200-year-old clock makes family trip ‘Down Under’
The 200-year-old clock which has completed an 11,000 mile jounrey from Randalstown to New Zealand
A GRANDFATHER clock has completed an epic journey of 11,000 miles – from Co Antrim to New Zealand – to be united with a descendant of the man who built it.
The 200-year-old clock was discovered last year in a shop in Randalstown by American friends of New Zealander Doug Agnew.
Incredibly, the clock had been made by Mr Agnew’s great, great grandfather James Agnew in the early 1800s.
James Agnew emigrated from Northern Ireland in 1833 for a new life “Down Under”.
Now, almost 180 years later, the clock he made has retraced the mammoth journey, albeit by air rather then sea.
Doug, who lives in Wellington, told the News Letter of his joy at receiving this unique piece of family heritage, which stands at a towering height of 7ft 3in.
“It’s arrival at the gate was very exciting and at last the journey’s end was in sight,” he said.
“It was magnificent and a joy to behold. With my wife’s assistance I lifted the clock into an upright position and there it was standing before me.
“This was what my great, great grandfather had created and it was exactly as I expected it.”
The 62-year-old, who has served in the New Zealand army for 20 years, described the grand old time-piece as the “miracle clock”, referring to its discovery in McKeown’s Jewellery Shop in Randalstown.
“I continue to marvel at this clock, at the way in which it was found by Barb and Mike [Doug’s American friends] who weren’t looking for it but just happened to come across it by some miracle.
“To Barry [from Randalstown] – for maintaining contact and getting the clock to New Zealand was a massive task in itself – my thanks for a job well done.”
He added: “The clock has been ticking but not continuously yet and we have heard it chime for the first time.
“This clock will be treasured for many years to come. A big thank-you to everyone involved.
“I’m hoping to make a visit to Ireland some time in the future. Perhaps by that time I may have found some living relatives.
“But for the time being, I am delighted to have found this clock, and the remarkable way in which it was found.”
Barry O’Boyle, manager at McKeown’s in Randalstown, described the clock – which had been gathering dust for several years – as a “once in-a-lifetime” discovery.
“We were all absolutely stunned. I couldn’t it believe when I read the name on the clock, I had never paid that much attention to it before,” said Barry.
“I have been working here for nearly 18 years and we had many, many requests for old clocks and watches down the years, but never have I heard of a coincidence like this.
“Even when I think about it now I still find it hard to believe.”
Records show that both the British and Irish were among the largest groups of migrants to settle in New Zealand from the early 1800s onwards.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
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