Media Library

Speeches

ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF HER VISIT TO RINGASKIDDY

ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF HER VISIT TO RINGASKIDDY NATIONAL SCHOOL

Firstly, I’d like to thank the ‘real’ Mary McAleese, your school principal, for inviting me to be with you in this – the centenary year of Ringaskiddy National School. I’d like also to thank Fr. Galvin for his kind words of welcome – and I have to say that I was really delighted with the warm reception I received as I arrived – from the pupils and teachers - and, of course, from the people of the community.

Looking at Ringaskiddy today - and at your school – it’s difficult to imagine what it must have been like a hundred years ago – when Ringaskiddy was a small village - and when there were certainly no big industries or deep water berths here. It was a quiet peaceful place – just two rooms with tow separate entrances - where boys and girls from the village and from the surrounding areas - came into the school through the different doors – at different times – and into the two classrooms. Since then of course, the school has really changed with the times – with the school becoming co-educational in 1938 – the installation of water and toilet facilities in the 1950’s – the removal of the dividing wall between the two parts of the building in the 1960’s. A major change occurred in 1969 – almost thirty years ago – when children no longer had to bring in sticks for the fire during the cold winter months - because oil-fired central heating was installed.

And back in the days of the open fire – when the children used to leave their bottles of tea or cocoa beside the fire to heat up – I am told that there was many a day of drama and excitement when a bottle over-heated and exploded unexpectedly! But drama is something that Ringaskiddy National School is renowned for – with its long tradition of involvement in Féile Scoil Drámaíochta – competing for the All-Ireland title a total of 21 times – and bringing home the cup on 16 of those occasions. And the “Módh an Aoibhnes” method of teaching Irish through drama – a method that is now used throughout the country in schools and teacher training colleges - originated here in this school – and has given the school a high reputation for drama and the teaching of Irish.

As I said – the school has seen many changes over the last century. The changes that have taken place in Ringaskiddy itself over the last two to three decades in particular – have meant that the school has taken on a new significance in the community. The closure of the Haulbowline one-teacher school and the influx of new families from Cork - and with the new industries – have given the school a new importance for the people of this area. Another major and exciting development has been the arrival of computers at the school – as event which has opened up new horizons and new possibilities for the pupils and staff.

It is a great credit to the teachers and parents who have such a commitment to the school – that it is today such a fitting place for the young people from Ringaskiddy – and, indeed, from farther afield. It has already seen many generations through their schooling – has set them up for their future careers in life. It has formed and seen many characters pass through its doors.

As we commence the next century - and as we look to a new millennium with great hope and self-confidence – I have no doubt that the school will continue to serve as the great place of learning that it has been - a place of which the people of Ringaskiddy can be justly proud – and for many generations to come. I want to congratulate you all on reaching your first hundred years and to wish you the very best for the next century.