White Row

This exciting new work commemorates the four hundredth anniversary of the death of Con ONeill, whose passing marked the end of the Gaelic way of life in Ulster. White Row author Dr Kieran Hickey has turned his attention from climate change to the vagaries of Irelands recent weather. The summer of 2009 broke all rainfall records, and the subsequent November was the wettest month in two hundred years. Kierans Deluge: Irelands weather disasters 2009-10 (Open Air) examines these phenomena, and much more besides. It will be interesting to hear what he makes of this years exceptionally nippy winter. No doubt we will hear in due course! In June, Regent Houses class of 69 reassembled in Newtownards for its first reunion in over forty years. Former pupils flew in from Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Australia for a weekend of celebration. As well as touring the school very little of which they now recognised! they enjoyed dinner in the town hall, and a boat trip to the enigmatic Copeland Islands, the history of which is, of course, set out in White Rows blockbusting, Portavo. The tour was led by Dr Trevor McCavery, who as well as being one of our authors, is Regents current headmaster. By way of appreciation, fellow White Row author Desi Rainey presented the school with a copy of his A Taste of Old Comber (2002 and still selling.) Catch the photos on YouTube!