(source : Michael Creechan)

The old chapel looks a lot smaller today, doesn't it?

(source : Michael Creechan)


A view of the courtyard.

(Initially, you may be confused by this: in the old days it was just in black and white).

Fr Dick Kinlen writes 28/10/07 :
" Of course, that was an open windswept quadrangle with basketball equipment
as shown in a lower picture. The cloisters were also open to the elements. "


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(source : Michael Creechan)


Who wrote this ?
Any suggestions for "music reminding us of the spirit of the age in Melrose" for our SOUNDS FAMILIAR Appendix ?

Fr Kinlen writes :
"There was, maybe still is, a chuck of stone taken from Melrose Abbey
above the entrance to the chapel, with an inscription in Latin over it.
This text is the English translation: the idea is that the stone heard liturgical
music for several centuries before the dissolution of the monasteries,
then nothing for a long while, then heard it once again while it was part of our chapel. "


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(source : Michael Creechan)

The building is now a conference centre, but will be
just as recognisable to many of you today, of course.


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(source : Michael Creechan)


The path that leads to the St Columba's cemetery

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(source : Michael Creechan)


A part of the display in the Conference Centre, remembering the previous inhabitants

Note: nobody has yet identified the people who are featured in the photos
—since I first requested help in 2003. Any thoughts today ?

Fr Pierre Aucoin (who taught at St Columba's 1956-58) writes (5-10-07) :
" . . . on the right hand side, there are three students of St Columba's,
from left to right :
1: Michael DeLacy (St Columba's 1956-1958)
(but I am not too sure about him!) (see below)
2 : Stephen Shevlin (St Columba's 1954-1957)
3 : Stephen Duggan (st Columba's 1955-1957).

Can anyone confirm this ? "


(source : Paul West)

DOES THIS HELP ?
Paul Goodstadt writes (June 2008) :
" . . . I believe I am the one ascribed to as Michael de Lacey.
My wife, children and all the granchildren maintain
it is me anyway—probably something to do with
the ears, short trousers an the state of the blazer!!!!"


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(source : Michael Creechan)

More of the display. The photos can be found elsewhere in the GALLERY, of course

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(source : Michael Creechan)

The sign of the Pelican— but where is this feature ? Was it there in 'the old days' ?

Fr Kinlen writes : "
It is not surprising that no one remembers it from the "old days", it wasn't there!
I presume it is behind the porch on the "new" main entrance, as shown in one of the photos as  a conference centre. There was only one tower in "the old days"
- everything to the right of whatwas the ref and study hall wasn't there. The building was actually a lot more austere in the olddays. The "new wing" was built just before the fire, and had to be rebuilt afterwards. "


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(source : Michael Creechan)

Extract from the Visitors' Book (dates unknown)

Is that Bother Paddy's signature? And who is just above him ?
Bernie Aherne is a regular/annual visit to the old site/area

Fr Kinlen writes : " That appears to be the Rutherglen Community of a few years back,
possibly 1998-9, because John Lynch was there then. Eugene Leonard is Brother Eugene (still there) the name above is Pat Chambers who was obviously an old boy as well.  He was in Africa as a brother and later left the Society buit stayed on good terms with the Rutherglen Community. He's since passed away. "

Robbie Dempsey writes (November 2007) :
". . . There IS one Liam Lawlor's signature.
He is from my (and Dick's) time at St Columbas (+ Priory).
Liam is from Carlow I haven't heard a word of him since 1964ish."

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(source : Michael Creechan)

Extract from the Visitors' Book (dates unknown)

Michael & Paul Goodstadt will no doubt know the date for these entries.
You'll all remember Mrs Christine Hughes, of course, who will be 100 next year.

(see NEWS section)

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(source : Michael Creechan)

Extract from the Visitors' Book (2002 +)

Many of these entries were made on the occasion of the Grand Reunion at St Boswell's
which took place in September 2003—when most people stayed at The Dryburgh Abbey Hotel