An article uncovered in the archives of The Impartial Reporter focuses on ‘50 years of bowling at Enniskillen.’ Janet Brown, Enniskillen Bowling Club forwarded the article for the Looking Back column.

25 YEARS AGO - May 3, 1990: Official Opening of Lisgoole Suite - The Killyhevlin Hotel which yesterday celebrated the official opening of its new conference centre, spends £1 million a year in buying local produce and services. Most is spent in Fermanagh, it has been revealed. The Killyhevlin, the lakeland area’s top hotel, is in the middle of a major £2.5 million expansion programme, which will ultimately bring 70 new jobs. Yesterday, the Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, Mr. John McGuckian, performed the official opening of the magnificent Lisgoole Suite, the 600-delegate self-contained conference centre built at a cost of £1.2 million. On a superb sunny day, the 250 invited guests saw the Killyhevlin’s scenic setting at its very best.

Rose of Tralee’s final 15 - A total of 15 girls have been selected for the Fermanagh final of the “Rose of Tralee” competition. The event takes place next Wednesday, May 9, at the Killyhevlin Hotel.

ITV ‘Telethon’ charity effort to broadcast live from Erneside - Fermanagh will have a prominent position on the Telethon ‘90 map, as the major fundraising event hits the roads. The county will be right in the “hive of things” when the whole of the ITV network joins together on May 27 and 28, to produce 27 hours of “crack” in a Television Marathon. But its organisers warn it is much more than an entertainment programme. They say it is all the activities and weeks before the programme itself, “underlining the goodwill generated by individuals, groups and businesses” which raise money for Telethon.

Early Arrivals - MAP - There are first reports of the cuckoo being heard by the Britton family at Tober, near Derrygonnelly. Now nature lovers are waiting to see if the corncrake will return in any better numbers than previous years, when this harbinger of summer has been sadly diminishing. I understand that conservation volunteers are making special arrangements this year to record the arrival of the corncrake in Fermanagh and to pinpoint the locations where it is heard.

Bullets on Broadway - On stage at Ardhowen Theatre next week is “Bullets on Broadway” - a fast-paced comedy musical set in Prohibition America and presented by the “Lakeland Players.” The action is set in New York City in the year 1929. The story opens in a cemetery where a big gangster’s funeral is taking place. Among the mourners are Nico Crapelli (Tom McFarland) and Johnny Southside (Hammy Reid).

50 YEARS AGO - April 29, 1965: Yachting - First Race - The yachting season on Lough Erne was opened on Sunday when four G.P.14 dinghies braved stormy conditions in a points race. One capsized after rounding the first mark and second went over on the next lap. The race was won by M. Whaley, with I. Graham second.

Local Winners at Sligo Feis - Heather McKeown, of Fivemiletown, won the Kitsy Franolin Perpetual Memorial Cup for junior violin solo at Sligo Feis last week.

“Reporter” Staff Man Says Farewell - The staff of the “Impartial Reporter” bade farewell on Friday to one of its reporters, Mr. Keith Baker, who has received an appointment in the Larne office of the “Belfast Telegraph.” A gift from the editorial and office and printing staffs was presented.

Personal - The Queen has appointed Mr. Henry Osmond-Clarke, C.B.E., F.R.C.S., to be orthopaedic surgeon to her Majesty. Mr. Clarke is an old boy of Clones High School, and a son of the late Mr. W.J. Clarke, Brookeborough, former agent to the Brooke estate.

Budding Orator - MAP - Looking through the results of the Sligo Feis Ceoil, held last week, I noticed that 13 years old Patricia Laverty, Belfast, a niece of Mona Maguire, A.L.C.M., Belmore Street, Enniskillen, had returned home with a cup under each arm. In classes for elocution she won the coveted Yeats Perpetual Cup (under 18), and the Donje Cup (under 14) for the second year in succession. Then she came second for the Urlarn Cup (under 18), and was first in the class for junior sight reading (under 14). Quite a creditable performance for one so young. Patricia’s mother was Doreen Maguire, of Enniskillen.

Wrestling Treat - Wrestling returns to Enniskillen on Saturday in the Silver Sandal Ballroom, when the promoters present another star-studded programme. Heading the parade of wrestling favourites is Klondyke Bill, the 43-stone American, reputed to be the strongest man in the world. Prior to the contest Klondyke lifts a fully grown horse above his head for what he calls a little loosening-up exercise. Opposing him will be Rory Calhoun, “The Tall Texan,” who is the undisputed American heavyweight champion.

In Father’s Footsteps - MAP - A happy choice of President for 1965-66 has been made by the Enniskillen Dramatic Society, which held its annual meeting on Monday evening - Cecil Whaley, Jnr., whose father, Cecil, founded the Society in 1928.

75 YEARS AGO - May 2, 1940: An Enniskillen Actor - MAP - I notice that a company of the Dublin Abbey Theatre Players who are on tour are to visit Enniskillen on May 13. One of these players, who is stage managing the tour, is an Enniskillen man - Dermot P. Kelly, second son of the late Mr. James Kelly, J.P. formerly of High Street, Enniskillen (now Mavitty’s) and a grand-nephew of the late Miss Agnes Coll, of the old Royal Hotel. Mr. Kelly has played frequently at the Abbey Theatre and was also with the Lord Longford productions for two years. He was a member of the Dublin Gate Theatre Company for a time.

Canon S.R. Anderson - At evening service in St. Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen, on Sunday last, the Rev. Samuel R. Anderson, Lisnaskea, was installed Canon by the Dean of Clogher (Very Rev. Hubert MacManaway), and afterwards preached a sermon.

Train Incident at Clones - Captain T.J. M’Gorry, Clones, probably saved the life of Mr. Shaw, Maguiresbridge, by gripping him when the door of the railway carriage opened as he was looking out of the window when returning by train from the football final in Dublin.

Local Clergy Win Prizes - The Diocesan Library Committee of Down and Connor and Dromore, have awarded the ‘Sophie Taylor’ prize to Rev. A.V. M’Callin, Belfast. Prizes were also awarded to the Rev. Canon R.M. M’Tighe, Lisbellaw, and Rev. A.H. M’Combe, Aghadrumsee, Newtownbutler.

Four Kids - Mrs. J. Creighton, of Gate Lodge, Kilskeery, has a Nubian goat which gave birth to four kids on Saturday.

Portora - Enniskillen Royal School at Portora has opened this term with 225 boys. The school appears to be flourishing. Two interesting portraits have been placed in the school, one of Henry Francis Lyte (‘Abide With Me’) in the Remembrance Hall, and the other of the late Headmaster, in the Dining Hall. Both are the work of Rene Thuyns. The former portrait he very kindly presented to the school and the latter was presented by Mrs. Seale. The portrait of the late Headmaster has been noted by all who have seen it as ‘the most amazing likeness.’ Badminton - Brookeborough Badminton Club held an American Tournament on Monday night. The winners were Miss A. Hamilton and W. M’Clung. A presentation was made to Mr. J. Erskine, a member of the club, who has been transferred from the Income Tax office in Enniskillen to Belfast.

An article uncovered in the archives of The Impartial Reporter focuses on ‘50 years of bowling at Enniskillen.’ Janet Brown, Enniskillen Bowling Club forwarded the article for the Looking Back column.

25 YEARS AGO - May 3, 1990: Official Opening of Lisgoole Suite - The Killyhevlin Hotel which yesterday celebrated the official opening of its new conference centre, spends £1 million a year in buying local produce and services. Most is spent in Fermanagh, it has been revealed. The Killyhevlin, the lakeland area’s top hotel, is in the middle of a major £2.5 million expansion programme, which will ultimately bring 70 new jobs. Yesterday, the Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, Mr. John McGuckian, performed the official opening of the magnificent Lisgoole Suite, the 600-delegate self-contained conference centre built at a cost of £1.2 million. On a superb sunny day, the 250 invited guests saw the Killyhevlin’s scenic setting at its very best.

Rose of Tralee’s final 15 - A total of 15 girls have been selected for the Fermanagh final of the “Rose of Tralee” competition. The event takes place next Wednesday, May 9, at the Killyhevlin Hotel.

ITV ‘Telethon’ charity effort to broadcast live from Erneside - Fermanagh will have a prominent position on the Telethon ‘90 map, as the major fundraising event hits the roads. The county will be right in the “hive of things” when the whole of the ITV network joins together on May 27 and 28, to produce 27 hours of “crack” in a Television Marathon. But its organisers warn it is much more than an entertainment programme. They say it is all the activities and weeks before the programme itself, “underlining the goodwill generated by individuals, groups and businesses” which raise money for Telethon.

Early Arrivals - MAP - There are first reports of the cuckoo being heard by the Britton family at Tober, near Derrygonnelly. Now nature lovers are waiting to see if the corncrake will return in any better numbers than previous years, when this harbinger of summer has been sadly diminishing. I understand that conservation volunteers are making special arrangements this year to record the arrival of the corncrake in Fermanagh and to pinpoint the locations where it is heard.

Bullets on Broadway - On stage at Ardhowen Theatre next week is “Bullets on Broadway” - a fast-paced comedy musical set in Prohibition America and presented by the “Lakeland Players.” The action is set in New York City in the year 1929. The story opens in a cemetery where a big gangster’s funeral is taking place. Among the mourners are Nico Crapelli (Tom McFarland) and Johnny Southside (Hammy Reid).

50 YEARS AGO - April 29, 1965: Yachting - First Race - The yachting season on Lough Erne was opened on Sunday when four G.P.14 dinghies braved stormy conditions in a points race. One capsized after rounding the first mark and second went over on the next lap. The race was won by M. Whaley, with I. Graham second.

Local Winners at Sligo Feis - Heather McKeown, of Fivemiletown, won the Kitsy Franolin Perpetual Memorial Cup for junior violin solo at Sligo Feis last week.

“Reporter” Staff Man Says Farewell - The staff of the “Impartial Reporter” bade farewell on Friday to one of its reporters, Mr. Keith Baker, who has received an appointment in the Larne office of the “Belfast Telegraph.” A gift from the editorial and office and printing staffs was presented.

Personal - The Queen has appointed Mr. Henry Osmond-Clarke, C.B.E., F.R.C.S., to be orthopaedic surgeon to her Majesty. Mr. Clarke is an old boy of Clones High School, and a son of the late Mr. W.J. Clarke, Brookeborough, former agent to the Brooke estate.

Budding Orator - MAP - Looking through the results of the Sligo Feis Ceoil, held last week, I noticed that 13 years old Patricia Laverty, Belfast, a niece of Mona Maguire, A.L.C.M., Belmore Street, Enniskillen, had returned home with a cup under each arm. In classes for elocution she won the coveted Yeats Perpetual Cup (under 18), and the Donje Cup (under 14) for the second year in succession. Then she came second for the Urlarn Cup (under 18), and was first in the class for junior sight reading (under 14). Quite a creditable performance for one so young. Patricia’s mother was Doreen Maguire, of Enniskillen.

Wrestling Treat - Wrestling returns to Enniskillen on Saturday in the Silver Sandal Ballroom, when the promoters present another star-studded programme. Heading the parade of wrestling favourites is Klondyke Bill, the 43-stone American, reputed to be the strongest man in the world. Prior to the contest Klondyke lifts a fully grown horse above his head for what he calls a little loosening-up exercise. Opposing him will be Rory Calhoun, “The Tall Texan,” who is the undisputed American heavyweight champion.

In Father’s Footsteps - MAP - A happy choice of President for 1965-66 has been made by the Enniskillen Dramatic Society, which held its annual meeting on Monday evening - Cecil Whaley, Jnr., whose father, Cecil, founded the Society in 1928.

75 YEARS AGO - May 2, 1940: An Enniskillen Actor - MAP - I notice that a company of the Dublin Abbey Theatre Players who are on tour are to visit Enniskillen on May 13. One of these players, who is stage managing the tour, is an Enniskillen man - Dermot P. Kelly, second son of the late Mr. James Kelly, J.P. formerly of High Street, Enniskillen (now Mavitty’s) and a grand-nephew of the late Miss Agnes Coll, of the old Royal Hotel. Mr. Kelly has played frequently at the Abbey Theatre and was also with the Lord Longford productions for two years. He was a member of the Dublin Gate Theatre Company for a time.

Canon S.R. Anderson - At evening service in St. Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen, on Sunday last, the Rev. Samuel R. Anderson, Lisnaskea, was installed Canon by the Dean of Clogher (Very Rev. Hubert MacManaway), and afterwards preached a sermon.

Train Incident at Clones - Captain T.J. M’Gorry, Clones, probably saved the life of Mr. Shaw, Maguiresbridge, by gripping him when the door of the railway carriage opened as he was looking out of the window when returning by train from the football final in Dublin.

Local Clergy Win Prizes - The Diocesan Library Committee of Down and Connor and Dromore, have awarded the ‘Sophie Taylor’ prize to Rev. A.V. M’Callin, Belfast. Prizes were also awarded to the Rev. Canon R.M. M’Tighe, Lisbellaw, and Rev. A.H. M’Combe, Aghadrumsee, Newtownbutler.

Four Kids - Mrs. J. Creighton, of Gate Lodge, Kilskeery, has a Nubian goat which gave birth to four kids on Saturday.

Portora - Enniskillen Royal School at Portora has opened this term with 225 boys. The school appears to be flourishing. Two interesting portraits have been placed in the school, one of Henry Francis Lyte (‘Abide With Me’) in the Remembrance Hall, and the other of the late Headmaster, in the Dining Hall. Both are the work of Rene Thuyns. The former portrait he very kindly presented to the school and the latter was presented by Mrs. Seale. The portrait of the late Headmaster has been noted by all who have seen it as ‘the most amazing likeness.’ Badminton - Brookeborough Badminton Club held an American Tournament on Monday night. The winners were Miss A. Hamilton and W. M’Clung. A presentation was made to Mr. J. Erskine, a member of the club, who has been transferred from the Income Tax office in Enniskillen to Belfast.