Great turnout as Athea school opens Remembrance Garden

THERE was definitely a mixture of emotions at Athea NS last week as the school opened its new Remembrance Garden in memory of two of its former pupils who passed away at an untimely age.

The garden was opened and blessed last Thursday, December 8, by Bishop Leahy, and it is an area that will be used by the kids for meditation and mindfulness.

The garden will be in memory of eight-year old Jeremiah Carmody, who lost his life in a road traffic accident ten years ago. The garden will also remember Ella Ahern who passed away from cancer at the age of seven.

“The garden has areas that are very, very close to the children’s hearts,” said school Principal Margaret Waters, speaking to The Kerryman on Tuesday.

The school was meanwhile delighted to welcome the grandparents of pupils to the school for what has become its now-annual ‘Grandparents Day’.

Margaret said this proved a “very lovely occasion” for those involved.

ABOVE: At the opening of the Remembrance Garden, coinciding with Grandparent’s Day in Athea National School on Thursday, were Angela Cafferty, Rita Collins, Liz Vaughan, Lilly Summers, Mary Woulfe, Stephen Tebbs, Loretta Brouder,

Photo by Brendan Gleeson Catriona and Theresa Ryan, Deirdre Fitzpatrick and Pat Ahern enjoying the wonderful community atmosphere at Athea National School on Thursday.

Photo by Brendan Gleeson LEFT: Linda and Fionn Hunt with Mary Moran at the opening of the Remembrance Garden and Grandparents’ Day at Athea National School on Thursday.