Fragments of History.[1] School Annuals.

 

I have not been able to determine exactly who was first to publish a school annual in Co. Roscommon. In the Foreword to the CBS “School Record” of 1953 [2] the editor states “The School Record differs from the general run of School Magazines in so far as pride of place goes to the picture gallery …” From this we can presume that there were other school magazines around at the time, though not necessarily in Co.  Roscommon, and that they were mostly text based, rather that photographic, in nature.

 

Though not the earliest of the genre, a very early magazine was produced by students of St. Mary’s College (Coláiste Mhuire), Boyle in June 1970. The magazine was called “St. Mary’s College Annual”. In the foreword Vincent Hanly, Bishop of Elphin congratulated the senior boys on their initiative. He continues “The decision to publish a school magazine is itself a practical one. The people served by the school like to know what is going on within it’s walls. Parents can look to a school magazine for quite an amount of information they have a right to expect… As an accessible record of happenings during the year the school magazine can be very important. No less important is … the opportunity it gives to students to express themselves on various topics.” [3] These sentiments have been echoed down through the years in the many school annuals that have followed.

 

St. Mary’s College produced another volume, No. 2 in June 1971. Both measured 24.5 cm by 19 cm, smaller than No. 3 of June 1972 which measured 28.5 cm by 21 cm, which was itself slightly smaller than the standard A4 (29.5 cm by 21 cm) format adapted in subsequent years and by all other school magazines in the county. No. 4 appeared in October 1973 and this seems to be the last of the original series. In 1985 St. Mary’s College produced a souvenir for their 30^th. anniversary reunion and in 1988 another magazine was produced for a reunion of past pupils to be held in London at Easter. Both of these publications were edited by teacher Tony Conboy. In his introduction to the 1985 edition the editor comments on the fact that the earlier annuals were “a fine record of those years” [4]. Today the entire series is a remarkable reminder, in pictures and in words, of the history of the College in the 1970’s and 1980’s.

 

The earliest school annual so far found for Roscommon comes from Roscommon town and is perhaps the longest continuous publication of it’s type in the county. The magazine is called “Rosc Chomáin” and has appeared almost every year since 1966.[5] Produced by Roscommon Christian Brothers School (CBS) the magazine was originally produced by 5^th. year students but later became a “Transition Year” project. The name derives from the words ‘Rosc’ meaning exclamation, battle cry or slogan, and ‘Chomáin’ after St. Coman of Roscommon. The translation as given in issue No. 6, “The Declaration of Comáin” [6] might be better rendered as “The Cry of Comáin” as reflected in the purpose of the magazine as a communications tool, (similar to the term Town Crier etc). In the 1976 edition the editorial committee tried to explain the thinking behind the magazine. They wrote, “.. Rosc Chomáin is a means of communication. It contains the results of research of pupils in the CBS. This is put forward through the media of the articles and stories.” [7] Bishop Hanly would, I’m sure, have been pleased.

 

Initially the annuals were numbered and the sequence is No. 1 (1966), No’s 2 (1967) and No. 3 (1967), No. 4 (1968), No. 5 (1969 or 1970) [8], No. 6 (1971), No. 7 (1972), and then Volume 8 (1973), June 1974, June 1975 etc. until finally the month was dropped and all subsequent issues had the year only. The latest edition is 2007. Each magazine contains stories by student writers on various topics of interest, many relevant to Roscommon, and photographs of the various classes, teams etc. in the school at the time. School tours, competitions and colour photographs have been added over time and this general scheme has been followed by all of the school publications represented in this essay.

 

The next for mention came from Scoil Chriost an Rí in Boyle. The first edition appears to be from 1978 or 1979.[9] To date I know of issues for 1981,[10] 1985, 1986 and 1987. (I would be grateful to anyone who can fill in any further details for this publication). About the same time another school annual was making an appearance. The name of this publication was originally “Reflections” and an edition under this title appeared in 1979 but it is under the title “Macalla” that it has stood the test of time. The latest edition is 2007. The magazine is produced by the girls of The Convent of Mercy in Roscommon town. Early editions were managed by teacher James Hoban but the girls soon took charge and the publication has been produced almost every year since.

 

With the success of magazines like Rosc Chomáin and Macalla in celebrating school life and student talent is it any wonder that many other schools followed suit. “Inspirations” was produced by the students of Roscommon Vocational School and I am aware of three issues, for 1981, 1882 and 1983. [11] Another edition appeared in 1994 and was titled “Inspirations 1984 – 1994, so it would appear to be the next in sequence. A newspaper called “Newsview” was also produced in 1984. [12]

 

Twenty-first century production methods mean that high-class colour publications are now well within the means of schools and students can learn writing, editorial, fund-raising and other skills, while also enjoying themselves. Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown has produced at least three annuals under the titles “Sources” in 2001, “Horizons” in 2003 and “Firinne” in 2005 and there may be others I am unaware of. Elphin Community College produced a “Transition Year Magazine” in 2003. It was called “Clover” in 2004, “I’m a Student Get me out of Here” in 2005 and “Elphin Community College – School Annual 2006”. Abbey Community College in Boyle produced “Echoes From the Abbey 2003 – 2004”, “The Abbey Times 05 – 06” and “Abbey Community College Yearbook. Class of 06”. Finally the latest to join the illustrious band is Roscommon Community College which, at time of writing, had produced their “Eolas” in 2006.

 

Why are these publications important and why would anyone want to collect them, study them and write about them? The answer can be found in Bishop Hanly’s introduction to St. Mary’s College Annual back in 1970. He wrote “Quite a lot of what happens in or in connection with school has a news value. Some will appear piecemeal over the year in the local press. Some may not have been published at all. (authors emphasis)” [13] Here he expresses the conundrum of history. If things are not written down they are forgotten and once forgotten, never happened! So many things happen and are forgotten, but thanks to the industry and efforts of students throughout the county, much has been preserved. For this, if for no other reason, these annual magazines must be preserved.

 

This essay is intended to arouse interest and comment. The author would be delighted to hear from anyone who can add, correct or comment on any aspect of the subject. The author has a good collection of original Roscommon school magazines and photocopies of others. He would be delighted to hear from anyone who might have copies of old school annuals that they no longer require and might contribute to the collection. He sincerely thanks all those who have commented on, provided information, provided material for copying or contributed material to the collection, as a result of previous articles and he hopes that you find this one interesting. Please contact the author with your views etc.