The Blantyre branch of the Irish National Foresters held their annual demonstration and a combined sports day in Blantyre on Saturday 2nd July 1892. The venue was an early Castle Park, just off the track, which would become Forrest Street. I’ve recreated what that may have looked like in the illustration.
The Irish National Foresters’ Benefit Society (Coillteoirí Náisiúnta na hÉireann in Irish) was an Irish friendly society. The INF began in 1877 as a breakaway from the Ancient Order of Foresters after political disagreements and grew rapidly and soon became the largest friendly society in Ireland spreading where emigrants went, including into Scotland. It supported Irish nationalism and its constitution called for “government for Ireland by the Irish people in accordance with Irish ideas and Irish aspirations”.
The attendance of spectators on Castle Park that day was almost a record one, and no one was disappointed. All the events were keenly contested. By 1914 the INF order had spread worldwide and had a quarter of a million members in over 1,000 branches.
For those interested (and perhaps to see if your family name is there!), here are the results of the sports day:
Results :— Football tournament—
Semi-final—Blantyre Corinthians beat Whifflet Rangers.
Newton Corinthians beat Cadder Oak;
final—Blantyre Corinthians beat Newton Corinthians by a goal; Cadder Oak won third prize.
100 yards race (open)—First heat—1, Joseph M‘Gowan (5 yards); 2, James Phenderleith (scratch).
Second heat—1, Thomas Moore (1 yard); 2, Daniel Duncan (5 yards).
Third heat—1, Andrew R. Dealan (2 yards); 2, W. Smithson (4 yards).
Fourth heat—1, Thomas Alison (4 yards); 2, W. Higgins (4 yards).
Fifth heat—1, Victor M. Moodie (4 yards); 2, Peter M‘Gunnigal (4 yards).
Final—1, Thomas Moore; 2, Joseph M‘Gowan.
One mile (open)—1, A. Whitehouse (85 yards); 2, Charles M‘Cann (scratch).
Boys’ race—1, J. Izatt; 2, P. Hastie.
There was great excitement during the high leap contest. James Down, the local champion, came out first with a leap of 5ft. 11in., the next being J. M‘Farlane, 5ft. 1in.
Two mile race (open)—1, R. Graham (80 yards); 2, A. Whitehouse (110 yards).
