Monthly Archives: May 2011

Lord Pirrie's Pride and Fall , by Eddie McIlwaine

Right from the fateful March 31 1909 when the keel of the Titanic was laid down at Harland and Wolff, the chairman of the company, former Lord Mayor of Belfast Lord William James Pirrie, was a regular visitor to his … Continue reading

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Titanic Launch Centenary

Today is the Centenary of the launch of the Titanic and I am off to the City Hall to see the beginning of the celebrations there with another launch, this time of a book to mark the occasion, Belfast Shipbuilders-A … Continue reading

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The Shire Reeve's Tale: 29

Today I was delighted,as High Sheriff of Belfast to welcome the Pirrie family to the Harbour Commissioner's Office in Belfast. This, as is my wont, I did in Engish, Ulster Gaelic (Ulidian) and Ulster-Scots(Ullans). Then I addressed them as follows: … Continue reading

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The Shire Reeve's Tale: 28

As High Sheriff of Belfast I was honoured to have been asked to preside over Linfield F.C.'s 125th Anniversary Dinner at the City Hall, Belfast tonight. In the mid 1960's, while a medical student at Queen's Universary I bought a … Continue reading

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The Nomadic, by Eddie McIlwaine

A stroll across the deck of the ferry tender Nomadic at her harbourside rest in Belfast, where she was launched in 1911, is like stepping back in time. For this vessel of some 1,200 gross tonnage and capable once of … Continue reading

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The Queen at Islandbridge

  Today, as Chairman of the Somme Association, I was in Dublin with Carol Walker, our Director, at the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Ireland. Both unionist and nationalist politicians from Northern Ireland were among those present … Continue reading

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My Years on Council

Dr IAN ADAMSON OBE  Curriculum Vitae as Councillor-Ulster Unionist Party Elected as Councillor to represent the Victoria Electoral Area in May 1989. Re-elected as Councillor to represent the Victoria Electoral Area in May 1993, May 1997, June 2001 and May 2005. … Continue reading

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The Shire Reeve's Tale: 27

On 11th May, 2011, the following article by Rebecca Black appeared in the News-Letter of Belfast. The Ulster Unionist Party membership of Belfast City Council had been reduced to three out of 51 members, with the subsequent symbolic loss of … Continue reading

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A Letter from the President: Her Excellency Mary McAleese

Uachtarán Na hÉireannPresident of Ireland 11 May 2011 Dr. Ian Adamson Dear Ian, I am very sorry to hear that the outcome of the recent local elections means that you will not a member of the incoming Belfast City Council. … Continue reading

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Invitation, from Gerry Adams TD

For the attention of Ian Adamson. Teach Laighean,Sráid Chill Dara,Baile Átha Cliath, 1 11.05.2011 Ian, a chara, I hope this letter finds you well. Sinn Féin is holding a conference in Dublin and I would be grateful if you would … Continue reading

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