Rugby personalityopened lounge bar

Ulster Television personality Ernie Strathdee officially opened a new lounge at the The Tourist Inn, Eden, in October 1963.

Ernie was Ulster Television’s first sports presenter and a former Ireland rugby player.

He congratulated managing director PJ Hughes, of Devenney’s Irish Tours, on the enterprise said that the brand name could be found around the world which has “made a name for Ulster”.

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Mr Hughes told guests that the original premises in Eden had been just 12 ft square.

He joked that it had “taken him seven years to get the tenant out and another seven to get the barman out”.

He said that the contractor had built several breweries and 56 pubs and was about to build a new Northern Bank branch.

Mr. Hughes commented: “Through television, the interviewer is a well-known figure and before the introduction of television, Ernie was known for his rugby career.”

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Ernie Strathdee won nine caps for Ireland. He was a member of the Grand Slam side of 1948 and the Triple Crown sides of 1949. In 1947, he captained Ireland against Australia, and in 1948, against France.

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