Donacarney Boyswelcome Mairead McGuinness
Mairead McGuinness visited Donacarney boys’ school last week.
Commuting to the European Parliament every week from her Ardee home, Mairead balances her constituency work as an MEP alongside her Vice-Presidency of that Parliament. But she was delighted to take time out to encourage the boys work with the Blue Star Programme.
The programme supports the whole school learning about the European Union and of the history, politics, and culture of its nations. And this was Mairead’s second visit to the Donacarney school as she previously presented the Blue Star Flag to the school in 2012.
The school’s principal, Ms. Cepta Burke welcomed Ms McGuinness to the class telling them of her varied career from graduating from UCD with a degree in Agricultural Science, to her work as a TV presenter and newspaper journalist. She said that Mairead’s interest in politics and in agriculture led her election as MEP in 2004.
Accompanied by local lady, Emir Smith-Duff, both women were delighted to meet the pupils of Ms Orla Carragher and Mr Arthur’s classes to discuss their projects on the European Union. They also viewed a presentation of the work of the whole school before examining the wonderful 3D representations of Roman buildings by Fifth Class.
Mairead spoke passionately about her work with the Parliament and the challenges the EU faced. She emphasized the need for solidarity among the European nations and of keeping sight of its core purpose: to maintain peace between its nations and peace in the world.
She also spoke about the EU flag which she had presented to the school in 2012 and stated that the twelve stars represent unity, harmony, and solidarity of the European people.
Co-ordinator of the school’s Blue Flag programme, Ms Orla Carragher thanked Ms McGuinness for her visit and accepted gifts on behalf of the school.
With that the busy politician was whisked away to another plane flight to Brussels, more meetings, more challenges. But she left some very inspired boys, very encouraged teachers, and a European Union flag flying proudly in her wake.