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.

Lord Clanwilliam, chairman of the Northern Ireland National Trust, pictured in July 1977 with a smiling Robert McKinstry, consultant to the trust outside the South West wing of Mount Stewart House. Picture: News Letter archives/Darryl

17. News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

Lord Clanwilliam, chairman of the Northern Ireland National Trust, pictured in July 1977 with a smiling Robert McKinstry, consultant to the trust outside the South West wing of Mount Stewart House. Picture: News Letter archives/Darryl Photo: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

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

18. 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

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Pictured in July 1993 are Aoife Clarke and Tristan McMillan, both from Belfast, who teamed up with IFA coach Nadine Long during the Coca Cola Soccer Fun Week which was held at Cherryvale Playing Fields in Belfast. Picture: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

19. News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

Pictured in July 1993 are Aoife Clarke and Tristan McMillan, both from Belfast, who teamed up with IFA coach Nadine Long during the Coca Cola Soccer Fun Week which was held at Cherryvale Playing Fields in Belfast. Picture: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage Photo: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

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All dressed up and ready for the Ulster Horse Ploughing Championships at Gliford in February 1999 are Andrew White, Rebecca Weir, Alice Patterson and Claire McCracken with Johnny the donkey. Picture: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

20. News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

All dressed up and ready for the Ulster Horse Ploughing Championships at Gliford in February 1999 are Andrew White, Rebecca Weir, Alice Patterson and Claire McCracken with Johnny the donkey. Picture: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage Photo: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

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