Bob [Robert] Barr Secretary of Belfast Celtic Football Club

[FionaLorraine]

Does anyone know when Bob or Robert Barr, secretary of Celtic Football Club in Belfast, was born?

He was living in Celtic Park around 1917.     

Would he be in a street directory for any years before this?

[Pat Reid]

Fiona:
You might want to try this site. I am sure they can help some.

http://www.belfastceltic.net/index.html

Pat

[GaryOB]

Hi fiona

In the Glenravel Online "Timelines" (see resources) for 1890's there is newspaper story from January 1896 that features a Robert Barr.

"Robert Barr was accused of assaulting John Skelly, a linesman at a football match between the Mineral Water Company's team and Western United.  He was discharged."

If it is the same Robert Barr and we assume he was in his early 20's then his birth would be first half of 1870's.

Gary

[FionaLorraine]

Thanks very much Gary and Pat

I know that Bob Barr should fit somewhere into my family tree.  He should be connected to the Barrs in Antrim.  The problem is that I have a record of 2 Bob Barrs both of which could be connected - one 1859 and one 1875.  If I knew the age of Bob on a certain date I think I could tie this down!

Thanks for you input - it may sway me to look at one date rather than the other!

Fiona

[GaryOB]

Hi Fiona
The Robert Barr I mentioned would most likely be the one born in 1875, that would make him 20/21 a prime age for a football hooligan..... rather than 36/37 when he should really know better :-)
Regards
Gary

PS I will shortly be buying a history of Distillery FC (founded in 1880) another of the famous old clubs of Belfast, written and published by Dawson Simpson , if I see any reference to Robert Barr I will be back in touch.

[GaryOB]

Hi Fiona

Hope this is of help to you, can you attend?

There will be an open meeting of the Belfast Celtic Society next Thursday (23rd March 2006) in The Linen Hall Library, Belfast (opposite City Hall) at 7.00 p.m.

Football journalist and author Padraig Coyle is joined by the Distillery FC historian Dawson Simpson to examine the contribution made by both Celtic and Distillery to the social fabric of working class Belfast many years ago.

Also taking part will be Neal Garnham of the University of Ulster who has extensively researched the role of football in Irish society before partition. The actor Alan McKee will also be doing some readings on the evening.

Tickets cost £5 / £3 (Advance Booking Recommended).

You can book your tickets online or by credit card from the Linen Hall Library Box Office (phone 028 9032 1707) by credit or debit card; or by post from The Linen Hall Library, 17 Donegall Square North, Belfast BT1 5GB. Alternatively call in at the desk in the Library.

Perhaps if you can't attend you could use the above contact names and numbers to ask about Bob Barr, I am sure they would be pleased to hear about your interest and any information you might have for them?

Gary

[Blackadder]

I believe this man has family decendants living in the Demesne area of Ballymena (could be Demesne Avenue?). I remember hearing of a connection to Belfast celtic some years ago.

[teap78]

hi i read this from the site that pat reid posted for you

1903 and 1904 - Mr. Bob Barr was appointed part-time Secretary in succession to the late Mr. Alf Lockhart. Lost to Linfield in Shield Final, 4-1.



Mr. Bob Barr was appointed full-time Secretarv in May, 1913, and we all hope he may be long spared to wield the pen, as there is no more popular official in Irish, or even cross-channel football, than the genial and courteous "Bob." He has completed 25 years' service last May, and is getting "younger" every day.

Maybe you could get a guess of his age from this

 

colette

[FionaLorraine]

Gary

It would be fantastic to go to this.  I'll have to see what my babysitter's schedule is.  Otherwise I think i will just ring up.  My father said that many Barrs worked in the Celtic Club Office who were related to Bob.  We were cousins of a sort but not that close to get free tickets apparently.

I seen that Bob visited a Crumlin Fair in about 1914 [I think - haven't put my hands on this note for a while].  He listed his address as Celtic Park but Demesne Avenue may be more like it.  I'll have a nosey around there for the Barrs next time.

My Barrs were from Crumlin/Antrim/Glenavy direction - I just can't get the right link to Belfast where a lot moved - there are so many of them.

Thanks so much for the help.  Oh and I seem to have missed your last post Gary in January!  You think it may be the Bob born in 1875 I should look at.  Hooligan indeed - you'll never find them in my family tree!...but I think you may be right..when we get old we couldn't be bothered getting into trouble.

Fiona