Drogheda referenced by President in Turkey

[Dodge]

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/did-mcaleese-score-own-goal-with-famine-tale-2108884.html

[Spudulika]

Bit of debate on this, whether it was a Turkish Sultan or Religious Order responsible for the crest. I remember a lecture by a leading archaeologist (originally from down the road in Termonfeckin) who claimed that both are correct - and that there certainly was more international assistance for Ireland than from HQ in London. Also one of the Pipards (now commonly known as Pepper) ended up serving in Turkey and the family remained influential until the formation of the Republic.

[dong]

I think you're losing it Dodge if you think that is seriously worth discussion.

[Dodge]

I think you're losing it Dodge if you think that is seriously worth discussion.

Its not. I just posted it up for info. (I know I'd like to be told if she ever mentioned Pats)

[HarpoJoyce]

Drogheda Utd. fans appreciate the link. They consider Trabzonspor a 'sister or brother' club.
http://claretandblueclub.com/candb/overseas.html
For Our Turkish Friends
Drogheda United and Trabzonspor are connected by more than colours alone. The bond between Turkey and Drogheda stretches back centuries. In 1845 the Ottoman Sultan Abdulmeild defied the wishes of Queen Victoria and sent food and money to Drogheda to help people dying of starvation. This generosity has never been forgotten by the people of Drogheda.

Our friendship has been strengthened by the association of Drogheda United and Trabzonspor as sister clubs. Although your sister club is smaller in stature, our love and passion for our teams are equal. When we are cut, we bleed Claret and Blue. Without our clubs we are nothing. In these difficult times we greatly appreciate the support and generosity of fans overseas in keeping our club alive. Please join the Claret & Blue Club today and be part of something special. Thank you.


Discussion of Turkish community.
http://www.turkishclass.com/forumTitle_43973

This thread led to read the Trabzonspor website where on the first English Lang. page I found this
http://www.trabzonspor.org.tr/default.asp?Sayfa=ERecords

Cup Winners' Cup
1990-91 Preliminary Round BOLTON WANDERERS FC First Leg 1 – 1
1990-91 Preliminary Round BOLTON WANDERERS FC Second Leg 2 – 0

(It's Bray Wanderers that is the forgotten child in this story).

[A face]

Its not. I just posted it up for info. (I know I'd like to be told if she ever mentioned Pats)

Fair play to you Dodge, definitely worth putting it up alright.

[WindmillWarrior]

Ah yeah, cheers Dodge.
This is a subject often brought up in Drogheda as even some of our own are unsure of the full story.
Fact is the star and crescent comes from the coat of arms of King John who gave the town its charter.
The story of the aid from Turkey is also true and there is a plaque on West Street in honour of this.
And the Turkish club Trabzonspor have a serious hard on for the Drogs because of our crest and the fact we too play in Claret and Blue.
Its all good!

[the 12 th man]

From betfair forum
http://site.forum.betfair.com/jive3/index.jspa

PRESIDENT MARY McAleese and her officials were left red-faced last night after it was learned that remarks she made on Tuesday night in Turkey linking that country with Drogheda were based on local myth and not fact.

The comments were made during a state dinner in the capital, Ankara, as part of a four-day official visit.

Mrs McAleese told VIP guests Turkey had helped Ireland during the Famine. She said: “During that famine, Turkey’s then leader Sultan Abdul Majid sent three ships loaded with food to Ireland. The cargo was unloaded in a port called Drogheda and since then, at the insistence of the people, the star and crescent of your country forms part of the town’s coat of arms.”

Local historians in Drogheda have been left wondering where the President’s scriptwriters unearthed the details. Liam Reilly, an administrator with the Old Drogheda Society based in the town’s Millmount Museum, said last night the comments were incorrect. “There are no records with the Drogheda Port Authority of this ever happening. Drogheda historians can trace the star and crescent back to 1210 when the British governor of Ireland, King John Lackland, granted the town its first charter,” he said.

Spokeswoman for Mrs McAleese Sheila Clarke said: “While included in good faith on information supplied, it is now accepted that the reference . . . would not appear to be based on sound historical fact.”