round Lake Fivemiletown Photo: © Michael Fisher

There is a tarmac path around the lake and it provides a pleasant walk of about fifteen minutes. On the other side of the Fintona Road you will find the entrance to Blessingbourne self-catering accommodation and the Mountain Bike Trails. Please note that the manor house built in the 1870s and owned by the Lowrys is private.

Round Lake Fivemiletown Photo: © Michael Fisher

AUGHNACLOY RAID

03/12/2014 by borderroamer

Scene of ATM raid at supermarket in Aughnacloy Photo: © Michael Fisher

Gardaí in County Monaghan and the Police Service of Northern Ireland are investigating an apparent attempt to steal a cash machine on the main street in Aughnacloy, County Tyrone. A large digger was used to ram the ATM at the front of a supermarket at Pound Hill early on Wednesday morning. A forensic team has been examining the scene to establish the extent of the damage. At this stage it’s not believed that any cash was taken. Police are investigating a possible link to a trailer abandoned on the Ravella Road in Aughnacloy, a short distance from the border with County Monaghan.

Police examine scene of attempted raid in Aughnacloy Photo: © Michael Fisher

FIVEMILETOWN CLOCK

02/12/2014 by borderroamer

Fivemiletown Clock Photo: Heritage Lottery Fund

Fivemiletown’s historic clock which has been a distinctive local landmark on Main Street for over 100 years has been restored. The Heritage Lottery Fund awarded a grant of £18,400 earlier this year for the repair of the timepiece . It was erected in 1903 to mark the coronation of King Edward VII and is one of the remaining physical links to the history of the village.

The refurbished Village Clock will be unveiled tomorrow, Wednesday 3rd December. To mark the occasion a celebratory event will take place in the Valley Hotel starting at 11am. This will consist of music song and dance by local artists. At 12.30pm the refurbished clock will be unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant for County Tyrone, Mr Robert Scott OBE. Everyone is very welcome to attend.

The intricately-wrought copper casing was made in Fivemiletown itself, making it a unique part of the local heritage. The funding enabled the clock to be returned to its former glory. A leaflet and education resource pack have also been produced.

It was one of five grants awarded by the HLF to smaller or more modest projects. The head of the HLF in Northern Ireland Paul Mullan said: “these grants really help local people to dig into their past to explore, record, or share their heritage. We are delighted to support this project in Tyrone which will preserve such an iconic local landmark. With HLF’s investment in Northern Ireland reaching a huge £184million for over 1000 projects, we are proud of our role in helping to protect and celebrate our heritage over the last 19 years and look forward to supporting many more local projects.”

Fivemiletown Clock before restoration Photo: Fivemiletown Chamber of Commerce facebook

Michael Callaghan from Fivemiletown Chamber of Commerce added: “We are absolutely delighted at the news of this award. There is already a great deal of interest and enthusiasm among the people of Fivemiletown and we see it as a legacy project which will be a source of civic pride for future generations”.

A century ago, before everyone had a watch to synchronise or a mobile phone to swipe, the time piece above the old Petty Sessions building was a focal point in village life and a way of making sure you were on time. Its finely-wrought copper casing developed that distinctive patina, or verdigris, that comes from weathering, and its hands turned the hours faithfully, driven by the mechanism that was wound from inside the Petty Sessions building. As the years ticked by, it gradually fell into disrepair and eventually stopped working altogether.

Blessingbourne, Fivemiletown, Co.Tyrone Photo: © Michael Fisher

The Impartial Reporter describes how, at the time of the clock’s initial installation, a local copper-working class was thriving in the area. Mrs Mary Montgomery of the local Blessingbourne Estate

Copper Firescreen in Blessingbourne: Fivemiletown Arts & Crafts School

set up the class in 1891 through the Home Arts and Industries Association and initially taught the class herself in the Petty Sessions building. To begin with, they made items such as candlesticks, tea trays, fenders for fireplaces and newspaper racks.

These artisans became so successful that their work was shown at exhibitions in London, Dublin and St Louis. in 1893, at the St. Louis World Fair in 1904 and at the Dublin International Fair in 1907. It was these skilled craftsmen who made the copper casing of the clock, which was erected in 1903 to commemorate the coronation in 1902 of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.

Clogher Valley Railway train in Main Street Fivemiletown: from painting by Viktor Welch

Clogher Valley Railway train in Main Street Fivemiletown: from painting by Victor Welch

The mechanical works of the clock were made by Sharman D. Neill of Belfast and it is thought that the iron scroll-work was completed by Harland and Wolff. Another iconic feature of the era, the Clogher Valley Railway, was used to transport the raw materials and the finished artefacts. One of the best-known photos of the old railway is of the train in the Main Street, with the clock in the background.

For an update on the official unveiling of the restored clock see Julian Fowler’s report ‘Changing Chimes’ on BBC Newsline.

WW1 TALK: PTE ROBERT HAMILTON – PART 7

01/12/2014 by borderroamer

St Margaret’s Church of Ireland church, Clabby, Co. Fermanagh Photo: © Michael Fisher

Three days after my talk in Ballinode on Private Robert Hamilton, I was passing through Clabby in County Fermanagh, near Fivemiletown. I took the opportunity to call in to see Jean Hamilton at the Rectory, who had been very helpful in finding birth and baptismal records for Robert. Her husband Canon Maurice Armstrong had also helped with the research.

Baptismal Font, St Margaret’s Church of Ireland church, Clabby, Co. Fermanagh Photo: © Michael Fisher

She then invited me into the church, which was re-opened after an extensive renovation in February this year.

I was able to see the baptismal font where Robert Hamilton would have been baptised a few days after his birth, because he was ‘poorly’ according to Canon Armstrong. The font is in its original position. Afterwards Jean gave me directions for reaching the nearby townland of Brockagh, a mountain area of blanket bog very like Sliabh Beagh. Robert was living with John and Jane Keys, probably in a thatched cottage.

Brockagh, Clabby, Co. Fermanagh Photo: © Michael Fisher

WW1 TALK: PTE ROBERT HAMILTON – PART 6

30/11/2014 by borderroamer

Michael Fisher report in Northern Standard Thursday 27th November 2014 p.6

Roll of Honour Death Notice (with incorrect date and age) for Pte Hamilton Northern Standard June 1918

Many of the details discovered about Private Robert Hamilton from Ballinode were taken from the archives of the Northern Standard, the main weekly newspaper for County Monaghan. So it was very appropriate to receive coverage in this week’s edition (still on sale) for my talk a week ago on this member of the Royal Irish Fusiliers (9th Battalion), who was killed in action in Flanders in April 1918.

In Memoriam notice 1st anniversary death of Pte Robert Hamilton. Northern Standard April 1919

In Memoriam notice 4th anniversary death of Pte Robert Hamilton. Northern Standard April 1922

In Memoriam 4th anniversary notice for Pte Robert Hamilton. Northern Standard April 1922

EMY LOUGH, EMYVALE

29/11/2014 by borderroamer

My walk around Emy Lough, Emyvale, last weekend provided a great opportunity to take some new pictures of this wonderful natural asset in North Monaghan. I have put them together in a short video using the Sony Xperia programme. I hope you like the views, showing the lake on a bright, sunny afternoon. I also hope that the table quiz in the Red Boys pub was successful in raising funds for the upkeep and maintenance of the walkway by the Donagh Development Association.

EMY LOUGH WALKWAY: TABLE QUIZ

28/11/2014 by borderroamer

Emy Lough, Emyvale (view from car park) Photo: © Michael Fisher

It’s one of the most beautiful parts of North Monaghan: Emy Lough. In recent years a hard-working committee from Donagh Development Association has developed a walkway around two-thirds of the lake.

Enjoying the view of Emy Lough Photo: © Michael Fisher

Using the nearby public roads a loop walk has been created, which is proving very popular as a place for exercise and relaxation. A number of seats have been provided along the way where you can stop for a breather and admire the view across the lake. Part of the lake is used by the local angling club and permits must be obtained from them for fishing.

It is a very peaceful spot and the 4km looped walk can be completed at a leisurely pace within 45 minutes or less. Keep an eye out for ducks and swans on the lake. Please remember to keep the path and the lake area free from litter: take your rubbish home with you.

When you come to the end of the trail (or entrance if you prefer to start your ramble on the walkway rather than the public road) you will find a red box for donations. This is cleared regularly and has been provided by Oliver McCarron Engineering from Knockronaghan.

Emy Lough Walkway, Emyvale Photo: © Michael Fisher

Donation box made by McCarron Engineering at Emy Lough Walkway, Emyvale Photo: © Michael Fisher

Ad for Table Quiz in aid of Emy Lough Walkway Photo: © Michael Fisher

Tonight (Friday 28th November) a Table Quiz will be held at the Red Boys pub, Main Street, Emyvale in order to raise funds for the maintenance and upgrading of the walkway. Prizes to be won and a good night’s entertainment. More details can be found at emyvale.net.

Emy Lough, Emyvale Photo: © Michael Fisher

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