Omagh Academy in Tyrone held its annual A-Level history conference on Friday. More than 100 students from schools across Tyrone, Fermanagh and Armagh attended the event in the school's assembly hall.

Students came from Loreto Grammar Omagh, Omagh CBS, Strabane Academy, Royal Schools in Dungannon and Armagh, St Michael's in Enniskillen, Devenish College and Mount Lourdes Grammar in Enniskillen.

Dr Russell Rees, a political historian and former head of history at the school, organised the conference. The sessions covered the partition of Ireland from 1900 to 1925, including the Home Rule Crisis, the rise of Sinn Féin and the Anglo-Irish Treaty. A question-and-answer session with Dr Rees followed the lectures.

Dr Rees has run the conference for over 30 years. He originally co-organised it with historian Eamon Phoenix, who covered nationalism while Dr Rees focused on unionism. The pair were active during the Decade of Centenaries from 2012 to 2023.

Dr Rees stated he stays engaged in the historical community, keeps contact with researchers and finds the lectures informative and inspiring. He noted the school's welcoming atmosphere persists despite changes in staff and pupils since he taught there for over 30 years.

Lindsey Gregg, head of history at Omagh Academy, called the conference an integral part of the A-Level curriculum. She said it benefits pupils during their revision schedules. Gregg thanked the visiting schools and Dr Rees for his lecture.