Our Lady’s Grammar School Crest

Monday 21st November, 1887 was an eventful day for the Sisters of Mercy in Newry and for nine young students who made history when Our Lady’s School opened its doors for the first time with Sr. M. Philip Magennis as Headmistress. Some time previously, Most Rev. Dr. Thomas McGivern, Co-Adjutor Bishop of Dromore, had asked Rev. Mother Emmanuel Russell, sister of Lord Charles Russell of Killowen, to open a School for the Catholic girls of Newry which was then a very thriving port and commercial centre with good canal and railway systems. With a population of 15,590 and with steamers arriving daily at the Albert Basin, Newry was quite cosmopolitan and had Consuls for the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, France and Italy.

Our Lady’s girls in the 1960s walking in the Corpus Christi procession through Newry

125 years later, the 860 girls who attend Our Lady’s Grammar School in 2012 are happily ensconced in a beautiful school building on Chequer Hall and are beginning a year of celebration to mark this very significant anniversary in the life of their school. This special year will honour the traditions of the past, celebrate the richness of the present and look with faith, hope and love towards all that the future holds.

Dancers at the Offertory Procession

On Wednesday the 21st November, 2012, the formal beginning of the anniversary year was marked by a beautiful sung Mass in the Cathedral of St. Patrick and St. Colman which was celebrated by his Lordship, Most Reverend John McAreavey. The concelebrants were Canon Francis Brown, Canon Cathal Jordan, Canon Francis Boyle and Fr.  John Byrne, School Chaplain to Our Lady’s.

Some of the Teachers and students bringing up Jigsaw pieces, that formed our school badge Ora et Labora, at the entrance procession
(A reflection was read as each piece was placed)

Many guests ~ Sisters of Mercy, Members of Past Pupils’ Union Committees, retired staff and Primary and Post – Primary School Principals ~ enjoyed lunch in the Canal Court whilst back at school, birthday cupcakes were enjoyed by the girls and their teacher. The famous all-day “21st Concert”, in which every girl in Our Lady’s appears on stage at some stage took place on the 22nd ….. we couldn’t forego that tradition in our anniversary year!

Blowing out the candles on the 125 birthday cake back at school

There will be, throughout the year of celebration, opportunities for past pupils, parents and friends of Our Lady’s to visit the school, meet students and staff and enjoy learning more about the history of our very special school –  and about its very busy present life too.

Geraldine Pettigrew
Principal
Northern Province