The Ballymanus mine disaster occurred on 10 May 1943 when local villagers attempted to bring ashore an unexploded marine mine. According to reports, the mine had been spotted by a number of people, including a local coastguard and two local youths waded out and tied ropes around it in an attempt to haul it ashore. They were then joined by other men and boys from the local area but as it was being hauled along the beach it is believed to have struck a rock and exploded, killing 18 young men between the ages of 13 and 34. Another died the following day. More than 40 houses in the nearby village were damaged by the blast. This year, 2018, marks the 75th anniversary of the the disaster and the children in the senior class paid a visit to the site, where a monument has been erected in memory of those who died. Local historian Jimmy Duffy was on hand to tell the students about the events of that day. 
