Our archive engagement officer recently made an exciting discovery in a storage cupboard: a fascinating wooden bat. After some initial research, it has been confirmed that the bat was used for the game of stoolball. You can read more the game of stoolball and its history here.

The bat bears the stamp of ‘McGlade Bros Sports Outfitters, 34 Gresham Street.’ Research into newspaper records reveals that McGlade Bros operated near Smithfield markets during the 1970s and 80s. Additionally, stoolball was a popular game played at primary schools across Northern Ireland in the 1960s and 1970s.

While there have been no specific records found of stoolball being played at Campbell College, the game's regional popularity during that era suggests it might have been played informally or during special events.

If you have any memories or information about stoolball being played at Campbell College or Cabin Hill, we would love to hear from you! Please reach out to our archivist at jrobinson915@c2ken.net. Your insights could help us piece together more of the history surrounding this intriguing find.