Sportsman to visit Ballymena Central Library

BALLYMENA native and IRB Hall of Famer Sydney 'Syd' Millar will be visting Ballymena Central Library on Wednesday, June 16, as part of a 'Reminiscence Night,' organised by Libraries NI to mark the arrival of the touring "All Our Saturdays" exhibition to Ballymena.

The exhibition is inspired by London 2010 and features a range of home-grown sporting talent as seen through the eyes of Ireland's Saturday Night; Northern Ireland's renowned sports newspaper, which ceased publication in July 2008.

Libraries NI Chairperson Dr David Elliot said: “The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to see how sport in Northern Ireland has evolved throughout the last 12 decades and will also bring a touch of nostalgia to those who queued every Saturday evening to secure a copy of the paper”.

Former Sports Editor of the Belfast Telegraph Malcolm Brodie, commended the exhibition and its subject matter saying: “The exhibition and its associated events and activities will help ensure that the memory of one of Europe's finest sporting newspapers will never die.”

No doubt memories will be made for many on Wednesday night as 37-times capped Prop Forward Millar, who enjoyed a glittering playing career and represented his hometown club, Ulster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions before taking on (and achieving just as much success in) more managerial and administrative roles; firstly coaching the undefeated 1974 "Invincibles" and more recently serving as President of the IRB in 2003, will give a talk and participate in a Q & A session afterwards.

Hosted within the Central Library, 'Reminiscence Night', the event will run 7pm-8pm and is open to everyone