Pioneer aviator
1878 – 1971
Lilian Bland was born in Kent, and at the age of twenty-eight came to live at Tobercorran House, the family home in Carnmoney, near Belfast. By this stage she had earned a reputation as a press photographer and sports writer. Her aspirations were fired by the achievements of the Wright brothers in the USA and she began to construct a bi-plane glider, and was the first woman in the British Isles, possibly in the world, to design, build and fly her own plane.
She named the plane ‘Mayfly’ with deliberate irony. The ‘Mayfly’ did fly, and she fitted an engine by A. V. Roe & Co. This modified craft flew successfully in 1910. It is said that her father’s offer of a car diverted her attention to running a motor agency. In 1912 she emigrated to Canada, married a cousin and carved out a farm on virgin land. At the age of ninety-three the Belfast Telegraph quoted her as saying that the only excitement left to her was gambling.
Mayfly was presented to the Dublin Flying club.
Location of plaque: Tobercorran House, Glebe Road West, Carnmoney
Date of Unveiling: 20 May 1997
John Alexander Sinton 1884-1956 VC FRS
Location – Lissan Church of Ireland, Churchtown Road, Churchtown, Cooktown, CO. Tyrone BT80 9XT.
Robert Dennis (Danny) Blanchflower – Footballer and Journalist
St John Ervine 1883-1971 – Writer and Playwriter
Date of unveiling – 21st March 2015.
Location – Westbourne Old School, Susan Street, Newtownards Road, Belfast BGT5 4FE.
Click here to see report on and photographs from the plaque unveiling ceremony
Click here to see entry for St John Ervine of the Dictionary of Ulster Biography
Date of unveiling – 21st May 2018.
Location – Oysters Restaurant, 37 Patrick Street, Strabane, Co. Tyrone.
BT82 8DB.
Plaque unveiled by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor, Maoliosa McHugh.
Plaque sponsored by Derry City and Strabane District Council.
Click here to see report and some photographs of the unveiling.
Click here to see Annie Maunder’s entry in the Dictionary of Ulster Biography
Edgar Henry Harper Mathematician Aeronautical Theorist
Location – 3 Northland Place. Dungannon. Co. Tyrone BT 71 6AN.
Unveiled by Deputy Chair, Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Mark Glasgow
Date of unveiling : 2nd May 2018
Click here to see report on the unveiling with photos.
Location 29 Francis Street, Derry-Londonderry. BT48 7DS.
Unveiled, 23rd March 2018.
Click here to see Plaque location
Click here to see the Unveiling report with photographs of the event
Mother Angeline. Founder of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm.
Location – St. Brigid’s Church. Brocagh. Co. Tyrone.
Unveiled by Dr. Eamon Martin. Archbishop of Armagh.
Click here to see
Click here to see report on and photographs of the Plaque unveiling event
Click here to see Mother Angelene entry in Dictionary of Ulster Biography