Comber Cistercian Abbey Stones dating From 1199
We are in st Mary's Parish church just off the main square in Comber Co Down
Just inside the church entrance there is a display of 19 stones that are believed to come from the original Comber Cistercian Abbey/Monastery that was on this site from 1199. These Abbey stones are some 600 years old. They are of sandstone from Scrabo. It is thought that other abbey stones may have been built into the walls of the graveyard or indeed St Mary's church building itself. Details of how these ancient stones were 'refound' and refurbished are included in the display.
Comber Co Down
The 11 July 2013,smile all round for this work
JAZZ and BLUES GIRL, OTTILIE PATTERSON'S Comber home
The story of Comber born Ottilie Pattersons rise to fame in the 1950s/60s including her marriage for a time to jazz musician Chris Barber, will perhaps have faded from ageing memories but not so local jazz enthusiasts who still hold the former blues singer in high esteem. A plaque commemorating the life of Ottilie Patterson was unveiled at the home of her birth No 26 Carnesure Terrace, Comber, Co Down on 23rd February 2012.
I was amazed to discover recently that 1950s and 60s international singing sensation, jazz and blues singer, Ottilie Patterson was born and grew up in this house in Comber, only a few miles from our house!
As a young boy our radio was constantly on and I remember hearing Ottilie Patterson singing. Like so many others I had not realized that she was a white girl who could sing jazz and blues like a black girl. Perhaps it was her name, given to her by her Latvian other that completely threw me off. No less a person than Louis Armstrong is quoted as saying; That gal puts me in min' of Bessie Smith.
Ottile Patterson was the female singing sensation of her day. She sang with all the big stars and travelled the world appearing in all the hot spots. (Humphrey Littleton, Chris Barber, Acker Bilk, Muddy Waters, Kenny Ball, Lonnie Donegan, George Melly. )
The volume of recordings she produced over the years was phenomemal.
ANNA OTTILIE PATTERSON
1932 - 2011
Anna Ottilie Patterson was born here in Comber, Northern Ireland, on 31 January 1932 died Ayr, Scotland, 20 June 2011.
One of the greatest Jazz and Interprative singers that has ever been. She studied the piano from the age of ten and trained as a classical pianist.
She studied art at the Belfast College of Technology and formed her own band Muskrat Ramblers. Sometime on or about 1954 she was a teaching at Ballymena Technical College. She joined the Barber Jazz band full-time on 1st January 1955, making her first public appearance at the Royal Festival Hall on 9th January 1955.
Known internationally as Ottilie she produced a vast list of recordings on a considerable number of record ladels with some of the greatest British Jazz exponents such as:- Humphrey Littleton, Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball and Chris Barber, to drop but a few names from her illustrious career. Here is a few of the tracks she recorded there are many others:-
As Long As I'm Moving,
Baby Please Don't Go,
Backwater Blues,
Beale St. Blues,
Blueberry Hill,
Careless Love,
Don't Fish In My Sea,
Heavenly Sunshine,
Hello, Dolly!,
I Can't Give You Anything But Love,
I Love My Baby,
I Shall Not Be Moved,
I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate,
Jailhouse Blues,
Jealous Heart,
Kay Cee Rider,
Let Him Go Let Him Tarry,
Lonesome Road,
Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean,
Make Me a Pallet On the Floor,
Mean Mistreater,
New St. Louis Blues,
Poor Man's Blues,
Salty Dog,
Shipwreck Blues,
Spring Song,
Sweet Georgia Brown,
'Taint No Sin,
Tell Me Where Is Fancy Bred,
The Bitterness Of Death/ Spring Song,
There'll Be A Hot Time In Old Town Tonight,
Trombone Cholly,
Trouble In Mind,
Ugly Child,
Weeping Willow Blues,
When Things Go Wrong,
Fame did not go to her head and she remained a very private and reserved lady. Ottilie retired during 1984, She lived in Ayr, Scotland for thirty years latterly moving to a private care home where she died at the age of 79. It was her own wish that she lived in quiet anonymity and her family did not make public her passing. Ottilie chose the Rozelle Holm Farm, Care Home, in Ayr knowing that her privacy and rights as an individual would be respected.
She was laid to rest in the private family plot in Comber.
COMBER SQUARE, TITANIC and CPL. CHANNING DAY link
I'm on a wee trip down the road to the market town of Comber.
Although it is only a short drive out of Belfast (about 11 miles or so ) everything about market town Comber seems relaxed to the point of sleepiness! This film was shot entirely in the Square at Comber.
The War Memorial tributes in the Square list the Comber men who died in the 1st World War. There is also in the 2nd World War and beyond plinth as Comber's sons and daughters continue to die for their country. The latest loss being Cpl. Channing Day killed in Afghanistan in 2012.
A British female Army medic and one of her male comrades were shot dead by an off duty Afghan policeman as she made her way to give first aid lessons to local police officers, an inquest heard.
Ards Flight
take off on 17/05/2013
Ardnavalley, Ballydrain Road, Comber
St Cooey's Wells Investigation
Hey friends and fellow Paranormal Enthusiasts,
We would love to share with you the findings from our 3 visits to Cooey's wells. You can also listen to our evp session when we got our k2 meter responses. Let us know in the comments section what you see or hear in our photos and recording.
ALAN BROWN old racer, COMBER MOTORBIKE SHOW INTERVIEW
Was down at Comber 1st Presbyterian Church's Motorbike Show Fri /Sat 30th/31st Jan 2015 and ran into this great guy Alan an ex motorbike racer from away back when. Give him a listen! I don't think that you'll be disappointed! I'm not sure of his correct name because I lost it in all the noise and was too embarrassed to ask again. I think he said it was Alan Bright or Bride or Brown? He was 77, at least that's what he owned up, to and he said he'd raced against Geoff Duke (now 91!) and John Surtees who is now in his 80's! I couldn't believe it! Some character! Does anyone recognise him?
Island Hill Newtownards Co Down N Ireland
Found on the coastline half way between Comber and Newtownards is scenic Island Hill. A small island conneced to the mainland by a narrow man made concrete causeway which is submerged for hours with the incoming tide.
A great place to unwind and getavf back to nature because you are surrounded by wonderful coastal views of Strangford Lough, views of drumlin farmland and then you have also a vibrant bird life all the year round.
Seabirds, ducks and Geese abound especially in Winter.
A host of Golden Daffodils at Comber Co Down Northern Ireland
Driving along over to Comber, via Pear Tree Hill and the Hillhead Road outside Dundonald, I came across this field of daffodils just left there unpicked. Why? I don't know.
I couldn't resist immortalising the scene on video.
A host of golden daffodils!
' I WANDERED lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.'
William Wordsworth 1888
POEM - NENDRUM by Irish poet Starling* - beautiful contemporary poetry from Ireland
POEM by Starling* ... based upon experiences at Nendrum old monastic site just outside Comber, on the Ards Peninsula.
IMAGE by Starling* ... 'Nendrum Gatehouse' 2016
Nendrum Ulster - Northern Ireland - Walter Interview
This short film is an interview with writer and journalist Walter Ellis about the place he considers to be his favourite place in his native Ulster ( N Ireland ).
Walks with Harvey - Ireland's Biggest Megalith ! Strangford Lough Walks
Today Harvey and I visit Ireland’s biggest Megalith at Delamont Country Park. New videos every week.
Stunning view from Cavehill, Belfast.
Amazing view from Cavehill looking over belfast & belfast lough
A formerly strife-torn UK city is now one of the world's top tourist destinations, according to a leading travel guide publisher.
In little more than a decade, Belfast has been transformed from a fractured city into a hot city-break .
Garden or botanic display
Botanic Gardens
Archeological exhibit, museum
Decorative arts display
Paintings, art collections
Gold, silver, metalworking exhibit
Historical museum
Industrial attraction, factory museum
Minerals, geology attraction, mining
Ulster Museum
Hiking opportunity
Scenic site or route
Cave Hill
Historic site
Custom House
Architecture - Renaissance
Standalone sculpture, statue or fountain
Donegall Square (Donegall Square / City Hall)
Military attraction or museum
Nautical museum or attraction
Standalone sculpture, statue or fountain
Garden of Remembrance
Opera house or company
Grand Opera House
Dam, bridge, lock, waterway
Folk art exhibit
Nautical museum or attraction
Science, technology attraction or museum
Lagan Weir
Sir Thomas & Lady Dixon Park-International Rose Garden
St Anne's Cathedral
St Malachy's Church St Patrick's Pro-Cathedral Streamvale
Zoological Gardens
Festival of arts of short duration
Events
Festival of arts of short duration
Battle of the Boyne Celebrations
Cinema, film festival
Cinemagic International Film Festival for Young People
Festival of arts of short duration
Civic Festival
Festival of arts of short duration
Musical activity or concert hall
Theatrical hall or company
Festival at Queen's
Festival of arts of short duration
Folk Festival
Festival of arts of short duration
Musical activity or concert hall
Holywood Jazz & Blues Festival
Festival of arts of short duration
Garden or botanic display
Horticultural Fair
Garden or botanic display
International Rose Trials
Crafts center or marketplace
King's Hall Autumn Fair
Festival of arts of short duration
Musical activity or concert hall
Musical Festival
Festival of arts of short duration Culinary attraction
Festival of arts of short duration
Irish Festival
Crafts center or marketplace
Fabrics, textiles, costumes exhibits
Industrial attraction, factory museum
Irish Linen Centre
Fishing opportunity
Lake
Natural area
Lough Neagh
Dungannon tourist attractions
Swimming & water activities
Scenic site or route
Small town or village
Glenavy
Small town or village
Magherafelt
Natural area
Scenic site or route
Ram's Island
Fishing opportunity
Golf course
Ballygalley
Beach
Resort or relaxation spot
Carnlough
Small town or village
Carrickfergus
Historic site
Military attraction or museum
Andrew Jackson (Andrew Jackson / U.S. Rangers' Centre)
Agricultural area or museum
Aviary, bird museum or exhibit
Children's activities
Railroad attraction or museum
Small town or village
Zoo or animal collection
Ballycarry - Loughside Open Dairy Farm
Castle, chateau, palace
Carrickfergus Castle
Paintings, art collections
Historical museum
Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre
Festival of arts of short duration
Lughnasa Medieval Fair
Culinary attraction
Festival of arts of short duration
Medieval Banquets
Carrickfergus - Knight Ride & Heritage Plaza
Resort or relaxation spot
Small town or village
Cushendall
Resort or relaxation spot
Small town or village
Cushendun
Natural area
Scenic site or route
Glenariff Forest Park
Natural area
Scenic site or route
Glenarm
Cave
Prehistoric site or exhibit
Scenic site or route
Tombs, burial site
Island Magee
Nautical museum or attraction
Resort or relaxation spot
Small town or village
Larne
Amusement, theme or leisure park
Garden or botanic display
Golf course
Provincial or municipal park
Carnfunnock Country Park
Historical museum
Historical Centre
Castle, chateau, palace
Archeological site or ruin
Architecture - Medieval
Olderfleet Castle
Scenic site or route
Small town or village
Waterfoot
Resort or relaxation spot
Scenic site or route
Small town or village
Whitehead
Fishing opportunity
Swimming & water activities
Hiking opportunity
Resort or relaxation spot
Small town or village Small town or village
Comber
Wildlife area, bird sanctuary
Castle Espie - Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
Archeological exhibit, museum
Archeological site or ruin
Christian sites
Mahee Island - Nendrum Monastic Site
Historic site
Small town or village
Downpatrick
Small town or village
Clough
Towers, monuments, observation deck
Zoo or animal collectionDown Cathedral Downpatrick
Archeological site or ruin
Mount Stewart House and Gardens Roman, Greek, Stormo
Village reconstruction, open-air museum
Railroad attraction or museum
Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
Our Winter Walk Round Killynether Wood Scrabo N'Ards
It's the end of January 2018 and temperatures are a remarkable 'tropical' 13C. The sun is shining and the sky is blue so we are taking the opportunity for a walk round old deciduous Killynether Wood, beside Scrabo Tower, just outside Newtownards Co down.
This wooded walk is muddy, with challenging steep climbs and descents, criss-crossed by tree roots. It is not a leisurely stroll and is not suitable for folks with with walking difficulties. The most obvious trail to take, extends for one and a half miles. The area was once a series of sandstone quarries but the passage of time has hidden much of the industrial past under trees. The views to Strangford Lough and across part of the Co Down drumlin belt are spectacular. These ancient deciduous woods, ( planted out in the mid 19th century) are largely made up of hazel and impressive tall beech. The Spring bluebell display is not to be missed.