St. Macartin's Cathedral
Enniskillen, Northern Ireland
A Featured Cathedral Family
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George Irvine MBE
George has been married to Myrtle for 41 years and has been Rector’s Glebewarden for 25 years.
Tell us about your early days?
I was born and brought up near the village of Kesh in the town land of Aghama. I was
the youngest of three children, my sister Violet Wilson is a Cathedral parishioner
and my brother Desmond lives in England. My early education was at Kesh Primary School, Kesh Secondary and Enniskillen Technical College. I attended Ardess Parish Church and had to walk a four mile round trip every Sunday to attend Sunday School and Church under the direction of Canon Doonan. When I was six years old a major construction project took place in the field next door which became Kesh County Secondary Intermediate School, the first in Fermanagh. My father was the first caretaker and my mother worked in the school meals so the school became a big part of my life while growing up.
What brought you to Enniskillen?
At the age of 18 I started work as a Civil Engineering Technician with Irvinestown Rural District Council but after ten months the councils in Fermanagh amalgamated to become Fermanagh County Council and my office was relocated to the Castle Barracks in Enniskillen. As part of my training I attended college part time in Portadown and Belfast and gained an HNC in Civil Engineering. I met and married Myrtle in 1972 and we set up home on the Dublin road Enniskillen where we still live today.
What are your hobbies/interests?
I am a big sports fan and a dedicated Manchester United fan. I have also played cricket, not particularly well, in the distant past. Scouting has played a big part in my life as I have been a Cub Scout leader with the Cathedral Scouts for the past 37 years. I enjoy the tranquility of fishing on Lough Erne, something I hope to do more of when I retire. I have always kept a close connection with my home town of Kesh and my mother still lives there. I am secretary of Kesh & District Angling Club. From a work point of view, I am a member of the Institute of Water and have been the NI Area secretary for the past seven years. The charity “Water Aid” which helps provide clean water and sanitation to third world countries is close to my heart and I serve on the NI area committee. In 1988 I was elected People's Glebe Warden in the Cathedral. My father was very ill at the time so I met with the Rector to decline the job but he assured me it was not very time consuming and would not take up much time!!!!
Do you travel/hope to travel?
Travel is my middle name - it has to be when you are married to Myrtle! We have visited a number of European cities and my favourite so far has to be Prague. While in Arizona I visited the largest aircraft park in the world in the Arizona desert a must see for plane spotters. Sailing a house boat and fishing on Lake Powell in Utah was also an unforgettable experience. As a civil engineer, visiting the Hoover Dam was amazing. For the future a visit to Australia/New Zealand is on our radar.
Favourites in life - food/films/books
My favourite meal has to be roast beef with plenty of vegetables and the humble spud followed by Myrtle’s apple pie and custard. I have never been big into reading, in fact I think I have never finished a book in my life - except the Bible! I really enjoyed Les Miserables and Blood Brothers during a visit to London’s West End. The child in me is partial to a bit of Tom & Jerry but as far as films go, “Bridge over the River Kwai” stands out.
What is your best day?
Has to be 29th July 1972 when Myrtle agreed to be my wife closely followed by the birth of our children and now grandchildren. Outside the family, the day I was awarded the MBE by the Queen was pretty special. Earlier this year I was amazed to be honoured by my fellow professionals when I was awarded the Alan Bolton Award by the Institute of Water for services to the water industry
Have you a favourite Bible verse/hymn?
John 14 verses 1-3: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
“Abide with me” has always been my favourite hymn even before I knew it was written by an Enniskillen student! (Henry Francis Lyte)
Any challenges?
Although it would seem beyond the power of many, if I had the power I would close down Facebook and Twitter!!
I think an e-mail system is quite adequate for modern day communications.
A Footnote from the Dean:
George has just retired as a leader of the Cathedral Cub Scouts after thirty seven years. We sincerely thank him for his commitment and dedication to the scouting all these years and are very pleased to know “he has not gone away” as he has been appointed Chair-man of 1st Inniskillen Scout Group. Congratulations George, keep your hand in there!
I was born and brought up near the village of Kesh in the town land of Aghama. I was
the youngest of three children, my sister Violet Wilson is a Cathedral parishioner
and my brother Desmond lives in England. My early education was at Kesh Primary School, Kesh Secondary and Enniskillen Technical College. I attended Ardess Parish Church and had to walk a four mile round trip every Sunday to attend Sunday School and Church under the direction of Canon Doonan. When I was six years old a major construction project took place in the field next door which became Kesh County Secondary Intermediate School, the first in Fermanagh. My father was the first caretaker and my mother worked in the school meals so the school became a big part of my life while growing up.
What brought you to Enniskillen?
At the age of 18 I started work as a Civil Engineering Technician with Irvinestown Rural District Council but after ten months the councils in Fermanagh amalgamated to become Fermanagh County Council and my office was relocated to the Castle Barracks in Enniskillen. As part of my training I attended college part time in Portadown and Belfast and gained an HNC in Civil Engineering. I met and married Myrtle in 1972 and we set up home on the Dublin road Enniskillen where we still live today.
What are your hobbies/interests?
I am a big sports fan and a dedicated Manchester United fan. I have also played cricket, not particularly well, in the distant past. Scouting has played a big part in my life as I have been a Cub Scout leader with the Cathedral Scouts for the past 37 years. I enjoy the tranquility of fishing on Lough Erne, something I hope to do more of when I retire. I have always kept a close connection with my home town of Kesh and my mother still lives there. I am secretary of Kesh & District Angling Club. From a work point of view, I am a member of the Institute of Water and have been the NI Area secretary for the past seven years. The charity “Water Aid” which helps provide clean water and sanitation to third world countries is close to my heart and I serve on the NI area committee. In 1988 I was elected People's Glebe Warden in the Cathedral. My father was very ill at the time so I met with the Rector to decline the job but he assured me it was not very time consuming and would not take up much time!!!!
Do you travel/hope to travel?
Travel is my middle name - it has to be when you are married to Myrtle! We have visited a number of European cities and my favourite so far has to be Prague. While in Arizona I visited the largest aircraft park in the world in the Arizona desert a must see for plane spotters. Sailing a house boat and fishing on Lake Powell in Utah was also an unforgettable experience. As a civil engineer, visiting the Hoover Dam was amazing. For the future a visit to Australia/New Zealand is on our radar.
Favourites in life - food/films/books
My favourite meal has to be roast beef with plenty of vegetables and the humble spud followed by Myrtle’s apple pie and custard. I have never been big into reading, in fact I think I have never finished a book in my life - except the Bible! I really enjoyed Les Miserables and Blood Brothers during a visit to London’s West End. The child in me is partial to a bit of Tom & Jerry but as far as films go, “Bridge over the River Kwai” stands out.
What is your best day?
Has to be 29th July 1972 when Myrtle agreed to be my wife closely followed by the birth of our children and now grandchildren. Outside the family, the day I was awarded the MBE by the Queen was pretty special. Earlier this year I was amazed to be honoured by my fellow professionals when I was awarded the Alan Bolton Award by the Institute of Water for services to the water industry
Have you a favourite Bible verse/hymn?
John 14 verses 1-3: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
“Abide with me” has always been my favourite hymn even before I knew it was written by an Enniskillen student! (Henry Francis Lyte)
Any challenges?
Although it would seem beyond the power of many, if I had the power I would close down Facebook and Twitter!!
I think an e-mail system is quite adequate for modern day communications.
A Footnote from the Dean:
George has just retired as a leader of the Cathedral Cub Scouts after thirty seven years. We sincerely thank him for his commitment and dedication to the scouting all these years and are very pleased to know “he has not gone away” as he has been appointed Chair-man of 1st Inniskillen Scout Group. Congratulations George, keep your hand in there!
