FORMER pupils who attended Garron Tower gathered on Saturday to reminisce and celebrate seven decades of Catholic secondary education at the Glens of Antrim school.
An event to mark 70 years of teaching at the Carnlough landmark also saw a book about the history of schooling at St MacNissi's College was also launched.
A former summer residence for the Marchioness of Londonderry, Frances Anne Vane, which was constructed in 1850, Garron Tower became home to the college just over a century later.
Following an amalgamation between St MacNissi's and two other schools in 2010, St Killian's College was born.
The building's educational history was celebrated on Saturday when past pupils gathered for a special open day that saw a new book chronicling the school's history launched.
Penned by former Irish News journalist Denis O'Hara, 'The Tower: Seventy Years of Memories 1951-2021'' details the proud history of teaching at the imposing building, which overlooks the sea from its plateau nestled among the picturesque Glens.
He was the very first pupil enrolled in the school and joined old friends from the Class of 1951 during the open day.
Attendees also gathered for a special mass celebrated by former pupil and Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown and Bishop of Raphoe Alan McGuckian, before events including film screenings of work produced by the school's former Tower Film Society.
Speaking to the Irish News, Mr O'Hara thanked the event's organising committee for bringing people together for the event.
"A fantastic day was had by all, and it was great to see so many old faces - some for the first time in decades," he said.
"It was wonderful to be back at the old school with so many past pupils and staff and we hope that there will be many more generations who will look back with love for their time spent at Garron Tower."
