By Julie McLaughlin
A Canadian filmmaker continues to celebrate his family’s Mourne heritage through his company, which is named after a local townland. Craig Thompson, a journalist, filmmaker, and president of Ballinran Entertainment, started the company in 1995.
This year, the company, based in Stratford, Ontario, marks 30 years in business. Craig chose the name Ballinran Entertainment in honor of the Ballinran townland near Kilkeel in south Down, where his grandmother, Sarah Halbert (née Speers), grew up. The name serves as a tribute to his family’s connections with the region and his own fond memories of time spent there.
A Family Legacy Rooted in Ballinran
Sarah Halbert, Craig’s grandmother, was born in March 1895 to William Speers and Mary Jane Speers (née Baird). She lived with her family on Leitrim Road and attended Ballinran School. In 1925, Sarah emigrated to Canada at the age of 29, leaving behind four siblings—Ellen, who married James Annett; Jane; Mary, who married Johnny Keown; and William, who married Margaret McCutcheon.
Sarah’s journey across the Atlantic was long and eventful. She traveled by ship on board the SS Montnairn and arrived in the province of Quebec before continuing her journey by train to Toronto. There, she found work as a nanny and housekeeper on a mink farm near Alliston, Ontario. At that time, Alliston was a farming community known for its potato production, but it has since become part of New Tecumseth.
Building a Life in Canada
In January 1929, Sarah married Samuel Halbert, a neighboring farmer, and moved to his farm. Samuel had children from a previous marriage, and Sarah became an integral part of the family, helping manage the farm and care for the children. Craig’s mother was Sarah’s only child.
Although Sarah had started a new life in Canada, she never forgot her roots in Northern Ireland. Craig reflects, “I was greatly influenced by my grandmother and her adventurous decision to leave Northern Ireland on her own for Canada in June 1925. She returned several times over the years, between the 1950s and 1970s.”
Craig’s Own Connection to Northern Ireland
Following in his grandmother’s footsteps, Craig visited Northern Ireland many times throughout his life. His first trip to the region was when he was just 16 years old. Craig’s professional career also brought him to Northern Ireland. He was based in London working for CBC Radio between 1985 and 1988, and spent significant time in Belfast and Enniskillen during that period.
“County Down, Kilkeel in particular, was my retreat from covering the Troubles,” he said. “I followed the IRA funeral procession from Dublin to Belfast in March 1988 and was in Milltown Cemetery the day of the attack. When the shooting started and the grenades went off, we all thought it was a massive attack. I jumped into a freshly dug grave and kept my microphone above ground as I recorded the terror unfolding around me.”
Craig also recalled his time in Enniskillen in November 1987, after the Remembrance Day bombings. He covered the memorial service led by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
A Legacy of Connection and Family
Today, Craig continues to enjoy visiting the region. “I have lots of relatives in the area, including John and Joanne Keown and Mabel and Sam Annett and their families,” he said. “My cousin John and his family farm on the Ballinran Road.”
One of Craig’s relatives, the late William Keown of Dundrum, was a well-known local businessman and the founder of the William Keown Trust. “My grandmother’s nephew Willie Keown earned an MBE for his charity work in the disabled community,” Craig said. “He was largely responsible for encouraging the adoption of accessibility policies long before they were fashionable. He is survived by his wife, Beth Keown, of Dundrum.”
In the full article Craig goes on to explain his support for the restoration of the Vogue Cinema building in Kilkeel.
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