May started with great sadness as Fermanagh said farewell to George Young, a former principal of the Enniskillen Collegiate Grammar School (1976-1997) and much-revered figure in Fermanagh education.

He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his home at Cooper Crescent following a short battle with cancer. Leading family tributes was George’s youngest son, David, who said: “We will miss dad every day – his wisdom, his kindness and his unwavering love.

“He was our anchor, rock, and moral compass, but we are so blessed to have been able to call him our father.”

There was success for the west at Balmoral Show Beltex pedigree breeder, Andrew McCutcheon from Trillick, lifting the breed championship title with his very impressive ewe, Badoney Emerald.

Andrew enjoyed success with his family as the sun shone down on Balmoral Park for a return of the prestigious Show to its traditional May date.

In mid-May the Classic Fishing Festival Fermanagh 2022 got under way in wet conditions with 167 anglers battling it out for the overall first prize of £5,000. Sponsored by Waterways Ireland and organised by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, the famous event on the shores of Lough Erne returned after a two-year absence due to the pandemic.

The full extent of the cost of living crisis was revealed in May as Samantha Gallagher, Welfare Reform Advisor at Community Advice Fermanagh, described the incredibly tough choices that many people in the area were being forced to make.

Samantha highlighted numerous cases she was dealing with, including parents who were feeding their children instead of themselves. In one devastating example, Samantha recalled how, in speaking to a client about their situation, she could hear their stomach rumbling with hunger.

Also in May, ‘Line of Duty’ star and Fermanagh man Adrian Dunbar was on hand to launch the Enniskillen Gaels’ development plan as the newly-selected club ambassador.

Prior to the launch, he spoke to The Impartial Reporter about what his new role means to him.

Adrian said: “It’s a huge honour for me that the guys have selected me. I know of course I’ve got a lot of public attention, but at the same time, you know, you don’t treat these things lightly.

“It really is an honour for me and for my family that they’ve decided to choose me as an ambassador, and I hope I live up to the job.”

At the end of May, Fermanagh man Brian J. Falconer had every reason to smile along with his family at the launch of the final Channel 4 series of ‘Derry Girls’ – Brian, from Enniskillen, had helped to play a vital role as Producer on the concluding series of the global smash-hit TV show.

Brian spoke to The Impartial Reporter about his work on the show and his work as a producer in general, saying: “The way I work it out in my head is that every project is a jigsaw, and some of the pieces don’t quite fit, and the producer’s job is to make them fit.”