Fiona Uí Mhuiris, Lisa De Róiste, Elaine Ní Dheargáin and Máire Ní Laocha at the Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí 25th anniversary celebration dinner at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
THERE was great celebrations in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday as Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí marked its 25th anniversary.
Current and former staff, as well as past pupils many more people associated with the school, attended the dinner where the illustrious history of the school was reflected on and celebrated.
“Tonight we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of our school,” explained Principal Austin Ó Seachnasaigh at the hotel, just prior to the event.
“It is the culmination of six months work and we are very happy to welcome founders of the school from 1989, the teachers from back then, past pupils, parents and members of the board of management. We’re looking forward to a fabulous night,” he said.
The Principal expained the genesis of the school.
“The school was founded by Seán Ó Loingsigh, Seán Ó Domhnall, Padriag MacFhearghusa and Paul Lucey. They were among the group from Conradh Na Gaeilge that started a campaign to have second level education through Irish, as a follow on from Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn. They were also involved the foundation of that school in the 1970s,” said Austin.
“We’re very fortunate to have Eamonn Fitzmaurice, the current Kerry manager and a former pupil of the school, here tonight, and Paul Lucey has brought the Bishop Moynihan Cup here as Dara Ó Luing and Fearghal Mac Conmara are members of the Austin Stacks team,” said Austin.
Judging by the quote below from the school’s Facebook page posted yesterday, it’s safe to say the night went well!
“Bhí an-oíche againn san Ballyroe Heights Hotel aréir. Bhí craic, ceol agus caint ó thráthóna go maidin. Míle buíochas do gach duine a fhreastal air.”
Scroll down for photos…
Kerry senior team bainisteoir Eamonn Fitzmaurice with sister Clíona and uncle Thomas at the Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí 25th anniversary celebration dinner at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
April Drew, Emer Moriarty, Doireann Barrett and Toireasa Ferris at the Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí 25th anniversary celebration dinner at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Donal and Sarah Nolan at the Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí 25th anniversary celebration dinner at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Frazer Hanrahan, Richard Barrett, Conor Freeman, Donal Ó Ruanaidh and Brian Coakley with, in front, Amy Slattery and Bláithnaid Coakley at the Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí 25th anniversary celebration dinner at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Ruairí Ó Cinnéide, Deputy Principal; Eamon Mac Muiris, past Deputy Principal; Padraig Ó Dálaigh, past Principal and Austin Ó Seachnasaigh current Principal, at the Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí 25th anniversary celebration dinner at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Peter and Helen O’Brien and Treasa Ryle at the Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí 25th anniversary celebration dinner at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Claire O’Brien, Sadhbh Barrett Coakley, Susan Barrett and Marcella Finn at the Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí 25th anniversary celebration dinner at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Elaine Dold and Catríona Ní Shuilleabháin at the Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí 25th anniversary celebration dinner at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Dylan Seymour, Daniel O’Connor and Michael Griffin at the Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí 25th anniversary celebration dinner at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
SInead Ní Chathasaigh, Bríd Ní Shuilleabháin and Karen Ní Ártaigh at the Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí 25th anniversary celebration dinner at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
