“LIGHT OF OTHER DAYS AROUND COALISLAND

Stories of coal, cotton, clay, canals, steam and iron.”

Compiled by Sammy McKay

Sammy McKay was born in December 1931. At the age of 19, like generations of his family before him, he started working at the Coalisland Weaving Company Limited.  When the factory closed, he had successfully reached the position of Production Manager.  He later developed an interest in local history and it is this passion which resulted in Light of Other Days Around Coalisland, a unique collection of essays and interviews exploring pastimes in his hometown. Sammy and his wife, Stella Rosalee, still live in Coalisland and he remains a central figure in the preservation and recording of its industrial heritage.

Please note this amendment to page 46:
A photograph of the miners from the Ballynakelly fireclay pit taken in 1931.  Included are the two victims of the pit disaster of May 1943, James Templeton and John Williamson.
Standing (from left): John Williamson, J. Kelly, R. Buller, J. Skelton, R.J. Simpson, Richard Templeton.
Seated: Mickey McNally, R. McLernon, D. Cullen, F. O’Neill, James Templeton.

HISTORY OF THE COALISLAND WEAVING FACTORY

A brief insight into the history of the weaving factory and some background to the weaving factory museum.

For more on the Coalisland Weaving Factory and our industrial heritage, visit our page about the “Coalisland Experience” and the Coalisland Weaving Factory Museum.

THE STORY OF COAL MINING IN COALISLAND & DISTRICT

Find out why coal mining has been so important to the development and heritage of East Tyrone.

ROAN SPINNING MILLS

The textile industry was just as important as coal mining in East Tyrone. This is the story of one of the largest mills in the area.

EXCAVATION REPORT FOR FOWLER’S POTTERY, DERRYBUOY, COALISLAND.

This is the detailed report from our excavation in June 2019, published by the Centre for Community Archaeology, Queen’s University.

For much more on the potteries of Coalisland, visit our page about the excavation of Fowler’s Pottery in June 2019.

HIBERNIAN CHEMICAL FACTORY

One of the earliest chemical works in Ireland was opened in 1848 in Coalisland.  It ran into difficulties from the start and was never a success.

COALISLAND INDUSTRIAL DATELINE

Discover the dates of some of the most important developments in Coalisland’s industrial history over the last five centuries.

COALISLAND WEAVING FACTORY DATELINE

The Coalisland Weaving Factory started production in 1868 and this is a quick and easy guide to the most important events in its history.

ÁISEANNA GAEILGE – IRISH LANGUAGE RESOURCES

MIANAIGH GUAIL OILEÁN AN GHUAIL

Leathanaigh Oibre

Tugann na leathanaigh oibre seo intreoir dár dtionclaíocht áitiúil mhianadóireacht guail.

ÁISEANNA GAEILGE – IRISH LANGUAGE RESOURCES

SCÉAL MHIANADÓIREACHT GUAIL IN OILEÁN AN GHUAIL AGUS SAN CEANTAIR MAGUAIRD

Faigh amach cén fáth a raibh mianadóireacht guail chomh tábhachtach sin d’fhorbairt agus do dhúchás Thír Eoghain Thoir.

EXCAVATION REPORT FOR NEWMILLS.

For our second archaeological dig, the Centre for Community Archaeology, Queen’s University, excavated a green field site in the village of Newmills, Co. Tyrone, from 9 – 20 August.  Records show that there was once a spade factory, co-operative dairy and a terrace of workers’ houses called Creamery Row in the field. Our thanks to Mihail Bell for the opportunity to excavate his field.

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