David Wylie - May '08
I live in Larne and found your article very interesting. I am a keen photographer (not very good but keen) and live facing St Cedmas church. If you would like some photos of the church or any othe photos of Larne let me know.

Glen Brown - May '07
Brown's Irish Linen Factory on Lower Waterloo Road employed many from the surrounding areas. The Late Tom Harvey (Grandad to Dennis & Harris Harvey and Shirley Strong) was Foreman there in 1950s & 60s. He lived in Herbert Avenue. When I was about nine when getting shown round by Tom and his daughter Ethel Shirley's late Mum. I recall the deafening noise (who said pardon?) that the looms made. Ethel like her own Mum was a lovely person. Ethel's husband Andy Dewart worked (Works Garage) Maintenance Department, AEI/GEC, Larne. I'm sure at one time every house in Larne had aan irish linen tea (glass) towel.

I recall a wee story about an Ulster chap who tried to commit suicide. First by trying to slash his veins but the knife was too blunt, so he tried rat poison that just made him very thirsty. He tried hanging by a rope, it snapped. He tried to get a gun but he was'nt a paramilitary, so he could'nt get one. He tried a length of electic cable it just stretched (no electric, he'd been cut off). Finally and fatally he tore up his bed sheet, tied it around his neck and hung himself. Over ten years passed before his body was found, it was still swinging, for the sheet had been made from 'pure irish linen'.

Brian Shaw - Apr '07
I doubt if trains ever went on the boats.
The railway gauge in Ireland is 5' 3", whereas that in GB is 4' 8 1/2".

Glen Brown - Feb '07
A stroll through town Dec 2006.
Those of us that live away from Larne may already know that CRAIG's CELLAR on Larne Main Street (formerly known as Blair's Cellar, The Tavern, The Railway Bar (when it was once owned by the Railway Company), was demolished in recent weeks. This new open space like similar sites in Larne (Laharna Hotel , Robinsons Bar, Albert Graham.s Guft shop etc at corner of Quay street ) may or may not be built on in near future? No doubt an artist impressions will appear in local newspaper but no website like the proposad for Magheramorne Harbour and Quarry.
In my late teens The Tavern was a popular venue to meet and drink with friends. Several Larne bars have already gone in passing years and there's no odd's on being quoted on how long the surviving bars will remain.
Cheers!
The old Pye/ STC site is now be developed with dwellings.

Last year a favourite haunt of mine, a venue for friends to meet was in Cockles Row at Dougie McIntyre's office there. Always a warm welcome and good crack with Dougie. His regular callers on business or just for the crack. Dougie had to retire early due to ill health. When I called again recently at his home the warmth of his friendship is still strong. and he's in good spirit.

Glen Brown -Nov '06
Amanda,
Larne Historical Society have over past years have published several articles on this subject in their magazine 'The Curran' (currently publication has ceased). I know a friend who has all editions. Likewise several local authors have published books, several refer to that period. Most Larne Book shops will help on request. Also, Larne Historial Centre (ground floor of the old Carnegie Library, Victoria Road, Larne, Open Mon-Friday afternoons excluding Public Holidays etc., has information on the subject.

If you do not live in or visit Larne please advise me further I will try and obtain the specific information want?

Amanda - Oct '06
Does anyone know of any history of Larne Main Street in the 1800's particulary what was in the building which is now apsley shop?

Sheena Geysen (Burns) - Sep '06
Just read the comments from Bill Dougherty. I loved French lessons. I have very happy memories of his classes at Larne Grammar. Mr Dougherty was not like most other teachers. My first memory in 1st form is of him coming into the classroom, perching on top of the table cross-legged, and telling jokes in French. If you laughed at the right time, he knew you understood! They were good times. I still remember my French even though I haven't used it in 38 years (since migrating to Australia in 1968). I'm hoping to be in France for a short visit next September with my son, daughter-in-law and grand-daughter. That will test out how good his teaching was! All the very best.

Rosemary M Chalmers - July '06
My grandfather, Robert Samuel Myles, was living in Larne in 1892. I have no idea when he moved there but it was after 1881. In February 1892 he married my grandmother , Annie Russell.
Granddad gave his occupation as an electrician.

I therefore wonder whether he might have been working for the Larne Electric Light & Power Company? Does anyone know if there are any records of employees available.

By 1899 my grandparents had moved to Hastings, Sussex. Grandfather having been born in Brighton in December 1868 was therfore returning to be near his family.

Andy Wilson (Cllr) - Feb '06
Bill Dougherty was the teacher who was assigned to my class- 1S on the day before term started in September 1980 at Larne Grammar School .

I was amazed to find out that he actually taught my dad. He must have the secret of eternal youth. 20 years later I married his neice! It's a small world, especially in Larne.

John McKay - Feb '06
Where was the Sun Laundry in Larne.. hint close to Queen st.....

What school sat beside an Italian prisoner camp world war 11

Joe the umbrella man...

Lovely Martha, the man who gave out the song sheets for 1 penny or tuppence and sang mostly in the pubs in Larne which he visited frequently...

Larne mineral water co...

Bleach green.....

A pub at the head of the town with a name that had nothing to do with swingers...?

Glen Brown - Feb '06
F.A.O. Bill Dougherty Jan'06
(ATTENTION YPAM TEAM: please pass this onto Bill. I don't personal know Bill, however I wish to encourage him to contribute further articles regarding his time in Larne).

Bill,
I write in reply to your article to inform you that folk have read your submission and I hope that you will contribute more articles of your time spent in Larne.

You may be aware that many former Larne Grammar School pupils are, like myself, members of the FRIENDS REUNITED (FsR). Yes, there is even a contribution page for/about Staff too.
Personally, in recent years through FsR and YPAM, I've made contact with several old friends from my schools and my career.

Though I have lived in Edinburgh, Scotland since 1969, I keep regular contact with my Larne and ex Larne friends.
I look forward to reading your 'shared memories'.
Yours in friendship,
Glen Brown
02/02/2006
EDINBURGH

Bill Dougherty - January '06
I have many happy (and some sad) memories of Larne. I came to the town in 1952, to teach in the Modern Languages Department of the Grammar School. I'm sure many people remember Miss Ida McGeown who was Vice Principal and Head of Modern Languages at that time. I lodged with Miss Nellie Logan in Clonlee and passed McManus's forge and the gasworks in Main Street on my way to school. Greg McManus was one of my pupils. I remained at the Grammar until 1989, when I retired and came to live in France. I wonder if there is anybody "out there" with whom I share a memory or two.

John McCrea - November '05
Hello to you all in Larne.
My name is John McCrea and live here in the UK, my father came from Larne but moved to Essex many years ago, sadly passed away in 1997. He still has a brother and sister who both live there. I am currently researching my family history and the name McCrea, I would like to ask if anybody can help me with a few things.

I am trying to find census records for the Larne area, my GG grand father Andrew McCrea married Mary Leith, had two sons that i know of John & Samuel (may be more) on his son's (John) marriage certificate his address is 1 Fair Hill Larne, can anybody tell me what this is called today? The same for Queens Street Larne, one of my great uncles told me it was known to whoever lived there as Flood row, anyone know what it is now? Also trying to trace Wilfred McCrea, I think he is known as "China" around the Larne area. Thanks for reading this. John McCrea

Lewis Hart - October '05
I can well remember my youth, on the way home to waterloo road from the back road school stopping at the damask end of browns factory to see my aunt aggie checking the linen for faults whilst my mother elizabeth and her sister iris were in the weaving shop, proceeding on to see stoker russel in the boiler house, he lived in the cottage beside it.

Then up waterloo road to my aunt sarah ferguson who always give one a treat, then to recreation road where my grandmother Mary mc Neill lived, wednesdays and saturdays were the days to look forward to, that's when she had the griddle in full swing i can still taste the fresh soda bread amply covered with butter.

I often wonder where all the pals i used to know are now the likes of Alec Craigie, Eddie Brownlee, Davy Lilley, Bertie Snoddy and many others to many to print, i expect they are retired like myself.

Memories of the back road school who remembers David Logan the head master and the infamous Snib Grange. Happy days recalling watching the POWS bagging coal in the yard next to the playground, but the best bit was watching Mr Mc Manus shoeing the horses up the entry beside Poots chemist shop. Reflecting my youth with today there is no comparison in a way i was glad to be born in the late thirties. I would welcome comments from anyone.

Lewis Hart - October '05
Chaines memorial monument, i believe james chaine is buried in the small cemetery in chaines park, and is believed to be standing up looking out to sea.

Zandra Ellis - Sept '05
Curran Park is a fond memory of my childhood in Larne. I lived on Curran Avenue and played daily in the park in those days. I lived out all my childhood fantasies of fairies and castles there and the park sweeping down to the sea is forever imbedded in my heart and mind.
Does anyone remember Margaret Bailey, my childhood friend who lived in the Roddens? I wonder what became of her.

Tim Plumley - April '05
I have an old painting, titled Cairn Castle, Ireland. It is painted on the back side of the glass itself. Not sure who painted it, I have not removed it from the large frame to see below it. Just wondering if anyone has any info concerning the castle or has heard of similar paintings of it?

Michael Curran - April '05
Dear Ian
Nice to hear from you, and all the news conveyed, very interesting. However, you do not mention "The Old Shipyard Larne Harbour", you may recall the old wheel borrow which we used at "The Huts". The wheel borrow had "Old Shipyard " which was burn stamped on on the handle. I wonder if it would still be knocking about?

Kindest regards

Michael.

Ian McCarlie - March 05
To Michael Curran

Hi, Michael. It is a long time sice we last spoke.
Regarding the early days of electricity supply, please see my response to Ignatius Reynolds article on electricity etc on this web site.

Michael Curran - March 05
Ian,
I would still like to know the Date that Michael Curran (Grandfather) came into possession of THE OLD SHIPYARD. I understood the site was to be for POWER STATION. Submarine Engines were available at the time. Did Wm Crawford use one at Curran Point. I understand one was installed in Portadown. Was there a connection to the "HOME STORES" site on the Main Street. Originally "Lyceum Cafe"

John (Ian) McCarlie, Newcastle, New South Wales - February '05
I have a lot of information on the two shipyards which were located on Curran Point, some from your brother Gerald ( re. M Curran below ) and the rest from the archives of Lloyd's Register of Shipping where I was a Ship and Engineer Surveyor for 30 years in Australia, Hong Kong, Korea and Japan.

The first yard was the Larne Shipbuilding Company formed in 1880 on land leased from James Chaine to Paul Picken, James Johnston, Robert Giffen, James Lenaghan, James Lappin and John McCann, Shipwrights, all of Larne. It appears that the yard concentrated on repair of small wooden sailing ships, of which a large number, about 50, were owned in the Larne and surrounding coastal area.

They had a slipway of around 500 tons lifting capacity facing the back lough and a jetty, built over the hulks of two wooden schooners, all the remains of which were still visible on my last visit a few years ago.

Towards the end of the 1890's, they started to build small iron and steel ships, on ways on the Castle side of the slipway. In 1917, the company was reformed as a Limited company and further land leased to Paul Picken, Robert Giffen, James Lappin Junior, Thomas Johnston and Thomas Hilditch. A further large slipway complex was laid out, about 1,000 tons lifting capacity, facing the front lough and it is understood that it was never completed. The site is now the East Antrim Boat Club.

Three slipways were laid down in what was your father's ( re M Curran below ) property and three 500 ton coaster were built there, launched into the Back Lough. They were sister ships, "Kerrymore" for McCowan of Tralee (a company later owned by Kellys of Belfast), "Kyleban" which shortly was sold to a Sydney company and became "Bealiba", and "Broughty" foe Dundee, Perth and London Shipping Co. The latter ship was completed at Glasgow after the yard closed down in March 1921. It would appear that the company had over-extended itself; engines and boilers had to be shipped from elsewhere, or as has been suggested the hulls were towed to the Clyde for installation of the machinery.

My old family home at Castle Place was built on the site of the yard and we moved there when the houses were new in about 1935. The rest you will remember well!

The second yard was the Olderfleet Shipbuilding and Engineering Co, incorporated in 1919. Persons involved were W H Kane, of Larne Foundry, Francis Brown of Belfast, Consulting Engineer; W Harbinson, Kilwaughter, Coal Merchant and Shipowner (Howdens); W Rainey, Larne; G Birch, Belfast, Electrical Engineer; C Burke, Draper; W Telford, Belfast, Ship Chandler; D Jeffrey, Alloa, Scotland (Jeffreys had built ships for Howdens)

The only ship I could trace that was built by them was a small steam dredger in 1921, built as "Nellie" for Howdens and probably used for dredging in the channel to their Bank Quays and possibly in the areas which were a bit deeper in the Back Lough when we were kids.

The site was at the end of Curran Point where the Power Station was subsequently located and the company was eventually dissolved in 1928. It must have lost a lot of money, in fact it was said that W. H. Kane was in debt to the Ulster Bank for many years.

I note that others are coming forward with information; I hope the foregoing will add to the story for it will soon be lost.

B. Gaines - January '05
Hi - how could I get in touch with the present owners of Kilwaughter ? My mother is a decendent of the Agnew family that built - owned and lived at Kilwaughter. My great - great - great grandmother was born at Kilwaughter. I was fascinated to see the photos that u have taken. Finding the history about the castle has been dificult, tho I go by an old journal written by Mrs Patrick Agnew ( sometime in the 1830 's) and annotated by my grandmother Harriet Agnew. They sold Kilwaughter to James Chaine and the contents of the castle as I understand it. They built Cairn Castle which was basically a large house built of basalt, and Harriet hated the place and longed for Kilwaughter. I havent been able to find any photos of Cairn Castle and was wondering if you could be so kind as to help us. Thank you.

David Nicholson - December '04
Michael Curran: The Larne Shipbuilding Company (1878-1918) was owned by 5 men. One of them, the managing director, was my great-grandfather, Paul Picken. He was also a long-time Larne councillor. His 1926 obituary stated that they had obtained the land from Mr. Chaine, another Larne name of great renown.

Michael Curran - November '04
Was the "Larne Shipbuilding Company" known as "Old Shipyard"Larne Harbour? Was one of the owners a Mr. Picken?

My Grandfather used the offices as a Summer House, and it was later used as a residence by Michael Curran his son. There was a large workshop attached, previously used by the shipyard. The shipyard covered 2 acres of land, all belonging to Curran.

Ian Sinclair:
The trains never ran through to Stranraer on the ferries. The Irish standard gauge is 5'3" whereas in Great Britain it is 4'8 1/2". Larne also had a narrow gauge 3' line (see The Short Sea Crossing). However train ferries were occasionally used on the route as conventional ferries, eg. Hampton Ferry.

Brian Willis:
Hi Ian, Thanks for the info. Wonder where I got the idea of trains going onto the boats? I guessed there must have been a narrow gauge track there at one time because yesterday we parked in "Narrow Gauge Road" in Larne. Regards.

Merlin:
The narrow gauge railway ran between Larne and Ballymena, via Ballyclare. Before the new bypass and flyover were built in Larne, there were old railway arches that my father used to point out as belonging to the narrow-gauge. At various places along the route there are still signs of it, in the form of suspiciously flat strips of land.

Jim McIntyre
FAO: glen brown
after reading your piece on calling into cockle row and having a chat and tea with big dougie mcintyre it brought back a few memories.dougie was my father,he passed away just before new years eve.i can remember calling in to my dad and finding the place packed with people,putting the world to rights.the kettle was always brewing,and there was always buns for everyone.sometimes there were two or three uniformed policemen who had called in on the sly for a quick cup of tea and a crafty smoke.they were happy times,its a wonder he did any work at all.but i can tell you he loved all you lot coming in to him.