School exhibition commemorates centenary of world war one

TO mark the 100th anniversary of World War One, the transition year students of St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Castlebar, along with their teachers Miriam McDermott and Caroline Loftus, are hosting a commemorative exhibition to celebrate the lives of those who fought and contributed to World War One.

Particular attention was paid to the family members of students and staff of the school. They appealed to the school community to explore their own family history and share their stories and personal artefacts with the school. The response was phenomenal.

Further research brought them to Collins Barracks and Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin. A visit to the Mayo Peace Park and a talk from Michael Feeney, MBE, followed. The Museum of Country Life in Turlough also very generously lent the school objects from their handling collection.

Earlier this month the students and teachers took a trip to Ballyjamesduff to the Cavan County Museum and the largest replica battle trench in Ireland and the UK. Not only was this an amazing experience for them, but the museum was kind enough to lend artefacts from their own World War One exhibition. On return to Castlebar, they couldn’t resist the challenge of building their own trench.

The brilliant exhibition highlights social life in the period 1914-1918, the role of women at home and abroad, and the horrors of life in the trenches. It features a recruitment station with propaganda posters and a soldier’s kit, French, German and British helmets, medals, trench art, letters and the personal stories that connect the school to the battlefields of World War One.

Of special interest are seven letters from German soldiers at the front which have been translated for the first time by the school’s German exchange students, Jannike Heller and Nina Gabulnsky.

The exhibition captures the tragedy and horror of the Great War for all those involved. The stories of the dead, the injured and the families left behind are there to remind us of Ireland’s participation in ‘the war to end all wars’.

Sincere thanks has been extended to Michael Feeney, MBE, the curator and staff of the Museum of Country Life, Turlough, Savina Donohue and Cavan County Museum, Michael Currane, Tommy Houlihan, Stauntons Pharmacy, Castlebar, the Linenhall Arts Centre, Robbie Maguire and Mayo County Council, Mayo County Library, Lawless Glass, Stanley Jackson Engineering, CT Electrics, Peter Rabbitte and family and friends of St. Joseph’s.

Compiling this exhibition has given the students and teachers a better understanding and a deeper appreciation of the sacrifices made by ordinary people.

Due to demand, the exhibition will be open to the public on Saturday next, January 31, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.