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.

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

9. News Letter archives/William Cherry/Presseye

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

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

10. News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

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

Photo Sales
Making a prize draw in a ballot at an open evening in Newtownabbey College of Further Education in July 1993 are Ulster Bank branch manager Alastair Morrow, left, Tom Swain, head of the social education department and Roxanne Magee. Proceeds were in aid of the Romanian appeal. Picture: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

11. News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

Making a prize draw in a ballot at an open evening in Newtownabbey College of Further Education in July 1993 are Ulster Bank branch manager Alastair Morrow, left, Tom Swain, head of the social education department and Roxanne Magee. Proceeds were in aid of the Romanian appeal. Picture: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage Photo: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

Photo Sales
A family affair: Beverly Forsythe and her mother Elizabeth, who played with the Carryduff Accordion Band, and dad Maurice, who played with Ballylesson Flute Band, were all taking part in the Belfast parade for the Boyne anniversary services in July 1993. Picture: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

12. News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

A family affair: Beverly Forsythe and her mother Elizabeth, who played with the Carryduff Accordion Band, and dad Maurice, who played with Ballylesson Flute Band, were all taking part in the Belfast parade for the Boyne anniversary services in July 1993. Picture: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage Photo: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

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