Dr Matthew T Mellon, at 71 was the oldest member of the multi-millionaire family, arrived in Northern Ireland in June 1968 – the first of 50 members of the family who were travelling to the province to see their ancestral home at Mountjoy, Omagh, Co Tyrone. Dr Mellon said: “I wouldn’t say I’m a millionaire, perhaps ‘well-heeled’ would do?” He was to officially open the old cottage following its restoration. For the Mellons, the ceremony would be their first full reunion. Dr Mellon attended the inaugural meeting of the Scotch-Irish Trust of Ulster which had been set up with the aid of $250,000 gift from the Mellon family. Dr Mellon’s great-grandfather Thomas Mellon, left Omagh in 1818, and after a distinguished legal career, founded the Mellon Bank and Trust. Sir Francis Evans had presided over the meeting of the trust at Stormont Castle in June 1968. The other members of the trust included the Earl of Clanwilliam, Dr N A Burges, Vice-Chancellor of the New University of Ulster, the Marquess of Hamilton, Professor E E Evans and Mr Eric Montgomery. Dr Mellon saw on display a model of the Mellon house, one of a series of reconstructions of famous Scotch-Irish ancestral homes which had made a big impression at trade promotions in the United States of America. It had been built by Mr Colin Leathem, lecturer at Stranmillis College. After the meeting, the trust members met the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Captain Terence O’Neill, and were his guests at lunch in Parliament Buildings, Stormont. Picture: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitageplaceholder image
Dr Matthew T Mellon, at 71 was the oldest member of the multi-millionaire family, arrived in Northern Ireland in June 1968 – the first of 50 members of the family who were travelling to the province to see their ancestral home at Mountjoy, Omagh, Co Tyrone. Dr Mellon said: “I wouldn’t say I’m a millionaire, perhaps ‘well-heeled’ would do?” He was to officially open the old cottage following its restoration. For the Mellons, the ceremony would be their first full reunion. Dr Mellon attended the inaugural meeting of the Scotch-Irish Trust of Ulster which had been set up with the aid of $250,000 gift from the Mellon family. Dr Mellon’s great-grandfather Thomas Mellon, left Omagh in 1818, and after a distinguished legal career, founded the Mellon Bank and Trust. Sir Francis Evans had presided over the meeting of the trust at Stormont Castle in June 1968. The other members of the trust included the Earl of Clanwilliam, Dr N A Burges, Vice-Chancellor of the New University of Ulster, the Marquess of Hamilton, Professor E E Evans and Mr Eric Montgomery. Dr Mellon saw on display a model of the Mellon house, one of a series of reconstructions of famous Scotch-Irish ancestral homes which had made a big impression at trade promotions in the United States of America. It had been built by Mr Colin Leathem, lecturer at Stranmillis College. After the meeting, the trust members met the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Captain Terence O’Neill, and were his guests at lunch in Parliament Buildings, Stormont. Picture: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

Retro: 22 more old photographs from the News Letter archives from down through the years

Darryl Armitage
By Darryl Armitage

Journalist

Published 11th Sep 2024, 14:30 GMT

We have a superb selection of old photographs which come from the News Letter archives.

These photographs are from the archives down through the years. There are 22 in total.

We were wondering if any of our readers might be able to identify those in the photographs.

Have a look through this selection and let us know, drop us a comment, or email [email protected].

In the weeks and months, we hope to bring regular Retro pictures for readers to enjoy.

Dr Matthew T Mellon, at 71 was the oldest member of the multi-millionaire family, arrived in Northern Ireland in June 1968 – the first of 50 members of the family who were travelling to the province to see their ancestral home at Mountjoy, Omagh, Co Tyrone. Dr Mellon said: “I wouldn’t say I’m a millionaire, perhaps ‘well-heeled’ would do?” He was to officially open the old cottage following its restoration. For the Mellons, the ceremony would be their first full reunion. Dr Mellon attended the inaugural meeting of the Scotch-Irish Trust of Ulster which had been set up with the aid of $250,000 gift from the Mellon family. Dr Mellon’s great-grandfather Thomas Mellon, left Omagh in 1818, and after a distinguished legal career, founded the Mellon Bank and Trust. Sir Francis Evans had presided over the meeting of the trust at Stormont Castle in June 1968. The other members of the trust included the Earl of Clanwilliam, Dr N A Burges, Vice-Chancellor of the New University of Ulster, the Marquess of Hamilton, Professor E E Evans and Mr Eric Montgomery. Dr Mellon saw on display a model of the Mellon house, one of a series of reconstructions of famous Scotch-Irish ancestral homes which had made a big impression at trade promotions in the United States of America. It had been built by Mr Colin Leathem, lecturer at Stranmillis College. After the meeting, the trust members met the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Captain Terence O’Neill, and were his guests at lunch in Parliament Buildings, Stormont. Picture: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

1. News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

Dr Matthew T Mellon, at 71 was the oldest member of the multi-millionaire family, arrived in Northern Ireland in June 1968 – the first of 50 members of the family who were travelling to the province to see their ancestral home at Mountjoy, Omagh, Co Tyrone. Dr Mellon said: “I wouldn’t say I’m a millionaire, perhaps ‘well-heeled’ would do?” He was to officially open the old cottage following its restoration. For the Mellons, the ceremony would be their first full reunion. Dr Mellon attended the inaugural meeting of the Scotch-Irish Trust of Ulster which had been set up with the aid of $250,000 gift from the Mellon family. Dr Mellon’s great-grandfather Thomas Mellon, left Omagh in 1818, and after a distinguished legal career, founded the Mellon Bank and Trust. Sir Francis Evans had presided over the meeting of the trust at Stormont Castle in June 1968. The other members of the trust included the Earl of Clanwilliam, Dr N A Burges, Vice-Chancellor of the New University of Ulster, the Marquess of Hamilton, Professor E E Evans and Mr Eric Montgomery. Dr Mellon saw on display a model of the Mellon house, one of a series of reconstructions of famous Scotch-Irish ancestral homes which had made a big impression at trade promotions in the United States of America. It had been built by Mr Colin Leathem, lecturer at Stranmillis College. After the meeting, the trust members met the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Captain Terence O’Neill, and were his guests at lunch in Parliament Buildings, Stormont. Picture: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage Photo: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

Photo Sales
This Belfast work horse seems to be showing interest while Mr Taylor of R E Hamilton, Ltd, presents a cheque to Mr A A White, Newry Harriers Hunt, on behalf of this 1965 Scarva Horse Trials, which were to be held at Scarvagh House, Co Down, in September 1965. Picture: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

2. News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

This Belfast work horse seems to be showing interest while Mr Taylor of R E Hamilton, Ltd, presents a cheque to Mr A A White, Newry Harriers Hunt, on behalf of this 1965 Scarva Horse Trials, which were to be held at Scarvagh House, Co Down, in September 1965. Picture: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage Photo: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

Photo Sales
We were wondering if any of our readers might be able to identify those in the photographs.

3. News Letter archives/Steven McAuley

We were wondering if any of our readers might be able to identify those in the photographs. Photo: News Letter archives/Steven McAuley

Photo Sales
We were wondering if any of our readers might be able to identify those in the photographs.

4. News Letter archives/Brian Little

We were wondering if any of our readers might be able to identify those in the photographs. Photo: News Letter archives/Brian Little

Photo Sales
Previous
1 / 6
Next Page
News you can trust since 1737
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice