REMARKS BY PRESIDENT AT THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION OF SCOIL NÁISIÚNTA CHOLMCILLE
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION OF SCOIL NÁISIÚNTA CHOLMCILLE
A Thiarna Easpaig, a Ardmhéara, a Bhráithre, a mhúinteoirí, a thuismitheoiri agus a pháistí:
Cuireann sé an-áthas orm a bheith libh inniu chun an ócaid stairiúil seo a cheiliúradh libh. Tá ceiliúradh céad caoga bliain an-speisialta, go mórmhór nuair is ceiliúradh é ar thraidisiún uasal oideachais.
Bishop Buckley, Lord Mayor, Brothers, teachers, parents, students and friends;
It is wonderful for me to have the honour of celebrating with you this historic occasion – the 150th anniversary of the foundation of this school, Scoil Cholmcille. I would especially like to thank John Curtin, from the Board of Management, for inviting me here today and all of the students for giving me such a warm welcome, with your wonderful guard of honour and beautiful singing.
As you all know, we owe the existence of the school to the generosity and foresight of James Hegarty, a local businessman, who wanted the children of his employees to have a decent and free education. Together with Fr. Daniel Foley, he asked the North ‘Mon’ brothers to set up a school on a site rented from the Earl of Cork, beginning a tradition of education for the Boys of Blarney Street which has continued up to the present day and which forms such an important part of the life of this city.
It is my great privilege to join you here today to celebrate and acknowledge the crucial work carried out by Christian Brothers in schools such as this over the past 150 years. I am delighted to have this opportunity to congratulate all those dedicated brothers and teachers who spent their lives providing a good education and a very real sense of spirituality, respect and values to the children who attended here. It is clear that your work is deeply appreciate within this community, as evidenced by the fact that when the Brothers considered withdrawing from the school due to declining numbers, local people successfully petitioned them to remain on the teaching staff into the new millennium. That is a very real tribute to the esteem in which you are held here in Blarney Street. It was particularly important in today’s climate of cynicism to receive that level of affirmation ,for these are difficult days for the clergy and for the teaching orders. Under scrutiny, and rightly so, for past care which fell below the standards we would all regard as acceptable, it is also important to balance that grim story with the more inspiring side of the story. That side is characterised by selflessness and caring, of giving so that others would blossom.
The education that generations of boys have received here has been characterised by dedication, hard work and a unique tradition of support for the Irish language and Gaelic Games. More than that, they have received a level of encouragement and support at a crucial time in their young lives, which has carried them successfully through their later life. They are proof of the Irish saying: ‘Mol and Óige agus tiocfaidh sí’ – praise the youth and they will blossom. The quite exceptional list of distinguished past pupils who have made their mark on every aspect of Irish society – academic and religious life, the business world, sport, the judiciary, politics and the media – is a testament to the very proud tradition which the present-day pupils are fortunate to have inherited.
The esteem in which this school is held both by the community and by past pupils, is clear from the many former students and members of the community who have participated in and supported the school’s Building Committee. Their trojan fundraising work, and that of the Parents’ Association, under the leadership of Louise O’Leary, has ensured that the school has been able to respond to the changing needs of the area and of the modern world.
I congratulate the Brothers, the Board of Management, teachers, parents and students on this 150th anniversary and I wish all of you every success in the future.
Mo bhuíochas libh arís. Go maire sibh.