ON Wednesday evening the long awaited launch of the history of St Colman's with "School Days in St Colman's" took place in the Fir Trees Hotel and the large attendance availed of the opportunity to enact their own piece of history by sharing their memories of life at the school.

The book was produced by members of the Strabane History Society, Michael Kennedy and Johnny Dooher, as well as a large number of different writers. These ranged from present day teachers in Holy Cross College, retired teachers from St Colman's, and a number of former pupils, ranging from first years in 1958 when the school opened to others who studied there throughout the forty seven years of the school's life.

Memories of the years of 'The Troubles' in the 1970s sit side by side with memories of happier days of sporting successes and behind the scenes of the regular school plays. The processes of the coming together of the post primary schools in the Strabane area is detailed in an article by Brian O'Neill and the final years of St Colman's are outlined by the last principal, Michael Kennedy. The role of school chaplains is the subject for investigation, with the first and last chaplains sharing their memories of school life. Emphasis in many of the articles is placed on the evolving role and importance of St Colman's in serving the local community and tribute is paid to visionary leaders like John Maultsaid, Jack Gallagher and Pat Grimley, each of whom took the school on to a new level. Former student, Leona Breslin, had published an article in the Irish News on the 2005 closure of St Colman's and this forms an epilogue for the school story – the demise of a long established tradition and yet the expectation of a new beginning.

It is the hope of the editors that the book will stir memories among the thousands who attended the school and ensure that hard won successes of the past are carried on into the future.

Sport and the role of sport in the development of the individual was always a big part of St Colman's and a number of excellent articles and reviews pay tribute to the successes and near successes of generations of young people. As with most publications of this sort, those mentioned are only a fraction of the total and the editorial makes the point that the present day unknowns were as much a part of school life as were the more illustrious. A number of appendices provide details on student enrolment in 1958, 1983 and 2005 and a further appendix attempts to list the teachers who taught in the school over its forty seven years. Some of these will be easily recognisable while others may be only a dim memory from a distant past.

The book is now on sale in local shops and from the Holy Cross West site at Melmount Road. It can also be got directly from Michael Kennedy of Johnny Dooher. A large number of local firms provided sponsorship for the book and these were presented with a special hard back copy of the book at the launch – their generosity is also recognised by a listing of financial support in the book itself. A number of complimentary DVDs, providing a photographic history of the school, were also produced and these were presented to guests and visitors at the launch.

The book was produced by Browne Printers, Letterkenny, and director, Seamas Browne, was present at the launch. There will only be he one print run of the book and those wishing to purchase a copy should make sure to get theirs as soon as possible. The editors are keen to ensure that those former students of St Colman's living away from home are made aware of the publication and provided with the opportunity of accessing a copy.

Memories of the years of 'The Troubles' in the 1970s sit side by side with memories of happier days of sporting successes and behind the scenes of the regular school plays.