American relative’s pride at family’s ‘Herald legacy

A GRANDSON of a well-known local politician and compositor has returned to Omagh to learn more about his family’s proud legacy at the UH.

Several generations of the Hunter family have been associated with the long-running local newspaper.

Last week, Charles Hunter the third made an emotional visit to the offices of the ‘Herald, where both his father and grandfather worked. It was the first time the US native had been to Omagh in 50 years.

During his stay in the town, he met with relative, Paddy Hunter, a local historian, and freelance sports contributor to the ‘Herald.

North-West News Group general manager, Dominic McClements, showed Charles around the office, and pulled up some articles from the archive to show Charles the legacy of his family’s dedicated work and expertise in the early days of the Ulster Herald.

After looking at old copies from when Charles’ grandfather was working, he said, “It’s amazing seeing those copies.

“Not many people have access to that kind of history. It’s so strange being able to see your grandfather as a seven-year-old.

“It’s amazing, walking around and seeing it all,” he continued.

“I’m surprised how much I remember, as I was only 20 when I was last here.”

SCARCE

The first Charles Hunter left school in 1905 at a time when employment in the town was scarce.

But, within four weeks, he got his first job through a popular solicitor, FJ O’Connor, who secured Charles work as an apprentice machine-minder at the UH print office.

Thereafter, Charles served a long career in the UH, starting as the youngest employee and leaving as the oldest in 1959.

Alongside his feat in typography and compositing, Charles involved himself in local politics, and rose to a senior member of the Urban Council alongside his role in the Herald.

His son, also Charles, followed in the footsteps of his father, and rose to the rank of works foreman.

Though having spent his early adult life in printing, Charles the second then moved on to establish his own business in America.

In 1951, Charles set out to New York to establish his own taxi company, which would become very successful over the years.

Additionally in his time in the States, Charles brought the traditions of Tyrone with him and was president of the Tyrone Association in New York.

The third Charles of the Hunter family was born in the Bronx, New York in 1969, but never forgot his roots in Omagh.

Charles, the third, went on to play for the GAA minor team in New York and in 1966, played with Mayo, Kerry and Cork during a three-week visit.

His previous stay in Omagh came back in 1973 when he was a medical student in the University of North Carolina.

During his latest trip last week, he also met with an old teammate of his, Tony Dooan Gallagher, who played on the New York Tyrone GAA team back in their childhood.