Art historian speaks on the Earl Bishop

Deborah, who studied Art History at Trinity College, Dublin, and who currently works at the Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart, spoke knowledgably and entertainingly on the two men who were together responsible for Downhill Castle and the Mussenden Temple: Frederick, the Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry and his close associate and friend, Michael Shanahan, architect, builder and mason from Cork.

Deborah described the backgrounds of both men in detail before concentrating on Downhill, both its present and its past appearances, illustrating her talk with slides.

The chairman, Anne Moore, thanked Deborah for a stimulating evening which had attracted a full house. Earlier the chairman had expressed the sorrow all felt at the demise of Betty Dick who, as Assistant Secretary, had served the Association well for many years. Condolences were offered to her husband, Hill Dick. Anne Moore also reported that there were still vacancies for members and guests on the forthcoming trip to Enniskillen and Florencecourt (April 22), the Away Holiday to Scotland (May 17-20) and the Midsummer Concert at the Mussenden Temple (June 18-19).