Memories

Here is a selection of the memories we've received so far. More will be added throughout the year.
To share your memories of Greenmount, please click here to email them to us.

Edwin Glass, 1954/55, New Zealand farmer
I entered Greenmount in 1954 along with my brother Derek as we had decided that we were going to be farmers. When I look back over 50 years it was a tremendous experience and it certainly gave me confidence in my farming career. The words of Matt Boyd at our prize giving ceremony still ring in my ears: “You young men think you know everything. Let me say that all we have tried to do is teach you to teach yourselves for the rest of your lives”. We hope we can live up to his expectations. Greenmount - what a beginning for a young agriculturalist.

Derek Glass, 1954/55, New Zealand farmer
Greenmount has played such a central role in setting us up for our lives as farmers in New Zealand, even though at the time we had no idea that this is where we would end up living.  Yes, there are many similarities between NZ and NI so our technical learning had some relevance, but Greenmount went one step further - we were taught to think and to challenge “accepted practices” in agriculture and this has been its true value.  On graduating from Greenmount we were set up for a life-long journey of learning.

Will and Gareth Taylor, 1962/63 and 1991/92, Glastry Farm, Kircubbin
Looking back, the year at Greenmount was one of the most enjoyable years of our lives. We met many new friends whose friendship remains to this day and we learned new ideas and the importance of keeping an open mind. We wish the College success in the years to come.

Brian Hutchinson, NCH 1984/85, Nursery and Garden Centre, Richill
The principles of crop production which I learned have been put to good use in growing flowers and foliage. Studying at has helped me to broaden my experience and introduce new ideas. Perhaps most importantly if I hadn’t attended Greenmount I might not have met my wife Shirley.

John McCallister, 1988/89, MLA, Deputy Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party
What I learned at Greenmount has stood by me and I feel has helped me become the person I am today.  In my role as MLA I am devoted to raising those "on the ground" issues which affect our farming and rural communities as a whole. Coming from a farming background I understand the worries and concerns of farmers and rural dwellers and try to support the farming sector whenever possible.

Darragh McCullough, 1994/95, RTE presenter
It was only when all my classmates had introduced themselves on their first day that I realised that I really was going to get more than an agricultural education in Greenmount. For the first time in my life I was the outsider. As a Dubliner I struggled with the accents initially - the clipped tones of east Down and Belfast to the drawls from Ballygawley and Strabane. But it was the lad from Ballymena who really took the biscuit. He might as well have been from outer space as I tried to disentangle his Scots twang and phrases. Seriously, what was I supposed to make of ‘Ya better get red up thur Darragh or you’ll have a lock of work to do in the morning’!

Oliver McWilliams, 1998/2001, Group 4 technical adviser Veterinary Service
When I was in fifth year at secondary school, as part of careers advice I got my father to take me to Greenmount’s Open Day. I will never forget that day. I was shown round on a one to one basis by a Diploma student and given an insight into what to expect from the course. I visited a lot of places during that period but I remember saying to my father as soon as we got in the car that day to go home, ‘I’m going to Greenmount to do my National Diploma’.