Irish UFO News - No 8

Magazine Overview

Title: THE IRISH UFO NEWS
Issue: NO.8
Volume: 1980 EDITION
Date: 1980
Publisher: Irish U.F.J. Research Centre, Belfast
Country: Ireland
Language: English

This issue of The Irish UFO News, dated 1980, presents a collection of UFO reports and related phenomena from Ireland. The cover prominently features a headline about a 'Dungiven CE 1?' sighting and includes other articles on radar tracks and psychic phenomena. The editorial section, written by Miles Johnston, notes a decrease in UFO activity and discusses the publication's challenges.

Key Articles and Reports

Dungiven CE 1?

This report details a sighting on Good Friday, 1980, where a family driving home near Altnagelvin Hospital, L'Derry, observed a large red/orange object float over from the hospital towards their car and then a housing estate. The object disappeared from sight behind semi-detached houses. Witnesses saw intense 'red rays' from the object, described as a bonfire-like light, but not blinding. The family saw the object again after driving out of the estate.

Coachman Report

In April 1979, a security officer at the Coachman Inn near Bangor, Co. Down, reported observing a strange object. A bright light maneuvered near an electricity pylon. The object came closer, appearing as two globes joined by a bar in the middle.

BELFAST Radar Tracks 67 UFO

Uncovered by Danny Wilson, this report details a radar-located object over the Belfast Area. The object was tracked by two radar stations and spotted by an incoming aircraft. The report originates from the Queens University magazine Spectrum and was contributed by a former member of the old BUFORA group.

Shuttle GO!

This short piece speculates on the possibility of the NASA Space Shuttle being launched in the second week of April 1991, with some concerns about the heat shield tiles.

John Hind Explores

A brief mention of John Hind exploring 'deep philosophical manner with his magi the wrong ways for the correct reasons'.

Spectrum Article

Spectrum provides an article for those interested in the psychic.

Contents Page (Page 2)

The contents page lists various articles: 'Who Goes There?' by Danny Wilson, 'Spectrum View On The Psychic' by Owen McQuail, 'Reports From The Archives: 1960s' by Various, 'On Being Wrong For The Right Reasons' by John Hind, 'A Familiar Story' and 'What are we doing & Where are going?' by Seamus McConnell, 'The Coachman Report' by David Patterson, 'Magazine Review' by John Hind, 'CE1 At Dungiven?' by Miles J/D Wilson, and 'NASA News' and 'Lurgan LITS's' by Miles Johnston.

The Editorial

Miles Johnston writes the editorial, explaining that due to the regular editor John Hind being unwell, he has produced this 1980 edition. He notes that witness names are changed for protection. He expresses regret over the loss of the talented hands of David and Ken Patterson, which had elevated the publication to a magazine format. Due to printing costs and commercialization, the publication's policy has changed, with issues now published when material and time permit. Johnston observes a drop in large-scale UFO activity in recent years and hopes the change in style is an improvement.

Who Goes There? (By D. Wilson)

This article discusses UFOs in Ireland, noting that unfamiliar aerial objects and phenomena have been witnessed over the years. It emphasizes the importance of experience in interpreting sightings. The author presents several case summaries:

1. Londonderry, September 1980: A small silver disc was seen hovering over a local factory by dozens of people. It was described as silver, about the size of a cart wheel, revolving and sparkling in the sun.
2. Lisburn, Co. Antrim, May 13th, 1979: Mrs. Jennifer D. and her husband witnessed a strange humming sound and a perfectly round silver/metallic object descending from cloud formation. The object hovered over a marshy pond, emitting a constant humming and a bleeping noise. A pony in an adjacent field became disturbed. The object took off at great speed towards Cave Hill, possibly spinning.

Reports From The Archives: '60s

This section compiles historical UFO reports:

• May 21st, 1962: Cpt. Gordon Pendleton, an Aer Lingus pilot, saw a UFO at 17,000 feet above Brecon, Wales.
• March 1964: In Belfast, workers at Shaw's Bridge saw a bright, circular object with a flashing light underneath it drift and hover southwards.
• October 1965: Mr. A.D. Holding of Belfast saw a UFO described as a small dimly lit disc encircled by a crescent-shaped area of light, emitting sparks.
• October 1965: An observer in Bangor, Co. Down, spotted an object that shot across the sky with a long tail, moving at a speed greater than any aircraft.
• Saturday Nov 12th 1966 (Straban Weekly News): Mrs. Stevenson reported ghostly happenings and stone throwing near Letterbin, and a tall figure disappearing into the wood.
• February 19th 1967: A 15-year-old boy heard a noise and saw an object fly overhead, described as large as a two-storey house, heading towards the border.
• Same morning (February 19th 1967): Mr. Peter McKenna, a farmer, saw a large object with a strange whizzing noise that appeared to break into three parts.
• October 25th 1967: Mr. S Mill and two other witnesses observed a UFO from the Knock road, Belfast. It was a bright golden light that changed into two lights, pale orange and pale green, traveling at tremendous speed.
• October 26th 1967: Police in Anderstown, Belfast, received a report of a flying saucer landing in Falls Park.
• September 1963: Mr. Brian Hipwell sighted an inexplicable orange light over Howth - Sutton.
• April 1965: Mr. John Knowles and Miss R. Ward saw a ball of light gyrating over Howth Head, changing color from blue to red.
• November 3rd 1967: Near Cookstown, Co. Cork, two circular UFOs were seen, one with a white glow and the other with an orange glow, remaining stationary for about 45 minutes.

Spectrum View On The Psychic (By Owen McQuail)

This article defines 'psychic' and 'phenomenon' and explores 'psychic phenomena'. It discusses the three levels of the mind: conscious, sub-conscious, and unconscious. The paranormal is examined through:

• DREAMS: Precognitive dreams, citing Abraham Lincoln's dream of his death.
• Automatic Writing: A method of receiving messages through a 'channel'.
• Scrying: Seeking psychic information from reflective surfaces like water or mirrors.
• Extra-Sensory-Perception (ESP): Telepathy and other effects, mentioning Uri Geller.

The article also touches upon ghosts, mentioning the Ghost of Goodwin Sands and the Flying Dutchman, and poltergeist activity.

Radar Tracks 67 UFO (Page 9)

This section details several UFO incidents in Northern Ireland around October 1967:

• October 26th, 1967: Two people in a town near Belfast watched a low-flying, large, round-shaped object with a bright yellow beam.
• October 26th, 1967 (5:30 am): A Portadown man saw two strange objects maneuvering over bog land, described as bright, cone-shaped with yellow and white sparks, and intense yellow searchlights.
• October 25th, 1967 (8:30 pm): Three Belfast people reported two strange objects in the sky, traveling at fantastic speed. One was triangle-shaped, pale green, turning pale orange, and the other intercepted it at about 500 feet before both disappeared.
• November 16-17th, 1967 (Belfast): Trevor Lloyd observed an unusually bright, flashing object over the Holywood Hills. It was a brilliant, flashing red pulsating disc with white and green flickering lights. Aldergrove Airport and Ulster Radar confirmed a radar 'paint' at 9,000 feet. The object moved slowly and climbed before low cloud obscured it.

Other Reports

• July 1950: A member of the Irish Astronomical Society saw a classic UFO, a large green oval-shaped object with yellow lights, hovering at 800 feet.
• August 7th 1958: Mr. Hutcheson, a farmer, tried to capture an egg-shaped UFO that landed on his farm.
• December 29th 1958: Joseph Bennett saw a black object that cut a tree in two at Bracknamuckly.

Reprint from Queens University Journal Spectrum

A detailed report, reprinted with permission, discusses an incident from November 1963 where RAF radar controllers at Aldergrove tracked a UFO traveling at 4,000 mph, and Preston Civil Control detected one at 5,000 mph.

Ballymartin, July 15th 1967

A 21-year-old man reported a dish-like object hovering over a field, about 50' away. Two figures dressed in luminous clothing exited the craft, signaled, and re-entered before it disappeared.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings across various decades in Ireland, radar confirmations of aerial phenomena, and an exploration of psychic phenomena. The editorial stance, as expressed by Miles Johnston, acknowledges a decline in UFO activity but emphasizes the continued importance of documenting and investigating these cases. The publication aims to provide a platform for such reports, even with limited resources and changing production methods. There is a clear emphasis on protecting witness identities and a critical approach to interpreting sightings, while also acknowledging unexplained cases.

Title: Irish UFO News
Issue Date: 1980
Publisher: Northern UFO Reporting Service
Country: Ireland
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the "Irish UFO News" from 1980 delves into the sociological and psychological aspects of UFO belief, contrasting different approaches to understanding anomalous phenomena.

On Being Wrong For The Right Reasons

An article by John Hind presents a thought-provoking analogy of two hypothetical countries, "America" and "Imperial China," each with clever 'magi.' In the first country, 'magi' (astrologers) attributed strange sky phenomena to the displeasure of gods, leading the Emperor to appease them through policy changes. This resulted in prosperity and advancements in engineering but a lack of understanding of physical sciences. The 'magi' made records and observations but did not explain the phenomena, as they were attributed to divine activity.

In the second country, 'magi' (scientists) were also clever but focused on observation and explanation. They distrusted phenomena they couldn't repeat. While this country developed marvels, when social problems arose, the scientists proclaimed them the concern of politicians. This led to a society driven by ruthless ambition and short-sightedness. The scientists, by focusing on their discoveries rather than their applications, inadvertently enabled the creation of powerful weapons that could destroy the world, leading to public fear and a belief in the irrational.

The article concludes that the 'magi' of the first country were right in their outcomes but wrong in their reasoning, while the 'magi' of the second country were wrong in their approach, failing to address the root causes of social problems and contributing to fear.

A Familiar Story?

Seamus McConnell's article reflects on personal entanglement in the UFO enigma, suggesting that people attracted to ufology may be filling a spiritual or existential gap. He acknowledges the potential for misinterpretation and hoaxes but maintains that there is still something for the scientific method to pursue. He recounts experiences in "Maiden City" where alleged UFO activity was mostly explained by misinterpretation or hoaxes, though a few genuine incidents were noted.

What Are We Doing & Where Are We Going?

Miles Johnston questions the lack of progress in UFO research despite years of documentation and debate. He suggests that researchers may be too focused on their own theories rather than hard data. Johnston advocates for a wider, social context approach to understanding the UFO enigma, believing that a foundational stone can be built if material is analyzed collectively. He notes that the rate of societal evolution, particularly through technology and communication, has created turbulence, and that UFO activity has increased in density.

He posits that the decline of traditional stabilizers like religion has led people to seek answers in UFOs, especially in times of social upheaval. Johnston links the rise of UFO sightings to periods of social disorder and technological advancement, such as the development of atomic bombs and rockets, and the increased ability to communicate post-WWII. He highlights the 1950s as a foundational period for social changes and the 1960s as a time when UFOs moved from a fad to a cult status, leading to the formation of UFO organizations.

UFO Solution

A section titled "UFO SOLUTION This Way! By Order." presents a signpost, implying a solution to the UFO enigma. The accompanying text questions whether the current UFO famine is due to a drain on people's imagination caused by depression. It also explores the correlation between social climate and UFO waves, suggesting that a society with increased jealousy and anxiety might experience more UFO sightings. The author admits uncertainty about the solution, suggesting that distilling 30 years of reports might be necessary.

Report Summary: The Coachman Report

This report details an investigation by D. Patterson into a UFO sighting at the Coachman's Inn in Bangor, Co. Down, Ireland, concluded in February 1980. The witness, Mr. McMurray, reported seeing a bright light that moved erratically and appeared to be a "dumb-bell" shape with two globes joined by a bar. A second witness, Mr. Owens, corroborated seeing a bright "Ball of light" that resembled "two balls with a tube in the middle." The object was described as having a transparent rear and a solid, dark body with a greenish tinge and white edge at the front. No sound was heard. The investigator considered the possibilities of a deliberate hoax or misidentification of a military helicopter but leaned towards the witnesses having had a paranormal experience, noting their down-to-earth nature.

CE 1 DUNGIVEN.Co. Derry

This section details an investigation by Miles Johnston and Danny Wilson into a sighting by Mrs. B. Rose and her family near Dungiven, Ireland. The witnesses saw a red pear-shaped object with two black bands over Altnagelvin Hospital. The report notes that witness names were changed for privacy.

Magazine Reviews

John Hind reviews several UFO-related publications:

• Zetetic Scholar: A twice-yearly journal described as an "independant scientific review of claims of anomalies and the paranormal." It serves as a battleground for proponents and skeptics, with a significant UFO content and a dynamic dialogue format. It is praised for its high standards and detailed reviews but noted for having little entertainment value. The subscription is $18 per year.
• Flying Saucer Review (FSR): Described as probably the oldest publication in the field, FSR is known for its international coverage of case histories. However, it is criticized for not always adhering to the scientific method, publishing speculative articles, and sometimes relying on doubtful sources. The correspondence columns are described as "folksey."
• Magonia: A quarterly magazine characterized as perceptive, hard-hitting, witty, and intellectual, dealing with the sociological and humanistic side of ufology. It is praised for its thoughtful articles and hard-hitting book reviews, recommended as a bargain at £1.75 per year.
• Northern Ufology: Published monthly by the Northern UFO Network, this publication is primarily a communications and update medium for ufologists in the field, described as a "pleasant talking shop."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the sociological and psychological underpinnings of UFO belief, the perceived conflict between science and the paranormal, and the role of media in shaping public perception. The editorial stance appears to favor a critical yet open-minded approach to UFO phenomena, encouraging rigorous investigation and a consideration of societal factors. There is a critique of overly theoretical or unscientific approaches within the UFO community and a call for a return to empirical observation and factual analysis.

This issue of "Irish UFO News" from 1980 focuses on UFO sightings in Ireland, primarily detailing a case involving witnesses Mrs. B. Rose and Mr. Harris. It also includes updates on space exploration efforts by NASA and ESA.

UFO Sightings in Ireland

The Derry Incident

The central narrative revolves around an incident witnessed by Mrs. B. Rose and her son-in-law, Mr. Harris, near Altnagelvin General Hospital in Derry. Mrs. Rose described a large, red, flashing object, initially thought to be a balloon, which moved over the hospital towards them. She described it as pear-shaped with a rough black band, emitting "red rays." The object then crossed the road and descended behind houses in a housing estate. Mr. Harris followed in his car, but they lost sight of it behind the rooftops, only seeing the red rays and a red light.

Later, as they drove away, the object reappeared, spanning the width of the road. The witnesses described it as coming towards them, with no sound on a clear night. They noted two other cars on the road that did not seem to notice the object, leading to speculation about its proximity or visibility.

Mrs. Rose's daughter, Mary, also provided an account, describing the object as very orange and scary, moving up, across, and down behind houses. She expressed extreme fear, thinking it was "something from another world." Mr. Harris corroborated the object's movement and described it as losing its shape at one point, expanding like an ellipse when they thought they might collide with it. He also noted that another car passed them without appearing to notice the object.

Further discussion with the witnesses revealed that the object was extremely bright, luminous, and at one point appeared to be the size of a bungalow. While Mrs. Rose eventually stated her opinion that the object was the moon, the report notes inconsistencies with her initial descriptions, suggesting this might have been influenced by the investigators.

Other Sightings

The issue also briefly mentions other sightings:

• July 14th, 1979: A resident of Wellington Street reported a large pear-shaped object, red/orange, emitting flashes and flares, moving to the west-northwest.
• September 14th, 1979: A witness reported a very bright shooting star near the M1 motorway.
• Good Friday, 1980: A lady witness saw a large orange/red ball hovering over a local rugby club.
• July 14th/30th: Mr. S. Greyson reported four sightings in LURGAN, one of which was photographed. Investigation suggested this object was most probably Venus.

Investigation and Conclusion

Investigator Miles Johnston and Seamus McConnel conducted the investigation. The report notes the difficulty in obtaining secondary investigation due to the time elapsed and the shear distance involved. While witnesses initially considered the object to be the moon, the report highlights factors that discount this explanation, such as the object's color, motion, and the presence of rings. The inability of other cars to notice the object is presented as a factor against a "UFO" conclusion, though the witnesses' integrity is affirmed.

Space Exploration Updates

NASA's Voyager Missions

The issue provides an update on the Voyager missions. Voyager 1 had completed its Saturn/Titan objectives, enabling NASA to greenlight Voyager 2's encounter with Saturn in the summer of 1981. Voyager 2 was also directed to Uranus, with an encounter scheduled for January 24th, 1986, at a distance of 107,000 km. This encounter was expected to provide the first close-up view of Uranus, described as a distant, mythically aqueous, ringed planet, primarily composed of gases and liquid gases.

The Space Shuttle (STS)

Significant delays plagued the Space Shuttle program. Originally planned for launch in November 1979, it was postponed multiple times due to an engine fire in December 1979 and other issues, with a new target date in early April 1981. The report criticizes NASA's stringent budgetary conditions, which led to massive curtailments of the Shuttle's original design, including the removal of turbofan engines for powered atmospheric flight. The Shuttle would now rely on gliding for reentry. A major problem arose when tiles fell off the second orbiter during transport, delaying the launch. The report notes that NASA had not previously used such tiles on a vehicle and that their effectiveness was crucial.

Ariane/Hermes

The European Space Agency's (ESA) Ariane program is also mentioned. After considerable delays, the early 1980 launch of Ariane provided a boost to the European space effort. The report notes that Ariane offered Europe a politically free launch capability, leading some to reconsider using the Shuttle. A long-term proposal for a heavy-lift version of Ariane to launch the Hermes manned shuttle was discussed, but this required significant investment that was not readily available.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, witness testimony, and the challenges of identifying anomalous aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious investigation, acknowledging the integrity of witnesses while also critically examining their accounts against known phenomena like the moon or Venus. The issue also highlights the progress and challenges in space exploration, particularly the ambitious goals and budgetary constraints faced by NASA and ESA. The publication seems to aim to inform readers about both unexplained aerial phenomena and significant developments in space technology.