Northern Notes

for the war in 1914. The elite Catholic schools believed in the benefits of being in the British Empire despite favouring Home Rule for Ireland. As part of the growing, educated Catholic middle and upper classes, they were preparing to play a role in the devolved government of Ireland after they had fought with the United Kingdom in what they perceived as defence of the Empire .

‘Elite Protestant schools, on the other hand, firmly supported British government rule in Ireland and opposed Home Rule. The majority Protestant population schools were part of a much more polarised society: one fundamentally divided on sectarian lines.

‘In doing so much in-depth research, I have been amazed at the wide-ranging contribution of the schools – both Catholic and Protestant – across the island of Ireland. It has proven to be a fascinating subject and one that I hope others will enjoy when reading my book.’

Michael can be contacted on m.mcguiggan@talk21.com.

World War 1 memorial window at the Royal School Dungannon dedicated to those from the school who gave their lives.

One lady who’s ‘barking’ up the right tree!

Yvonne Farquhar

Ruby, one of Yvonne’s four dogs! Dog lovers always want the best for their pooches and Yvonne Farquhar – the ‘Dog Lady’ – knows exactly how to ensure that man’s – and woman’s - best friend is fed perfectly.

‘A few years ago,’ Yvonne told Northern Notes, ‘I heard some negative remarks about kibble (dried dog food), so I did some research and was quite shocked at what I found. This was the start of my raw feeding journey for my own dogs, which then eventually led me (in my 50s) to a new career in the business of dog food.’

What does a raw food diet actually mean for a dog?

‘A raw diet,’ Yvonne continues, ‘is based on what is called 80/10/10. A complete or 80/10/10 mix is made up from 80 per cent meat, ten per cent bone and ten per cent offal. This seems to work well for most dogs and is based on what dogs would have eaten from a carcass in the wild. Each meal doesn’t have to contain those percentages; you can spread them out over a week as long as their diet is roughly based on those figures. Too much bone will cause constipation, too little bone will cause loose poo and there won’t be enough calcium in the diet. ‘The easiest way to feed raw, especially as a beginner, is to feed complete meals where all the calculations have been done for you. Variety is very important with a raw diet because dogs need different types of meat to get the nutrition they need. A dog will survive just eating beef and chicken for example, but wouldn’t be getting anywhere near the nutrients required to be healthy. I would also recommend feeding two to three eggs per week and there are other things that can be added for a nutrient boost, or to support a health issue.

‘The benefits of a raw food diet go without saying: a shinier coat, healthier skin, improved dental health, fresher breath, increased energy, and smaller stools, superior joint and bone health, strengthened immune system, better digestion....the list is endless.’

To date, Yvonne has helped hundreds of people to transition their dogs onto raw food and is currently working with a local raw food producer, Rawlishus, which is based in Dromore, Co. Down.

A selection of the healthy meat Yvonne offers her clients!

Selection of raw dog food

What advice would Yvonne give to pet owners?

‘I would encourage all pet owners to read the ingredients list on the back of the food,’ she concludes. ‘Research what the ingredients are and decide if you are doing the best you can for your pets. The most expensive food is not always great either. I’m always happy to help people make better choices. ‘I love the fact that I know exactly what I’m feeding my dogs. I love seeing them enjoy their food so much and it’s a joy to watch the excitement when it’s being put out for them!’

New trees take root in Causeway Coast and Glens

Alderman Michelle Knight McQuillan, Chair of Council’s Platinum Jubilee Working Group, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Ivor Wallace, and Leona Kane, Deputy Lieutenant of County Londonderry, pictured at Letterloan where thousands of new trees have been planted as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has planted almost 14,000 new trees as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy.

The initiative has led to the creation of a woodland area on Council land at Letterloan, near Macosquin, featuring a mix of oak, hazel, birch, rowan, wild cherry, crab apple, common alder, hawthorn, blackthorn, Scots pine and native willow along with a smaller plot planted at Camus Forest outside Coleraine.

To mark the completion of the planting, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Ivor Wallace, along with the Chair of Council’s Platinum Jubilee Working Group, Alderman Michelle Knight McQuillan, recently met with the Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry, Alison Millar, and Deputy Lieutenant Leona Kane, at Letterloan.

‘I am very pleased that Council has participated in the Queen’s Green Canopy, and that we will now have these very special areas as a living reminder about Her Majesty, and the significance of this Platinum Jubilee year,’ the Mayor said.

‘Alongside this, increasing the numbers of native trees is welcome news for our local environment as it will enhance our outdoor spaces, improve the biodiversity of our Borough and help us to reduce our carbon footprint.’

New Derry history to cast a long shadow

A new book celebrating 1500 years of Derry’s most historic site is the first comprehensive history of the area to be produced in more than a century. been published by Colmcille Press,has been written by Ivor Doherty, Martin McGeehan and Joe Martin, and features more than 30 contributors, including Dr Brian Lacy, Séamas O’Reilly, Patricia Nic Torcail and Professor Declan McGonagle.

The researchers follow the site from Columban times, through the Middle Ages and the era of Penal Law, through the revival in the 1800s and 1900s, right up until the recent 1500th anniversary celebrations. revolutionary priests, hostile city authorities, a graveyard landslide, and a pro-establishment bishop known as ‘Orange Charlie’. They also unearth the story of how the Long Tower came to have one of the finest collections of church art outside Italy.

By using archives, annals and ancient records, the authors attempt to pinpoint the location of the sixth-century monastic settlement, the route of the medieval Columban pilgrimage, and the exact site of the twelfth-century Fada (Long Tower); said to be the tallest building in Ireland at the time.