Patrick Gormley
patrick7gormley@hotmail.com

Foyle Conference
There was a great response to the Far Side of the Foyle Conference in the Everglades Hotel in Derry. It took place on Wednesday, October 17. Mayor John Boyle and Derry City Council Mayor Andrew Thompson were in attendance. The conference was very interesting and we viewed in a slideshow ancient maps of the St Johnston and Carrigans area. We saw a reproduction of the 1777 Taylor and Skinner’s map of the roads of Ireland which has St Johnston on it. We learned that the Vikings used to come up the Foyle wreaking havoc and pillaging which explains the Souterrians in the Foyle area. These were caves made in the ground in which people took refuge from the invaders. We had an interesting discussion on how to develop the Foyle and benefit the communities on both side of the river. Suggestions included a nature walk, ferry and amenity development to make the area more attractive to tourists. The Far Side of the Foyle has been meeting since 2005. Its purpose is to explore the community building and tourism drawing potential of both sides of the River. Information leaflets are available at the St Johnston and Carrigans Family Resource Centre. The leaflets have been produced by the Resource Centre and the Villages Together of Bready, Co Tyrone. The group’s website can be accessed at www.farsideofthefoyle.com. Some who went to the conference enjoyed a guided tour of Prehen House. It was a fascinating trip back to the far distant past.

Castletown School
One of the Homework Club participants at the Resource Centre, Ellie Graham, a Senior Infants pupil at Castletown School, recently won the Irish Cancer Society’s 2007 SunSmart colouring competition. It was part of national competition campaign to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the skin in the sun in order to prevent skin cancer. There were 2842 entrants from 236 schools across Ireland. The winners received sports vouchers and 250 euro worth of sports equipment for their schools. Well done Ellie.

Monreagh School
Monreagh National School, Carrigans, would like to say a warm welcome to its four new pupils Jack McCarron, Zoe Duncan, Anna Harris and Andrew Mullen. We look forward to many years of pleasant years of learning together.

With Thursday, October 11 being National Tree Day the school took a trip to Ards Forest Park, where they spent an enjoyable day on the shores of Sheephaven Bay. The Forester, Michael McFadden explained the differences between broad leaf and coniferous trees and took them for a walk on the newly erected boardwalk. The school says thanks to Coillte for this opportunity. And thanks also to the Gardai from Carrigans for coming into the school to show a video on general safety. Also thanks to Letterkenny Fire Station for sending an officer to give a talk on fire hazards. A new Board of Management is being put in place. The school thanks all those who served on the board in the four years. And it says a special thanks to Mr Leslie Rankin and Mrs Marie Vance (Parents’ Representatives) whose children have moved on to second-level education.