Postcards from the Past; Celebrating the 400th Anniversary of Ballybofey

Huge congratulations to those who participated in the recent postcard art exhibition that was a focal point of the 400th Anniversary celebrations of Ballybofey held on Friday 27th to Sunday 29th September 2019.  This idea blossomed into a wonderful display of  creativity with postcards depicting popular landmarks, crafts and traditions.  The postcards were a celebration of culture and remembered the ‘Fair Days’.

Mrs Molloy, Art teacher at Finn Valley College, felt this project was a huge success as it “Promoted innovation and creativity as well as building and maintaining good relationships with the wider Community”.

The BASE Enterprise Centre in Stranorlar worked in collaboration with the students to make this exhibition possible.

The exhibition was a community event and so the students looked to the local community for submissions of artwork for their exhibition. A press release went into the local Finn Valley Voice, the school Facebook page and the BASE Centre Facebook page. Artwork came in from individuals and groups. The students also encouraged some teachers to submit artwork, which brought a variety of crafts and skills to the project.

The local Friday Club ( for senior citizens ) visited the Art room and the 4th year students helped them to get started on their ideas for the postcard exhibition. The Art department have made a link with this group and have maintained the relationship through this project. The students looked forward to meeting the group each week and being inspired by their elders.

The following 4th year art students curated the ‘Postcards from the Past’ Art Exhibition with the help of their Art teacher Mrs Molloy.  Beautiful work was submitted by Aine Arnorld, Gareth Foy, Hannah Kelly Lynch, Eliza Kuske, Courtney O’Neill, Chloe Mc Nulty, Amy Lee Henderson, Kerrie Lee Gallinagh , Orla Mc Elchar, Savannah  Rose Thompson Mc Closkey.

We hope you enjoy their work in the video attached.  Well done to all on your achievements and involvement on this school and community based project.