Sir, - Philip Jackson (May 4th) correctly identified Urney as the chocolate factory where Mr John Clarke once worked. Urney chocolates were first produced in the townland (and parish) of Urney between Strabane and Clady; it was initially a cottage industry. Later a factory was built nearby to cater for the increasing demand. Sadly, in February 1924, about two years after its completion, it was accidentally gutted by a fire. The Strabane Chronicle of the time reported: "In less than two hours what was previously a splendid building lay in ruins."
So the owner, Mr Harry Gallagher, moved to Tallaght because, according to one local writer, the late Mr Rex Hardman, "there was no chocolate factory of any size in the Free State". Many of the original employees were offered work in the new premises and they gladly accepted fit.
What is particularly interesting is that Mr Gay Byrne's first broadcast words were for Urney chocolates on its sponsored programme. As he says in his autobiography, "In those days people used to shout across the street, `Any time is Urney time'." (The Time of my Life, page 81.)
The famous slogan is silent now for Urney time is long gone. Around this area, however, and in Mr Jackson's recollections, the firm's products will always be fondly remembered. - Yours, etc.,
Eamonn Mac Intyre, Olympic Drive, Strabane, Co Tyrone.