Occasion of Pride and Achievement for Carnmore National School
Saturday, November 12th. was a red-letter day for the parents and pupils of Carnmore National School for on that occasion, they celebrated the opening of their beautiful new school extension. It was particularly special for local T.D. and past pupil, Noel Grealish who performed the opening ceremony.
The ceremonies got under way at approximately 2.30 p.m with the school band providing a musical welcome for the guests as they arrived. Master or should we say Mistress of Ceremonies for the afternoon was local business-woman Carmel Kenny. Carmel, who is also Chairperson of the Board of Management, welcomed the dignitaries of Church and State and also the parents and pupils, both past and present. Among those present were Martin Drennan, Bishop of Galway, Canon Noel Mullin, P.P. Claregalway, Frank Fahey, Minister of State, Councillors Jim Cuddy, Jarlath McDonagh and Mary Hoade.
At 3 p.m. the Green flag was raised by the teachers and pupils of the school re-cycling committee. This honour is awarded to schools which have achieved an exceptional level of environmental awareness, litter reduction and control and effective re-cycling of waste. Also, proudly on display, were the national flag and the red and white colours of Carnmore. This was followed shortly afterwards by the unveiling of a specially commissioned commemorative plaque by Noel Grealish T.D.
Immediately afterwards, the gathering moved to the school’s general purpose room where Bishop Drennan officially blessed the new extension and afterwards he and Canon Noel Mullin P.P. concelebrated a special Mass of Thanksgiving, with the school choir and musicians providing the musical accompaniment.
As the school hall could only accommodate a very limited number of parents and specially invited guests, the other parents and pupils were accommodated in the classrooms where they were able to watch the ceremony on close circuit t.v.
After Mass, speeches were made by School Principal, Philip Kyne, Carmel Kenny, Chairperson of the Board of Management, Sheila Fox for the Parents’ Association and Noel Grealish, T.D.
In his comments, School Principal, Philip Kyne said that it was indeed a day of pride and achievement for the local community. He was particularly proud of the fact that his own past pupil, Noel Grealish had performed the opening ceremony as the local T.D. He reminded the gathering that when he first came to Carnmore 30 years ago, the old school was in a sad state of delapidation and disrepair. Nowadays, it would have been condemned as a serious hazard to health and safety. He contrasted this with the present situation where Carnmore School is now a fine modern building with all the facilities and staff to provide a first-rate educational service for the children of the area.
In his address, Noel Grealish recalled amusing incidents from his own time in the old school. He congratulated the Board of Management, School Principal, Parents’ Association and the local community on the completion of their fine extension He was particularly impressed by the school band and the beautiful singing of the school choir.
Sheila Fox also spoke on behalf of the Parents’ Association. At the conclusion of the speeches, light refreshments were provided.
Copies of the school’s recently published Heritage Project were on sale at
