It was the perfect Spring morning. The sun shone and a light breeze swirled around the school yard. Pupils, teachers, parents, grandparents and members of the school community gathered to watch the tricolour being raised over the school for the first time.
Special guests on the day were Val Lenehan, Mayor of Charlestown, Fr Johnston, Chairperson of the Board of Management, Fr J Doherty, Michael Finn, Ballyhaunis (son of the late Commandant Patrick Finn, Carn), Gerry Murray MCC, Ciara Marren (cousin of the late Martin Murphy featured in a previous post below) , Mae Kelly, daughter in law of the late Patrick and Nora Kelly,Eileen O Brien representing her late father Thomas O Brien and Joe Mc Donnell (cousin of the late John Colleran) . Pat Collins , Cloonlyon NS Principal represented his late uncle Michael Collins of Charlestown.
After a brief welcome by school principal Pat Collins, the pupils read their proclamation for 2016, a rewording of the 1916 Proclamation for a modern age. As the tricolour was being raised a section of the school band played Amhran na bhFiann while pupils sang the National Anthem and Ireland's Call.
The school had a unique collection of medals given to people from the area who had taken part in the fight for Irish freedom. There were service medals presented to John Colleran, Michael Collins, Patrick Finn and Martin Murphy. Nora Kelly received a medal as a member of Cumann na mBan and a medal related to the 1966 celebrations. Martin Murphys second medal was presented to him as part of the GPO battalion during Easter Week 1916.
Thanks to all who helped make the day such a memorable occasion.
Special guests on the day were Val Lenehan, Mayor of Charlestown, Fr Johnston, Chairperson of the Board of Management, Fr J Doherty, Michael Finn, Ballyhaunis (son of the late Commandant Patrick Finn, Carn), Gerry Murray MCC, Ciara Marren (cousin of the late Martin Murphy featured in a previous post below) , Mae Kelly, daughter in law of the late Patrick and Nora Kelly,Eileen O Brien representing her late father Thomas O Brien and Joe Mc Donnell (cousin of the late John Colleran) . Pat Collins , Cloonlyon NS Principal represented his late uncle Michael Collins of Charlestown.
After a brief welcome by school principal Pat Collins, the pupils read their proclamation for 2016, a rewording of the 1916 Proclamation for a modern age. As the tricolour was being raised a section of the school band played Amhran na bhFiann while pupils sang the National Anthem and Ireland's Call.
The school had a unique collection of medals given to people from the area who had taken part in the fight for Irish freedom. There were service medals presented to John Colleran, Michael Collins, Patrick Finn and Martin Murphy. Nora Kelly received a medal as a member of Cumann na mBan and a medal related to the 1966 celebrations. Martin Murphys second medal was presented to him as part of the GPO battalion during Easter Week 1916.
Thanks to all who helped make the day such a memorable occasion.
