‘150 years in Education’ CBS dinner
COLAISTE Ris & CBS National School brought the culmination of their ‘150 years in Education’ celebration to a conclusion with a hugely elaborate dinner dance at the Carrickdale Hotel, where a huge crowd had gathered specially for the occasion.
I was only in the door when I got a word with Finbar O’Reilly who is the chairperson of the Parents Committee who told me this was the final event of the year that had seen concerts, football matches, masses and even the visit of our president Michael D. Higgins to the schools and they were delighted with the way the events had panned out.
I had admired the 150th anniversary book, a commemoration of the school from 1869 to 2019 which was available on the night. He told me he was there with his wife Barbara Smith and kids Eimear, Daire, Alex, Jenny Gwion and Sinead who had all been to the school.
After I spoke to Finbar I was walking around and managed to meet his daughter Eimear O’Reilly-Smith from Bay Estate who told me she had brought along her friend Dylan Coburn from Louth Village who were up for a great night, but were a little worried they’d be the youngest there!
Next I headed over for a chat with Emily and Frank Toner from Point Road who have Alex, Evan and Ben all in primary and were delighted to be there and looking forward to an interesting night.
I then ventured over for a chat Kevin Keelan from St. Marys Road and Ciaran Duffy from Mullaharlin Road who are both alumni of the school who told me they were looking forward to an excellent night with the Pipers and the Hayes too.
Heading fr another table I then had the pleasure of meeting up with Eilish Murphy from Castle Park, Elaine McParland from Carlingford and Eleanor McSkeas from Ath Lethan who informed me their kids Tiernan, Joshua, Noah, Jack and Ruby are all at the school and they were there for a bit of a GNO and really looking forward to the occasion.
After this I caught up with Nigel and Adrienne Caldwell from Manydown Close, Adrienne is of course school secretary and they were looking forward to an epic nigh with Pat and Mary O’Riordan also from The Close. Mary is and ex SNA in the school and all were looking forward to the occasion.
I then got a swift word with Cllr. John Sheridan who was with parents Hugh and Michelle Sheridan all from Dromiskin who told me that his mum is sister to former principal and out and out living legend Padraig Hamill whom I still hadn’t met on the night.
After this I had the pleasure of meeting up with current teachers Maria Doyle and Bar
Hugh, Maureen and John Sheridan.
bara Conroy both from Carrick Road who told me this was a lovely way of finishing off what was an excellent year to celebrate 150 years in the town.
Not too long later, I got a swift word with Catherine and Michael McCourt who was looking very well on the night and told me that kids Aoife, Christopher and Medbh had all gone through the school and wanted to congratulate the school on their 150th year celebrations.
Seated close by were Marga
ret and Jasper McDonnell from Headford, Paula and Tom Quinn from Dunmor, Brendan Rogers from Castle Road, Pat and Kitty McCann from Priorland Grove who are a mixture past pupils and ex teachers who were delighted to get a chance to get back together and see all those old familiar faces again.
Life and soul of the party? It took me ages to get a word with Samantha McKenna from Mountpleasant, she was surrounded by and chatting with everyone! Samantha was with husband David and told me Nathan, Kiah and Ali are at school and they just love it!
One lady who had travelled all the way from London specially to be there on the night was Cait McComish who had been a past pupil and was on the look out for all the old familiar faces. She was there with main man Joe Landy from London who had definitely taken one for the team, but was gonna make the best of the night anyway!
Finally, before I departed, I caught up with the man himself
Padraig Hamill who was with his delightful wife Jane both from Blackrock and he was having a laugh with Barbara Smith. We chatted for a couple of minutes, and as always when
I departed, the man had made me laugh enthusiastically and feel so positive about myself, easily the best part of my whole night – thanks Padraig, you’re a star!