Looking Back: Fermanagh County Show

25 YEARS AGO - August 30, 1990: Successful show - The annual County Show at Enniskillen - on the Tuesday and Wednesday of last week - was “very successful” according to show secretary, Mrs. Sue Hogg. She said that she was “happy” that everything had gone “smoothly” at the major agricultural event. Mrs. Hogg paid tribute to the good “teamwork” which added to the success of this year’s show. Admitting to being “exhausted” this week, Sue, in her third year as organiser, added that there had been “good gates” on both days. Another Vet in the Family - MAP - Twenty-eight-year-old Murry Welsh is keeping up a family tradition - he has become the third veterinary surgeon in the family. Murry, son of Co Welsh, veterinary surgeon, and Mrs. Maureen Welsh, Prospect Hill House, Enniskillen, has just qualified with a B.Vet. Degree from the Royal Veterinary College, a year after his younger brother, Christopher, who is now working in a referral clinic in Milton Keynes.

Boots Manager - MAP - Jonathan Poots, who has been appointed manager of the first Boots Health and Beauty Store in Northern Ireland, due to open in the Imperial Building in the centre of Enniskillen, intends to become involved in local events when he has settled in. Mr. Poots starts on Monday getting the store ready for the opening.

Special little two-pound baby says thanks for life - The parents of Leanne Swift from Enniskillen want to say a very special “Thank-you” to the Belfast hospital that saved their daughter’s life nine years ago. “Only for the special baby unit at the Royal Maternity Hospital at the Royal Victoria in Belfast, Leanne would not be here today,” Veronica Swift said from her home last week. Leanne was born 14 weeks premature - weighing just one pound 14 ounces - less than a bag of sugar. She spent about 10 or 12 weeks at the special unit - receiving “tremendous care” - before being allowed home.

Cleary makes the headlines again - Enniskillen’s Jimmy Cleary is making a name for himself in broadcasting. Cleary who had the best of both worlds during his sporting career is now one of Ulster Television’s expert panel for G.A.A. matches and is a football analyst with the B.B.C. during coverage of the Irish League. The talented footballer was part of Northern Ireland’s squad in the 1982 World Cup finals and wore the Ulster jersey at Croke Park in 1977.

50 YEARS AGO - August 26, 1965: Remarkable achievement - A new record entry of 2,720 was established at the Fermanagh Farming Society’s 125th annual show held at Enniskillen on Tuesday afternoon and yesterday Wednesday. The increase of 150 in the entries is a remarkable achievement in view of the fact that this year there were no show poultry on account of the outbreak of fowl pest. The home industries, flowers and school children’s sections were judged on Tuesday afternoon, and the livestock were judged yesterday morning. A feature of this year’s show was a new class, the all-Ireland beef calf championship.

Fermanagh Show Photo Caption - The Ulster Dairy Queen (Miss Philomena O’Reilly) presenting the Championship Cup for the best bacon carcase at Fermanagh County Show on Tuesday to Mr. Edwin D. Bruce, of St. Catherine’s, Blaney, Enniskillen. This was his second time to win the prize.

Personal - Miss Joan Mavitty, Derrychara Park, Enniskillen, is leaving on Saturday to take up a teaching post at the British Army Children’s School, Nikoloas, Farnagusta, Cyprus.

Personal - Miss Barbara Morrison, of Baragh, Ballinamallard is also leaving to take up a three-year appointment at Prince Rupert Boarding School, Wilhelmshaven, Germany.

Trillick and District Y.F.C. - A treasure hunt organised by Trillick and district Y.F.C. brought out 24 keen competitors. The start was at Trillick Orange Hall to which the competitors returned. Organisers were Tommy Strain, Omagh, and Ivan Kee, public relations officer of the local Y.F.C. The first prize of £5 went to Mr. Ken Graham, Enniskillen, and 2nd prize of £1 to Mr. Owens, Kesh.

Flower Show - Carntall Presbyterian Church, Clogher, held its eighth annual flower show and sale on Thursday last. The large number of visitors who attended the show, the proceeds of which were in aid of the building fund, were not disappointed either with the variety of goods on show or the home-baked goods on sale.

Ballyshannon Show Results - The Atkinson Cup, the blue riband of the show, was again won by Joseph Morrow, of Abbey House, Ballyshannon, at this year’s Ballyshannon Show. The cup is awarded for the highest total of marks in the cattle classes. A close runner-up was Richard O. Hermon, of Necarne Castle, Irvinestown.

Old-Time Driving at Fintona - Fintona Show Society are including a new class in their Show next Monday. In the gymkhana there is to be a “single harness driving (old-time), either trap or side-car, driven by an amateur.” 75 YEARS AGO - August 29, 1940: Missing - Flying Officer Brian D’Arcy Irvine, R.A.F., son of Mr. Henry D’Arcy Irvine, and grandson of the late Major C.C. D’Arcy Irvine, of Castle Irvine, Irvinestown, is reported missing. He is nephew of Lieut.-Colonel Richardson, County Commandant, Special Constabulary, Co. Fermanagh. Also reported missing, now reported prisoner of war, Gunner John Moffitt, R.A., Saloon, Ballinamallard.

Missing - Pilot Officer Cecil Montgomery, who has been reported missing, following a flight over the English Channel, was a son of Mr. John Montgomery, Tullykeneye, Fivemiletown. He joined the R.A.F. in July, 1939, and was an Old Portoran.

Old Coin Found - While digging potatoes in his garden at Glassdrummond, Lisnaskea, Mr. Cecil M’Vitty unearthed a silver coin, George III dated 1816, in perfect preservation.

Old Portoran’s Success - It has been learnt that R.N. Parkinson-Cumine, last year’s head prefect at Portora, passed 1st into Royal Marines. His marks were only 10 behind the boy who took 9th place out of about 600 in for the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Indian Navy examination. Mr. Parkinson-Cumine is a grandson of the late Canon Parkinson-Cumine, rector of Newtownbutler.

Fine Record - Mr. Arthur Long, of Breandrum, Enniskillen, who has served 22 years in the army, has re-enlisted. He has served in the Indian and the Great War, and was stationed at Enniskillen about 18 years ago with the 36th Battery R.F.A.

New Fermanagh Church - The foundation stone of the new St. Joseph’s Church, Cooneen, Fermanagh, was on Sunday laid by the R.C. Bishop of Clogher, Dr. M’Kenna. The Bishop presided at Mass in old St. Joseph’s Church at 11.30, attended by an overflow congregation, many of whom were unable to gain admission, and celebrated by Rev. P. M’Glone, C.C., Brookeborough, of which parish Cooneen forms part. There was an attendance of nearly a thousand people at the ceremony, which was afterwards performed by the Bishop, with Rev. E. O’Hart, P.P., Tempo, as deacon; Very Rev. J. Canon Marron, P.P., Clones, as sub-deacon, and Rt. Rev. Monsignor Tierney, P.P., V.G., Enniskillen, as master of ceremonies.

Things in General - To Provide Spitfires - Every district is now keen on doing its bit towards raising money to buy Spitfires for the Royal Air Force.

Children’s Contribution - Things in General - Two little sisters, Patsy and Barbara Blair, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. David Blair, Belmore Street, Enniskillen, sent to the Spitfire fund 14s in halfpennies which they had collected.