CAFRE Greenmount students celebrate in style at annual formal

Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture students Estelle McIlwaine (Ballymena), Kate McShane (Newry), Kirsty Muldoon (Armagh) and Lucy Morrison (Dungiven).

Students from the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE)’s Greenmount Campus swapped their overalls for eveningwear this week, coming together to mark another academic year at the annual Greenmount Campus formal.

Held at the elegant Tullyglass House Hotel in Ballymena, the event brought together students from across the disciplines of Agriculture, Floristry, Horticulture, Land-based Engineering, and Veterinary Nursing for an evening of dining, dancing, and celebration.

The formal served not only as a social highlight of the year but also as a chance for students to pause, reconnect and reflect before diving into upcoming exams and coursework deadlines.

BSc (Hons) Degree and Foundation Degree students Ashley Neill (Portadown) Katelyn McConkey (Antrim), Paudy Gavin (Omagh), Anna Short (Magherafelt) and Alana McKendry (Ballymena).

“It was a fantastic opportunity for students to catch up with friends, share stories and make lasting memories,” a CAFRE spokesperson said.

A special highlight of the night was the return of Clare Gowell, a former exchange student from Michigan State University (MSU), who studied at Greenmount Campus during the autumn term as part of CAFRE’s international exchange programme.

Michigan State University student Clare Gowell returned to Northern Ireland to attend the Greenmount Campus formal, pictured with spring MSU exchange student Mariah Palazzola.

Clare attended the event alongside current MSU student Mariah Palazzola, with both having completed modules in Agriculture and Horticulture during the 2024–2025 academic year.

In the spirit of giving back, the night also featured a charity raffle supported by generous donations from local agri-food businesses.

The raffle raised an impressive £1,246, with all proceeds going to the Student Council’s nominated charities – Friends of the Cancer Centre and Kidney Research.

Horticulture students Michael Lauder from Ballyclare and David McAuley from Larne with their guests Charley McCormick and Emma Craig.

A CAFRE representative expressed their appreciation for the student community and those who supported the event:

“The night was made even more special thanks to the support of local businesses and the enthusiasm of our students. It was truly a celebration of the spirit and camaraderie that defines Greenmount.”

As the academic year approaches its conclusion, CAFRE extended its best wishes to all students preparing for their final assessments.

“To our students, especially those facing final exams at Greenmount Campus – your future starts now.”

Lucy Morrison (Dungiven), Caitlin Neale (Glenavy), Lucy Campbell (Aghalee), Annabelle Martin (Dromara), Kate McShane (Newry), Kirsty Muldoon (Armagh) and Estelle McIlwaine (Ballymena), all studying agriculture at Greenmount Campus.

For prospective students considering a career in the land-based sector, CAFRE offers a wide range of courses across its campuses.

More information is available at www.cafre.ac.uk.

Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture students Abbie McKinstry (Crumlin), Bethany Russell (Portadown) and Ellie Downward (Markethill).

Getting ready for the Greenmount Campus formal are students Thomas McAlinden (Lurgan), Jack Wilson (Enagh), John Kelly (Armagh), Rory McShane (Newry), Samuel Ruddell (Lurgan), Adam Booth (Newtownards), Clarke McCabe (Dromore), Dylan Reid (Carryduff) and Sam Killen (Newbuildings).

Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture students from County Armagh, Jack Wilson, (Enagh), and Samuel Ruddell, (Lurgan).

Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture students Laura Millar (Randalstown), Charlotte Moon (Coleraine), Laura Neill (Armagh), Anna Farley (Caledon) and Judith Heenan (Downpatrick).

Josh Waide from Ballymena joins CAFRE, Greenmount Campus students Sarah Boyd (Carrickfergus), TJ Murphy (Donegal), Katie Singleton (Monaghan), Adam McMullan (Londonderry) and Kaitlin Nicholl (Fermanagh).

Getting ready to enjoy the Greenmount Campus formal, Emma Bell (Antrim), Joe Logan (Antrim), Aimee Quigley (Strabane), Matthew McGuigan (Dungannon), Ben Woods (Fermanagh) and Laura Gormley (Claudy).