About 100 former pupils and residents from both sides of the border attended a Bonfire Night reunion at the Community Centre on the site of the old Rockfield National School near Belleek, County Fermanagh. The event brought together multiple generations to share memories of their school days.

The bonfire was kept to a few barrels for health and safety reasons. Music was provided by the O'Brien family and Cyril Brennan. The gathering was organised by a committee formed after an initial meeting called by Catherine McLaughlin. Members included Michelle Gallagher, Miriam Ryan, Alice Treacy and Rosie O'Reilly. Paul Gallagher supplied the bonfire.

Much of the evening centred on recollections of Frank O'Donnell, the school's principal from the mid-1950s until 1992. O'Donnell, who stood 6 feet 4 inches tall, was originally from Kilcar in County Donegal. Former pupil Jim McCafferty, who attended from 1956 to 1964, described bringing milk bottles and sandwiches to school each day. His father delivered turf and sticks to fuel the classroom fire.

McCafferty recalled that O'Donnell lit the fire each morning and sent children to collect sticks from the hedgerow. He said that if a pupil had been disciplined, they would gather wet sticks so the fire would not catch. Another memory involved a broken window: during a football game, a free kick shattered the glass and cut McCafferty's brother Harry. The principal angrily threw the ball into the fire but bought a replacement the next day.

The principal's mood was said to hinge on the success of the Kilcar Gaelic football team. A loss meant pupils needed to have their homework finished; a win would see O'Donnell arrive with a bag of sweets. At Christmas, he used his own money to buy presents, distributing them based on exam results. He also played the piano accordion and led the school to victory in a South Donegal competition in the early 1960s.

Rosie O'Reilly said the aim was to revive the social tradition of ceilidhing. Among the attendees was her 88-year-old mother Mary McKeaney, who served as the local postmistress for more than 50 years after moving to the area in 1966. O'Reilly also credited teacher Nuala Slevin for sewing classes. The youngest guest was Annie Maguire.