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Vice Principal Robert Flaherty, Principal Anne O’Callaghan, Mayor of Tralee Norma Foley and artist Mary J Leen (daughter of stonemason Billy Leen) at the unveiling of the new stone sculpture at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE history of the CBS The Green was recalled at a special celebration of the school on Friday on the occasion of the 90th anniversary since the building of the school.
There were many past members of staff and former pupils present for the event which was also saw the official opening of the new astroturf facilities, the unveiling of a beautiful stone sculpture at the Dan Spring Road entrance to the school and the planting of a tree in memory of the late Chairman of the Board of Management, Mr Tom O’Halloran, who passed away last year.
A huge amount of work had gone into preparations for the occasion, including the compiling of photographs of classes from over the decades and articles from down the years which featured in the local press. Past pupils could also search through the roll books from down the years to find their names and recall who was in their class.
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The day began with Principal of CBS The Green, Ms Anne O’Callaghan, detailing the history of the building of the school along with the cultural, sporting and academic achievements of the school down the years, followed by Brother James Whelan recalling his time as principal there in the 90s and early noughties.
Mass was celebrated by Bishop of Kerry, Ray Browne and ten other clergymen, many of whom are past pupils.
Former Principal, Brother James Whelan, former teacher Padraig Ó Moráin and teacher John Culloty at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Afterwards, Brother James Whelan cut the tape to open the astroturf facility. Mayor of Tralee Norma Foley then unveiled the stone sculpture made by local stonemason Billy Leen, which will be lit up at night for all to see. There followed the planting of the tree in memory of Tom O’Halloran, watched by his wife Phyl.
Everyone went back into the school for refreshments and no doubt some tales were told about times in the old school.
“It’s been a wonderful day,” Principal Anne O’Callaghan told TraleeToday.ie. “What’s fantastic about it is there are so many former staff and older past pupils present. And the weather has held up too! The Mass was beautiful and everything went off well.” CBS The Green will hold an Open Night on Thursday, October 19. Scroll down for photos…
Former teachers Declan Hourigan and Pat McKenna at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Eileen and Bill Kennedy at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Former pupils Justin and Canice Walsh and Pa Laide at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Former teacher Willie O’Connor (centre) with teacher Damien McLoughlin and wife Adrienne at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Tommy O’Donnell, Fr Padraig Walsh and Ger Godley at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Former teacher Dermot Twomey with Gary Kavanagh at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Donal Kelliher and former teacher Kevin Rolls at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Mercy Mounthawk Vice-Principal Pat Fleming and Richard Hurley at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Current and former teachers Karen Tobin, Rory Costello, Shaun Johnson, Marie O’Connell, Declan Hourigan, Pat McKenna and Rachel Moynihan at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Bishop of Kerry Ray Browne (front second left) with clergy who celebrated Mass at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerry footballers and past pupils David Moran and Kieran Donaghy with Principal Anne O’Callaghan at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Brother James Whelan, past principal of the school cuts the tape to officially open the new astroturf pitch at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Planting a tree in memory of the late Tom O’Halloran were Phyl O’Halloran, Vice Principal Robert Flaherty, Mayor of Tralee Norma Foley and Principal Anne O’Callaghan at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Teachers Fionnán Fitzgerald and JJ O’Brien with Kerry O’Shea at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Adrian and Tomás Breathnach at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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David and Rachel Moynihan and Ellen Lynch at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Margaret and John Atkinson at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Caretaker Gary Kavanagh, Mayor of Tralee Norma Foley and Deputy John Brassil at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Past pupils Gerald Carroll, Maurice Daly and teacher Eamonn Walsh at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Former teacher Michael Laide with former pupils Ger Power and Paschal Sheehy at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Principal Anne O’Callaghan addressing the gathering at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Bishop of Kerry Ray Browne addressing the crowd at the opening of the astroturf pitch at the CBS The Green 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
The new monument at the Dan Spring Road entrance to CBS The Green unveiled at the 90th anniversary celebrations at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
I would have loved to be able to take part in the anniversary celebrations but did not hear anything until it was too late. It was great looking at the photos of past pupils and teachers. I was hoping to find some classmates of mine but only found one, that of Ger Power. I left school in 1970, the year I did my Leaving Cert. I often find myself thinking about the people I knew at school and what they are doing now.