The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise’s campus at Loughry in Cookstown opened as the Ulster Dairy School in January 1908. As part of the plans to celebrate the centenary author Derek Alexander was commissioned to write a history of Loughry Campus. The book, titled “From Field to Fork - The Loughry Centenary Story” was launched recently by Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA.

The objective of the book is to present the story of Loughry’s first century, tracing its history, development and achievements. Some information is provided on the previous owners of the Loughry estate, mainly the Lindesay family, before it was purchased in 1906 as the site for an agricultural school. The academic side of the College’s activities over the years, together with some anecdotes from previous students and staff about their time at Loughry, are recorded. Details of the positive leadership given by the successive principals are included in the book. It also provides some information on the sporting and social activities of the students and their regular fund raising for charity.

The early courses dealt primarily with dairying, poultry keeping and housewifery, providing useful training for young women from the northern part of Ireland. As time progressed, the emphasis widened to include agriculture, food technology and communication. More recently, agricultural activities have ceased at Loughry and has specialised  in courses on various aspects of food and communication. Loughry has always striven to keep ahead of developments in the areas relevant to its courses and to meet the needs of the agri-food industry. This meant that buildings, equipment and methods of teaching were always evolving. The book describes these developments and also how the College hostel facilities and accommodation were improved constantly as numbers and aspirations of students increased.

Many ex-Loughry students have made, and are currently making, a vast contribution to the agri-food industries in Northern Ireland. Some of the early students have also contributed as successful home-makers throughout Ulster and beyond, attributing this partly to their training at Loughry!

The book is on sale at a price of £14.99 plus postage of £5 (within the UK). It can be obtained from the Loughry Association by calling at the Campus or by contacting Clare Conway, Telephone: 028 8676 8104. It is also on sale in Sheehy’s Newsagents, Cookstown.

Author Mr Derek Alexander (centre) pictured with the Head of Loughry Campus, Mr Ian Titterington (left) and the Chairperson of the Loughry History Project, Dr Michael Mullan (right).

The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise’s campus at Loughry in Cookstown opened as the Ulster Dairy School in January 1908. As part of the plans to celebrate the centenary author Derek Alexander was commissioned to write a history of Loughry Campus. The book, titled “From Field to Fork - The Loughry Centenary Story” was launched recently by Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA.

The objective of the book is to present the story of Loughry’s first century, tracing its history, development and achievements. Some information is provided on the previous owners of the Loughry estate, mainly the Lindesay family, before it was purchased in 1906 as the site for an agricultural school. The academic side of the College’s activities over the years, together with some anecdotes from previous students and staff about their time at Loughry, are recorded. Details of the positive leadership given by the successive principals are included in the book. It also provides some information on the sporting and social activities of the students and their regular fund raising for charity.

The early courses dealt primarily with dairying, poultry keeping and housewifery, providing useful training for young women from the northern part of Ireland. As time progressed, the emphasis widened to include agriculture, food technology and communication. More recently, agricultural activities have ceased at Loughry and has specialised  in courses on various aspects of food and communication. Loughry has always striven to keep ahead of developments in the areas relevant to its courses and to meet the needs of the agri-food industry. This meant that buildings, equipment and methods of teaching were always evolving. The book describes these developments and also how the College hostel facilities and accommodation were improved constantly as numbers and aspirations of students increased.

Many ex-Loughry students have made, and are currently making, a vast contribution to the agri-food industries in Northern Ireland. Some of the early students have also contributed as successful home-makers throughout Ulster and beyond, attributing this partly to their training at Loughry!

The book is on sale at a price of £14.99 plus postage of £5 (within the UK). It can be obtained from the Loughry Association by calling at the Campus or by contacting Clare Conway, Telephone: 028 8676 8104. It is also on sale in Sheehy’s Newsagents, Cookstown.

Author Mr Derek Alexander (centre) pictured with the Head of Loughry Campus, Mr Ian Titterington (left) and the Chairperson of the Loughry History Project, Dr Michael Mullan (right).