Heap of Stones is the name given to this area of Dolphin’s Barn from very early days. The name is on the gate of our school. The word Carnan is still used on the local Post Office stamp.

It is said that a king called Donchada lived in Newcastle in the early 700s and he had a burial mound in this area. This might have been where Old County Glen is built. Before the building of The Glen an extensive mound occupied this site. Donchada held an Aonach every few years. People gathered to buy and sell animals, to hear stories, poems and songs and to enjoy entertainment of different kinds. We think that these celebrations could have taken place around where our school is now..

A few years ago, we dramatised the Aonach and were awarded a Distinction by the ESB for our entry in their Local Awareness Competition.