Pupils from six local primary schools had their work on exploring their local townlands commended by the Chairman of Omagh District Council, Councillor Martin McColgan at the opening of the annual Schools Place Names Project exhibition at Strule Arts Centre on Monday 8 June 2009. Key Stage 2 pupils from Drumduff Primary School, Gibson Primary School, McClintock Primary School, All Saints Primary School, St Teresa’s Primary School Loughmacrory and St Patrick’s Primary School Eskra, have spent recent weeks researching the names of the townlands in which they live and go to school, exploring their history, interesting or historic features and well known people or personalities who lived in their locality in the past.Speaking at the launch of the Place Names exhibition, the Chairman of Omagh District Council, Councillor Martin McColgan commended the schools on the enthusiasm with which they participated in the project and congratulated the pupils on the excellence of the research they carried out which contributes to the vital work of preserving and promoting this rich part of our heritage. “Omagh District Council places great value on the rich cultural heritage which our place names and townland names provide.  Your cultural heritage defines who you are and I see the townlands and placenames as being central to that sense of identity.  These projects are a reminder of the rich culture and history associated with the town lands and place names of the Omagh District and I hope they have given you a greater understanding of and interest in where you come fromâ€, he added.The Schools Place Names Project is organised by the Arts & Tourism Department of Omagh District Council and the exhibition will continue until the 30 June 2009.