The Jewel in the Crown

Benburb Monster Sports 1950

Robert Johnston retires

Robert A Johnston was headmaster of Moy Regional Primary School during the 1930s and the start of the 1940s. His fingerprints were over much of Moy during that period such was the respect he was held in. His wife was a teacher too. Parents and pupils held a retirement social for him a presented him with a gold watch and a substantial cheque. Many people made speeches extolling his virtues.

The Round Tower

This round tower was part of the Roxborough Castle estate and apart from the gates opposite the Eurospar in the Moy is the only visible reminder of this great building. There are a lot of round towers still standing inIreland. With the entrance door blocked up this one appears to be out of use and just there for historical and decorative purposes.

Photograph courtesy of Lila Jackson

Big Changes!

Where once there were the green fields of my youth there are now the bricks and mortar of large estates in what was once rural Moy. I don't mind progress and for many families these houses represent their hopes and dreams for their next fifty years! Nothing wrong with my nostalgia taking a back seat.

Art Gallery Night P1

An Art Gallery Night was organised to raise funds for Benburb Priory. many talented artists displayed their work – among them Bob Toner, Paddy McCann, and Frances McKenna. Irish music filled the air as the large crowd socialised over a wine and cheese platter.

Social Events

I often wondered what impact the war had on the social lives of the people of Moy, Charlemont and District. For Catholics it looks like life carried on as normal whereas across the religious line Protestants were a little more war-wary and didn't live it up while their kith and kin were out fighting for their lives on foreign battlefields. They saved their powder for when the war was won!

Moy United

Moy United had a good side that won quite a few trophies in the late 1960s and 1970s when I would have been watching them. They played a Wilbur Cush Select side at Duff's Park as part of the 1967 Festival programme in Moy, Co. Tyrone. The Moy Ladies team were also in action against Mayfair.

Fort Painting

I had never seen this painting by Thomas Creswick of Charlemont Fort from around the mid 19th century before I found it online today . It is held in Armagh County Museum.

Maps

I had no idea the Moy Square used to be known in olden days as The Diamond - maybe even Moy Diamond. Nor was Trew & Moy Railway Station always known by that name - welcome True & Moy Railway Station and True Mount! I wonder what initiated the changes.

John Orr

Interesting how a strange obelisk shaped headstone in a graveyard can grab your attention and how you can then link it to an article in the Tyrone Courier in the 1950s. I ended up learning that rugby legends like Patrick Lambie and Gordon Brown could trace their lineage back to John Orr a wee Benburb guy who owned a series of megastores in South Africa away back in the early part of the 20th century!

Quakers

I grew up around three miles from this Quaker church and its graveyard and had to look where it was on Google Maps to find its location. What a secret place this turned out to be. As a purveyor of all the graveyards in the area now I have to say this one is the one I would love to haunt when I die! So peaceful with birdsong everywhere. Or maybe I just caught it on a beautiful summer's day!

Graves

I was always wary about walking into unfamiliar graveyards and Clonfeacle outside Blackwatertown was a case of the unknown to me. I wanted to see the graves of some of the people I had read about in the books I have been compiling. The sad story of Margaret Casey who died trying to sae her son, the Cromie girls who drowned in a bad road accident. Michael Collins who was killed in New York. I was at Collegeland too - to pay respects to Paul Mills, and to see the graves of the Mackle children and young Dermot McNeice.

Festival Week

The locals who started up Festival Week need a huge round of applause for being forerunners for community action in the days before the Troubles started and in an area that would be right at the centre of the Murder Triangle as it later became known. There was no hint of division in the advertised 1968 programme as both sides and all ages shared in the craic that was to be had during this Festival Week.

Argory Christmas Fair

Dreaming of a White Christmas at the Argory Christmas Fair. See what festive life was like back in the 1800s. The Christmas table, the presents wrapped up beneath the tree. Outside in the courtyard experience the live music, the crafts on display and grab something from the food stalls.

Priory photographs

Benburb Priory was always this mysterious place about four miles from where I grew up. I had heard about its grounds that led down to the Blackwater river and its waterfalls and knew about its Festival called Benburb Sunday and aside seeing photographs of the mansion house I had never actually been there. Now I have. What a place. I learned about its beginnings - the Servite priests and their community and the history of the area through their wonderful exhibition. Great cafe too

Benburb Priory

Benburb Priory was always this mysterious place about four miles from where I grew up. I had heard about its grounds that led down to the Blackwater river and its waterfalls and knew about its Festival called Benburb Sunday and aside seeing photographs of the mansion house I had never actually been there. Now I have. What a place. I learned about its beginnings - the Servite priests and their community and the history of the area through their wonderful exhibition. Great cafe too

January snow

The snow fell on a quiet Sunday morning during lockdown and I grabbed my camera and went wandering on foot.

Eat Out to Help Out

The British Government initiated a scheme during COVID lockdown to help restaurants get custom back in after months of lockdown. The result was a financial hit for them but a boon for foodies who were able to get fed for around half price. The ryandale breakfast was always great value at £6 but now it was twice as good!