`St Jarlath's College was, and, no doubt, still is, a very good place for observing parochial differences. There were recreation periods immediately after breakfast and tea during which games were little played, and, instead, the students walked around the great circular walk in groups of four, five, six or even eight: walking rapidly, but unhopefully like all prisoners, and particularly like the French convicts in Van Gogh's famous picture taking their daily, single-file, rapid, ferociously silent walk around and around their narrow prison yard. Except that in St Jarlath's silence was not required, and we gabbled like geese . . ."
This is one lasting impression of Tuam's famous educational institution, St Jarlath's College, which marks its bicentenary on July 8th. Writing in a past pupils' union magazine in 1955, author M.J. Molloy recalled how students from the same parish usually stuck together on the circular walk.
So, the Hollymount men were "giants" who marched in military precision, while the Castlebar group were very hip. "Whereas we bog-trotters tended to think there was something effeminate in paying any attention to one's hair at all, and went around with heads like bandits, these Castlebar lads had their hairs cut according to plan, brushed and parted according to plan, and sleeked with hair-oils which smelt of all the perfumes of Arabia . . ."
Hollymount giants, greased-back Castlebar types and other past pupils are urged to book now for tickets for the reunion, or "homecoming", given that the closing date for reservations is Wednesday. Contact number for reservation is 1800-216-016 and the e-mail is: info@jarlaths.ie
Next Sunday up to 100,000 people are expected to line the Salthill promenade in Galway for this year's airshow, which will be dedicated to the Air Corps crew who died in the Dauphin helicopter crash in Tramore, Co Waterford, last year.
The Air Corps, the Red Arrows, the US defence forces and St Ivel "Utterly Butterly" female wing-walkers are among those taking part in this year's event. The Salthill Airshow 2000 website is www.visitsalthill.com
Clare Island in Co Mayo will host the sixth Bard Summer School from July 3rd to 7th, promising a feast of stories, workshops, lectures, poetry and song.
For bookings, contact Karina Tynan or Elena Keany at (01)6149770 or e-mail: bard@bard.ie