John Regan, son of the popular Seamus and Joan Regan, Maryland, Castlebar, is to undertake a Ph.D. thesis at the Institute of Astronomy at Cambridge University. He is currently completing his primary degree in Theoretical Physics and Mathematics at Trinity College Dublin. A student of St. Patrick’s National School and St. Geralds Secondary School in Castlebar this is quite an achievement for the young Castlebar man. He joins a number of other high-flying Castlebar students who have undertaken post-graduate studies in some of the world’s best universities – a credit to the standard of education received by students in Castlebar schools.

Christy Loftus takes a laudable anti-war line. "A sign that things are not going according to plan is to see American and British generals whinging that the Iraqis are not playing according to the rules" he says. They would like the Iraqis to come out with shotguns and slingshots against the might of the Apache helicopters, the patriot missiles, the hurricane tanks, the B52s, the stealth fighters and the cluster-busters, so that they might be slaughtered without any danger (other than from friendly fire) to themselves!

A vox pop among 10 or 11 GMIT students presents a diverse range of views on the matter of ‘facilities’ for students included comments such as the following:

• No student discounts in Castlebar
• No live music in town
• No student bands
• Plenty of ‘student’ pubs
• Lost of sports facilities on campus
• Not many students use the bowling alley
• Need a drama group
• Excellent social side
• No many good live bands this year – more last year
• Not much to do if you have a free class
• Need a common room
• Two small pool tables that are falling apart
• Bowling alley is a bit far
• You have to go to a pub in town
• Should be more social clubs in college
• Those that are there are not well advertised
• More days out or away for students
• Things will get better
• GMIT to get university status?
• Great social committee
• Great interaction between lecturers and students
• Staff very helpful
• Not many services
• Sports clubs should be for younger students
• No Table tennis or other less physical sports
• Some Sports should be better advertised
• Football hurling etc very popular
• Student pub and maybe a bank or pass machine
• Great atmosphere
• Wide range of services
• Sports and societies great for getting away from the books
• No gym
• A swimming pool at Lough Lannagh would help