Whiskey at the 'Ulster Pavilion' at the British Empire Exhibition, London 1924

Whiskey. Lots of whiskey. Among the displays about shipbuilding and ropes and tobacco and linen was Ulster's other massive industry. Shown above is a photo from the Ballymena Weekly Telegraph - Saturday 17 May 1924 showing the repro pub that was built as part of the visitor experience. Sometimes I think our predecessors were a lot more chilled out than we have come to imagine.

In a era which was both mourning and recovering from the First World War, and in between Prohibition in the USA in 1920 and the Wall Street Crash which would hit in 1929, some people were thinking big and positive thoughts. Fair play to them.

Here's a list of all of the brands who displayed their wares there.

Below is the official programme and also the short description inside.