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The 1938 Dennis fire engine used in the film
'Closing the Ring', photographed outside Lisburn Museum.
FILM stars are normally reluctant to reveal
their true age but a Lisburn 'grande dame' who featured
prominently in a recent Holywood production shot on location in
Belfast is unlikely to mind anyone knowing she celebrates her
70th birthday this year.
Indeed, Lisburn Museum's shiny red 1938
Dennnis Fire Engine is four years younger than the other star of
'Closing the Ring' Hollywood veteran Shirley MacLaine who
attended the film's Belfast premiere recently along with its
Director Sir Richard Attenborough.
The plot centres around a local man's search
for the rightful owner of a ring found at the site of a Second
World War US Air Force plane crash on Cave Hill in 1944.
Lisburn Museum was approached for advice and
assistance about making the movie as authentic as possible and
fire engine DZ6866 was provided under strict guard.
In the film it is seen rushing through
Belfast's streets on its way to the scene of the crash.
This must have been a case of 'deja-vu' for DZ6866 as it saw
real service during conflict when Belfast was bombed by the
Luftwaffe in 1941.
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Take your chance to
view some historic film images |
American soldiers in Northern Ireland during
the Second World War.
 LISBURN Museum is one of a number of selected locations
throughout Northern Ireland to offer a library of film images
about the province from the beginning of moving film in 1897
right up to the year 2000.
These belong to the Digital film Archive
produced by the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission
and the extracts, compiled by decade, are listed under topics
such as newsreels and sport.
For example there's a 1940s news item about
American soldiers in Northern Ireland and a 1982 transport
feature about the De Lorean car which was manuctured at
Derriaghy. Anyone can view the Archive at any time during Museum
opening hours. The Museum cannot print any of the film material
or make copies of it as it is the property of NIFTC
Historical Society prepares for second
meeting of 2008
LSBURN Historical Society will hold its
February meeting in the Museum on Wednesday (February 6) at
7.30pm.
The speaker will be Colonel Robin Charley
whose topic will he 'The Order of St. John'. Anyone wishing to
attend will be made very welcome.
The Society began 2008 with a 'Members Night' in
the Museum on Wednesday January 9 when those attending brought
along 'objects of interest and curiosity' for display and
discussion.
Curator Brian Mackey and Museum Services
Manager Paul Allison were on hand to add their 'expert'
opinions.
Several interesting objects were produced
including an early Belleek dinner plate, a piece of petrified
wood from Lough Neagh and a trench periscope.
One of the more obscure items was a
navigational instrument known as a station pointer which was
used to plot accurate locations on charts for coastal navigation
or surveying.
Many of those present felt this was a much
more elegant piece of workmanship than the satellite navigation
system which has replaced it.
There was much lively debate about some of the items as their
histories and ownership were recounted. Museum staff would like
to thank everyone who entered into the spirit of the evening.
The mid 19th century brass navigational
instrument known as a station pointer which was admired at
the Historical Society's Members Night. It was marked
'Ballast Office, Dublin' and was used to accurately
determine a position on a navigational chart by using the
arms to measure the angles between landmarks and
transferring their positions to the circle on the station
pointer. With the arms clamped, the station pointer was
placed on a chart and the required location could be read
off in the centre of the circle and marked on a chart.
Murder Mystery evening proving popular
TICKETS are already selling well for the
period costume 'Murder Mystery Evening' to be held at the Museum
on Wednesday February 13.
This will involve dubious characters skulking
in the 18th century Assembly Room and the tickets cost �10
including a buffet supper.
Anyone wishing to attend should call at
Museum Reception or telephone 9266 3377 for further details.
Ulster Star
01/02/2008
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