Breege McCusker, well-known Irvinestown-based local historian, is currently busy updating and refreshing her original history book, 'Irvinestown through the years'. But, to her, it's a labour of love and as she trawls through all the extra information she has collected since the early 1980's after realising that many people have photographs and stories that they may like to share with her in this new edition of her book.

Many people have passed through the town since she first became interested in local history and they have subsequently generously shared their memories and photos with her.

But, she knows there are still old photos lying in boxes in attics that tell a story of the life of the town and district, and these are what Breege is looking for.

Breege originally wrote the first book in long hand after she was inspired by the pupils of the then St. Mary's Secondary School, Irvinestown, where she was teaching. With no specific written history available at the time other than in booklet form, she decided to write and publish the popular history edition with the students in mind.

It entailed information on history local to Irvinestown, including the churches and clergy, the railways, the workhouse, as well as information on the 'leading' families, the Archdales and Irvines.

Her idea now is to add and update that historic collection with new stories and photographs.

Thanks to modern day technology, the book will be tightly edited this time round.

More than 20 years later, Breege has built up her own collection of local history so, along with her own material and the help of others, the new edition of 'Irvinestown Through The Years' promises to be as enjoyable as the first time around.

Anyone who has something they would like to share, including photos, are asked to contact Breege at Drumharvey, Irvinestown, on 02868621430 or via email at breegemccusker@btopenworld.com