Three of the former principals of Enniskillen Campus of CAFRE – Roy McClenaghan, Sam Morrow and Eric Long – returned to the establishment for a special event where they joined with the Head of Campus, Seamus McAlinney, to plant elm trees in recognition of their service there.

Roy McClenaghan was principal from 1989 to 1993, while Sam Morrow held the position from 1995 to 1996, and was succeeded by Eric Long from 1996 to 2001.

They were joined with the Head of Campus since 2001, Seamus, who retires later this month.

The first three principals of the college (R. H. Houston, R. B. Fulton and D. G. O’Neill) previously planted their trees in 1989.

At the event, Martin McKendry CAFRE Director, welcomed the former principals and a number of the current staff to the event and noted that it was fitting for elm trees to be planted in the townland of Levaghy, as the origins of the name is Leamhachaidh, or ‘elm field(s)’, and also how the planting of disease-resistant elms demonstrated how technological advancements in land-based research and technologies have progressed since the establishment of the campus in 1967.

Today, the campus provides equine education and knowledge transfer, ranging from Level 2 (Apprenticeship/Diploma) to Level 6 qualifications (Honours Degree), with part-time agriculture courses, farrier courses and industry training also delivered at the breeding, racing and equitation facilities on the 62-hectare site.

The campus demonstrates some of the latest equine technologies to both students and to industry, from digitally measuring and analysing gait and saddle pressures to extensive use of horse-riding simulators.

The campus estate has also been developed in recent years as a platform to demonstrate a range of environmental enhancement works which are complimentary to the equine enterprises and enhance student and staff wellness.

As an integral part of CAFRE, Enniskillen Campus holds the Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) Marque accreditation and is managed in an environmentally-sustainable way in accordance with the LEAF standard.

CAFRE Enniskillen Campus has developed strong links to the equine industry, both nationally and internationally, with the campus regularly linking with key industry partners such as Godolphin and Coolmore in addition to working with academic and industry stakeholders in Kentucky and Holland.