PAST-PUPILS ATTEND TO MARK CENTENARY OF DLS IN DUNDALK
October 1999
ONE hundred years of the De La Salle Order in Dundalk is marked with a number of special celebrations. Past-pupils travel from all over to attend.
A special Mass is concelebrated in St Joseph’s Church, Fatima, followed by a centenary gala dinner in the Carrickdale Hotel.
Bishop Gerard Clifford gives this address at the dinner:
‘I take this opportunity to congratulate the De La Salle Brothers on their contribution to the community in Dundalk.
‘One hundred years ago two Brothers came to town. Education was a very limited resource at that time.
‘From small beginnings the Brothers have seen the seed of education grow and spread so that today the influence of the De La Salle schools is felt not just here but worldwide.
‘ The roll of honour is very impressive. Past-pupils of De La Salle schools have excelled themselves in the academic world, in business and education, in finance and in the Church.
‘Over the years the Brothers have sown the seeds of many vocations and tonight you can proudly boast of the priests and brothers who have been formed here in Dundalk.
‘I want to extend a particular welcome to Fr. Devine, better known to you as Bro. Norbert who served as principal from 1972 to 1980.
‘We congratulate him on his ordination to the priesthood and wish him many happy years as a priest of the diocese of Meath.
‘ The great boast is what the Brothers have done for Dundalk and in a particular way for the lower end of the town. You have given an identity and pride to Dundalk and we thank you for that.
‘ Today, the De La Salle schools can proudly boast that they have given educated young men to the wider world, competent, capable and ready to take their place in society.
‘ The Brothers have done that with a generosity that is typical of the followers of their founder John Baptist de la Salle.
‘We should never underestimate the sacrifices involved, real sacrifices for the Brothers, for their teachers and for the parents who generation after generation made sure that only the best was good enough for Dundalk.
‘My own association with the Brothers here goes back some 30 years when I was Diocesan Adviser for Religion.
‘It was always a joy to visit the De La Salle schools, I was always impressed by the standards set by the staff at primary and post-primary level.
Guests also hear from past-pupil and businessman Martin Naughton.
He says he owes a debt of gratitude to the Order, and notes education is one of the main keys of the country’s success.
‘I believe we can all look forward to the new millennium with a great degree of confidence.’
Another former student, George Moore, chief executive of Beleek Industries, recalls his first day at the ‘Big Boys’ School’.
‘As the DLS enters into its second one hundred years in Dundalk, I would hope that it can keep up the track record of education that I received in the 60s.
‘I owe a debt of gratitude for the education I received from the De La Salle Brothers in Dundalk.’