In 2013 the Sisters in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan marked one hundred years of educational endeavour. The celebrations took many forms and the staff, pupils and parents of Scoil Na gCailini enjoyed a week of festivities.
What a week for Scoil na gCailiní! From Monday to Friday the children and their families experienced a variety of activities to celebrate the contribution the school has made to the life and education of the people of Castleblayney.
On Monday, Fr. Walsh blessed our fantastic new Buddy Garden. The sun shone at just the right time as everyone held hands to acknowledge the importance of friendship in our lives. Parents, Board of Management, garden designer Michael Carroll, staff and children all joined together to celebrate such a welcome addition to our playground.
Everyone then got a slice of our huge birthday cake with 100 years proudly displayed in cream and strawberries.
Birthday cake
On Tuesday a very special mass was celebrated by Fr. Walsh in the convent chapel. Invited guests included past pupils, teachers, staff, priests and Sisters of the convent. The choir under the guidance of Vera Muldoon and Bernadette Ward were angelic; Fr. Walsh’s homily was inspiring and a message of congratulations was read out from Bishop Liam McDaid. This mass was followed by the unveiling of a commemorative stone at the front of the school. This unveiling was performed by our oldest past pupil: Bridie Maguire.
Bridie Maguire unveiling commemorative stone with Gráinne Murtagh, Acting Principal
A reception in the school led to the telling of many stories – and many fond memories were shared on the night. Everyone had an opportunity to wander round the school and view the memorabilia on display. The school had been transformed! There were photos, projects, displays everywhere and they brought many a tear to the eye as past pupils found themselves in the rolls and in photos.
Wednesday was the day for the present day pupils. They were greeted on arrival to school by Sister Gráinne Murtagh in full Sister of Mercy regalia! She ushered the girls into the GP room where they were brought back in time by the famous Tommy McArdle who gave the girls an insight into what life was like when he was a boy.
It was then time to get into their house teams and begin the LOL Day. (Learn Out Loud). Each team attended 5 different classes during the day: they looked up the 1901 and 1911 census and researched past pupils on line. They attended a class with Pauline Tilson of the County Museum who gave them a flavour of life 100 years ago; they learned set dancing, did art lessons and sat at old-fashioned desks in a classroom done up as it would have appeared 100 years ago. There the girls learned to write and read old Irish writing. All children had a real sense of being brought back in time.
On Thursday we had a very interesting history trail around Castleblayney led by Mrs O’Driscoll. This was followed by an open night for all of Castleblayney to visit the school and be transported back in time. The museum classroom proved a big hit, as did the photographs, roll books and old copy books.
By Friday we were all exhausted but we had one final activity to do: to celebrate our 100 years the children released 100 balloons into the air to cheers and the sounds of Happy Birthday Scoil na gCailíní! What a week!
Staff and Pupils celebrate 100 years of Scoil na gCailíní
Thank you to everyone who helped make the week such a success.
Click here to read the Speech given by Gráinne Murtagh
Gráinne Murtagh
Acting Principal
Northern Province
