Flower festival committee: L to R: Rev Canon George Irwin (rector), Finny O'Sullivan, Kaye Sommerville (founder member of Ballymacash Flower Club), Roberta Orr (chairperson of Ballymacash Flower Club), Irene Moore, Sandra Vanner, Joan Lockhart (founder member of Ballymacash Flower Club), Ronnie Taylor and the Very Rev William McMillan MBE (Flower display designer). Picture by John Kelly. Flower festival committee: L to R: Rev Canon George Irwin (rector), Finny O’Sullivan, Kaye Sommerville (founder member of Ballymacash Flower Club), Roberta Orr (chairperson of Ballymacash Flower Club), Irene Moore, Sandra Vanner, Joan Lockhart (founder member of Ballymacash Flower Club), Ronnie Taylor and the Very Rev William McMillan MBE (Flower display designer). Picture by John Kelly.
A flower festival and historical exhibition held in St Mark’s Parish Church, Ballymacash, Lisburn, Diocese of Connor, attracted almost 2,000 visitors
The event celebrated the completion of a renovation scheme at the church and sought to engage with the local community which has been served by St Mark’s Church since 1892.
The rector of Ballymacash, the Rev Canon George Irwin, said interest in the festival, which took place over the weekend of October 7–9, had exceeded all expectations.
The parish is now hoping to create a historical archive which will be available to anyone interested in the history of Ballymacash to view.
Entitled ‘Celebration,’ the festival of flowers was designed and co–ordinated by world–renowned flower artist, the Rev William McMillan, MBE, and members of Ballymacash Flower Club
The historical exhibition endeavoured to trace the development of the church and community in the Ballymacash area from the 17th century.
David Moore points out a photo of himself to his wife Irene at the Scout display, part of the historical exhibition in St Mark's Church, Ballymacash. The photo was taken at the Lisburn & District Boy Scouts ‘Gang Show' held in Lisburn Orange Hall in 1954. Picture by John Kelly.
David Moore points out a photo of himself to his wife Irene at the Scout display, part of the historical exhibition in St Mark’s Church, Ballymacash. The photo was taken at the Lisburn & District Boy Scouts ‘Gang Show’ held in Lisburn Orange Hall in 1954. Picture by John Kelly.
As well as the extensive display of photographs, the exhibition included bound parish magazines dating back to the 1930s; old Sunday School registers and certificates; a copy of the minute–book kept by Ballymacash Unionist Club 1912 – 1920; ordnance survey maps showing the progress of urbanisation; extracts from early 19th century Orange Lodge records; a copy of Benjamin Workman’s journal containing early 19th century references to the area and a collection of hundreds of newspaper cuttings relating to events in the area from the 18th century.
The festival opening service was attended by founder members and members of Ballymacash Flower Club. The special guests included Lisburn Mayor, Councillor Brian Heading, Alderman Paul Givan MLA and Alderman Jonathan Craig MLA.
The service was led by Canon Irwin, assisted by the curate, the Rev Kenneth Gamble. The address was given by Mr McMillan who spoke of the desire to see the uncommon in the common and the intricate power of creation.
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