New calendar captures Strabane of yesteryear

A NEW calendar has been launched for 2024 by a local community group in Strabane featuring some of the towns most well-known spots in times gone by.

The theme of this year's calendar, which has been compiled by the Reminiscence Group at Fountain Street Community Development Association (FSDCA), is 'An Srath Bán - Na laethanta a bhí (Strabane - All our Yesterdays)'.

An official launch took place at Fountain Street Community Centre last Monday evening, where project facilitators, funders and participants were present.

A spokesperson for the centre said: "Copies of the calendar will be delivered free of charge to all pensioners living in the Fountain Street catchment area and can also be purchased at a cost of £5 at the centre and in several local shops across the town.

"They would make ideal stocking fillers or Christmas presents for family at home and abroad.

"We wish to kindly acknowledge the active participation of all those who contributed to the production of this calendar via the Reminiscence Group held over several months at the centre.

"A special word of thanks to Sean Crawford, who co-ordinated the group, to Anne Gilloway, Carmel Conroy, Pat Robinson, Ann McGowan, Tish Porter, Annie Monaghan, Angela McLaughlin, Annette McCosker, Kathleen Strawbridge, Deirdre Harkin, Mary Hegarty, Jacinta Molloy, Eamon McColgan, Graham O’Kane, Aiden Dunne, Gerard McBrearty, Elaine Robinson, Oliver Rouse, Aodhán Harkin and Lynn Maguire for their active involvement.

"Thanks also to Chris 'Kitter' McCrossan (front cover), Oliver Rouse (February), Gareth Wray (November Photo), Jim Hamilton (December photo), Sean Crawford, Louise McCreary (John Ormsby’s daughter), Old Strabane and its Memories and The Cooper Collection (PRONI), for the kind use of their photographs to be included in this calendar which has made it all possible and are greatly appreciated.

"Apologies if we have omitted anyone who submitted or owned any of the photos used.

"A kind work of thanks also to John and Sean Dudgeon of JD Print for their professional help and advice in the design and compilation of the calendar and to Antaine Ó Fearghail (Tony Farrell) for his expertise on the use of Gaeilge (Irish language) within the calendar.

"Finally, the costs associated with the design and production of the calendar were kindly met through the generosity of the National Lottery Community Fund through their Awards for All funding with kind thanks to Lottery officer, Lorraine Gallen, for all her help and assistance and to centre manger, Mary Deery, who secured the funding to make the project possible.

"Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir - Thank you very much."