Pigeon Network

When it was first introduced in 1970, I believe it was a result of a suggestion of Ronnie Johnston, that some form of award of merit should be given to birds getting into the National Blue Riband Kings Cup result on several occasions. Some great pigeons had put up fantastic performances over a number of seasons but at the end of the day had nothing to show for their courage. The type of birds I was thinking about are a number from my own area in Ballymena ie. “Rennes Queen”, “Laading Lady” and “Wee Albert” raced by the very famous lofts of Smyth Bros and Barr Bros. Rob Smyth of Larne had “National Queen” and “Continental Queen” and do forgive me for others I have not mentioned. It was decided that the Hall of Fame Diploma be awarded to any pigeon which was recorded three times in the Kings Cup prize list and, at the time was the most coveted and the most difficult to win. Race points flown since then have been wide and varied including from the early days the famous names of Nantes, Rheims, Rennes and Les Sables.

1970 – Nantes
Sutherland & Devoy, Killyleagh
W M Thompson, Muckamore

1971 – Nantes
H Elliott, Lisburn

1972 – Nantes
R Law, Ballymena & Dist
H Hayes, Portstewart

1973 – Nantes
G Burrell & Sons, Lurgan

1974 – Nantes
A Simpson & Son, Randalstown
Reynolds & Creighton, Dollingstown

1975 – Rheims
A McCartney, Crumlin

1976 – Rennes
J Irvine & Son, Ballyclare

1978 – Rennes
P Flannagan, Killyleagh

1979 – Rennes
Hamilton & Burke, Portstewart
B Madden & Son, Dublin
W B Shaw, Newcastle
H Elliott, Lisburn & Dist
G Kilpatrick, Lisburn

1980 – Les Sables
J Shaw & Son, Randalstown
McCartney Bros, Moira
McCartney Bros, Moira

1981 – Les Sables
J O’Neill, Dublin
Connor Bros, Dundrum
S Bunting, Belfast
J McCartan, Annalong
R & W McBride & Son, Lisburn
Smyth Bros, Ballymena & Dist
Smyth Bros, Ballymena & Dist

1982 – Les Sables
G Kilpatrick, Lisburn
W Harrison, Belfast

1989 – Rennes
W Clements & Son, Edgarstown
J Logan, Ballyclare
Gilmour & Beattie, Newtownbreda

1990 – Rennes
W V Troughton, Gilford
S Bell, Dundonald
Gilmour & Beattie, Newtownbreda

1991 – Rennes
W Erwin, Ballymena & Dist
W Catherwood & Son, Ballynahinch
R Kernaghan & Son, Dromore

1992 – Rennes
B & H Marshall, Newtownbreda
V McDonald, Antrim
M Conlon & Son, Banbridge

1993 – Rennes
R McIlvenna, Chimney Corner
R Williamson, Bondhill
G Kilpatrick, Ballymacbrennan
Belshaw & Anderson, Derriaghy
B McKeown & Son, Derriaghy

1994 – Rennes
Hammond Bros, Cookstown
F McMaster, Kircubbin
F Scott & Son, Dromore
Burns Bros, Comber Soc

1995 – Rennes
Mr & Mrs Flanagan, Downpatrick
J Waring & Son, Lisburn & Dist
J Cullen, Dublin
G Killops, Drumcree
N Black & Sons, Dromara
N Black & Sons, Dromara

1996 Rennes
T Marshall & Son, Newtownbreda
W Hardy & Son, Annsborough
J Nelson, Milltown
E Matchett & Son, Edgarstown

1997 – St Nazaire
R McCallum & Son, Ballymena & Dist
D Moore, Cullybackey
B E & L McNeilly, Ballynure
W Tollerton, Dunmurry
Lavery Bros, Hillsborough & Maze
Harper Bros, Dollingstown
Mr & Mrs Swann, Harryville
T Flanagan, Malahide & Dist

1998 – Rennes
A Murray & Son, Dundrum
P J Corcoran, Balbriggan
T Marshall & Son, Newtownbreda
S Corrigan, Loughgall
Gilmour & Beattie, Newtownbreda
K Halliday, Newry

2000 – Redon
E J Campbell, Milltown

2002 – Redon
John Greenaway, Bondhill

2004 – Messac
R Telford, Annaghmore
McCracken Bros, Banbridge

2005 – Messac
L McCall, Wicklow South Road

2006 – Vannes
G Benson, Lisburn
Burns Bros, Comber
S Corrigan, Loughgall
Stewart Bros, Randalstown

2009 – Plaudren-Vannes
P Rock & Son, Skerries
Stewart Bros, Randalstown

2010 – Plaudren-Vannes
J Waring & Son, Lisburn & Dist
D Croskery & Son, Annsborough
W McClure, Kells & Dist

2011 – Plaudren-Vannes
W McClure, Kells & Dist
Rev TAB Sawyers & Son, Banbridge
P McCullough & Daughter, Downpatrick
S Corrigan, Loughgall
G Buckley & Son, Annaghmore
Ward & McIntosh, Downpatrick
N Black & Sons, Dromara
W McCaw, Ballymoney
G & J O’Hare, Crossgar
A Darragh, Cullybackey
R Williamson, Bondhill

2012 – Plaudren-Vannes
W G Neill, Annaghmore
John Greenaway, Bondhill
Adamson & Anderson, Gilford

2013 – Saint Allouestre
M Robinson, Bondhill
W McCaw, Ballymoney
C & L Woodside, Ballyclare

2014 – Saint Allouestre
W English, Lisburn & Dist
J Cullen, Bray Invitation

2015 – Saint Allouestre
Dando & Bennett, Beechpark Social

2016 – Saint Allouestre
E Murtagh & Sons, Individual North

2017 – Saint Allouestre
A McAteer & Sons, Ballyholland
Arnold Thompson, Ballyclare

2018 – Saint Allouestre
McKeown & McEvoy, Castlebellingham
Fintan Moran, Malahide & District
Noel Lusty, Muckamore HPS

2019 – Saint Allouestre
G Benson, Lisburn & District
E. E. & S Kavanagh, Arklow United RPC
Parkin & Cairns, Castlebellingham RPC
J Doheny, Malahide & District
P Dunlop, Edgarstown

2024 – Saint Allouestre
F Moran, Malahide & District
E Murtagh & Son, Individual North
R Duddy, Ballyclare & District
A Thompson, Ballyclare & District
G & C Simmons, Edgarstown
G Buckley & Son Annaghmore
Donnelly Bros, Newry City
N Black & Son Dromara

The only Pigeon so far to win 2 x Hall of Fame Diplomas is the great “HERMES” - Owned and Raced by Gordon Kirkpatrick