The launch of an exciting new multimedia local heritage project was celebrated at St Paul’s High School recently.  ‘Living in the View of Slieve Gullion’ is a collaborative project between the Bessbrook post-primary school, and six of its partner primary schools which showcases the many aspects of the shared local history between the younger and older pupils.

The project was funded as an Extended Schools initiative and involved close collaboration between the seven schools, St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook, Ballymoyer Primary School, St Malachy’s Primary School, Camlough, Drumilly Primary School, St Joseph’s Primary School, Bessbrook, St Peter’s Primary School, Cloughreagh and St Joseph’s Primary School, Meigh.

Speaking at the launch of the project, recently retired Principal of St Joseph’s Primary School, Meigh, Mr Brian McKinley said, “This was a project based on cultural heritage, that combined the best of the Revised Curriculum, involved generations working together within our communities and involved recording the heritage of each area to be presented in an accessible format for future generations.”

“The main aim was to draw together information from several communities into a single resource which would promote and nurture awareness of the past.  We hope that this pack will be viewed as a showcase of places of interest in the area and will hopefully motivate people to come and visit these sites, looking at them from a fresh perspective.”

Principal of St Paul’s High School, Mr Oliver Mooney, congratulated the pupils and their teachers for their effort and commitment in producing such a valuable resource.  Mr Mooney said, “Our cultural heritage defines who we are, and it is our responsibility to maintain and to pass it on.  This multimedia project will assist in that responsibility and educate and inform generations to come”.

Chairman of Governors of St Paul’s High School, and Principal of St Peter’s Primary School, Cloughreagh, Mr John Campbell, paid tribute to the hard work of the team involved in the production of the multimedia project and added that he hoped the material would be widely available in the local community.

The project was co-ordinated by Bursar at St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook, Mrs Sharon Cowan and designed and edited by Mrs Siobhán O’Hare, assisted by Mr Conor Starrs.

The project was launched in the presence of the pupils from the primary schools involved, as well as their parents, teachers, and members of local history and heritage groups, and the Mayor of Newry & Mourne District Council, Councillor Mick Murphy, as well as local councillors.

Read the interactive online version of ‘Living in the View of Slieve Gullion’ by turning the pages below left or right.

If you’d like to receive a copy of ‘Living in the View of Slieve Gullion’ please contact St Paul’s on (028) 3083 0309 or emailing us by clicking here.