presentation college athenry board of management

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N� Raifeartaigh J.

• Board of Management of Presentation College Athenry v Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills & ors High Court of Ireland Jul 26, 2017
• Full Judgment
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Board of Management of Presentation College Athenry v Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills & ors

Legal issue:.

Whether the appeals committee, established under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, was entitled to consider the circumstances surrounding a child's enrollment in a feeder primary school when making a decision to allow the child's appeal for enrollment in a secondary school, despite the child not being selected through the school's enrollment policy.

The case involves an appeal by Presentation College Athenry challenging a decision made by an appeals committee appointed by the Department of Education. The committee allowed an appeal on behalf of a child named C.I. from a decision of the school's board of management refusing to enroll him in the school. The primary issue in the case is whether the committee was entitled to consider the fact that C.I.'s parents had moved him to a specific primary feeder school based on discussions with the former principal of the secondary school in question. The committee recommended that C.I. be offered a place in the school despite not being selected through the school's enrollment policy.

Rule of Law:

Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 provides that a parent may appeal a school's decision to refuse enrollment to the Department of Education. The appeals committee has the jurisdiction to conduct a full hearing on an appeal and is not limited to a review of the school's decision-making process.

Court's Analysis:

The High Court granted leave for judicial review proceedings and considered the arguments put forth by both parties. The Court found that the appeals committee's decision to recommend C.I.'s enrollment in the school was irrational as it did not align with the school's enrollment policy. The Court also noted that the committee's consideration of "legacy issues" and the circumstances surrounding C.I.'s enrollment in a feeder school were not in line with the school's enrollment policy.

Conclusion:

The High Court granted the relief of certiorari sought by Presentation College Athenry and remitted the matter for a fresh consideration by a newly constituted committee. The Court's decision emphasized the importance of adhering to the school's enrollment policy and ensuring that decisions regarding student enrollment are made in accordance with established procedures.

Significance:

This case serves as a reminder of the importance of following established enrollment policies in educational institutions and highlights the role of appeals committees in reviewing decisions related to student enrollment. It underscores the need for transparency and consistency in the enrollment process to ensure fair treatment of all students seeking admission to schools.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Justice Licence v1.0 .

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Presentation College Athenry – Secondary Education 1988 – 2008

• October 21, 2017

The Story of the Presentation Sisters, Scoil Chroi Naofa and Presentation College, Athenry (1908-2008)

Editor and Compiler: Gerald J. Ahern

The Principalship of Mr Gilbert McCarthy. 1st August, 1988 – 22nd February, 2004 Maths/Physics/Chemistry teacher 1969-1988

College life. In early 1988 Sister Anne Marie Codd announced that she would be resigning with effect from 1st August and that the position of Principal would be opened up to lay people for the first time. Encouraged by many people in the community and with declarations of support from many of the staff I decided to apply. Part of my role as Principal was to ensure that the good work started in 1908 by the Presentation Sisters would continue into the future. One of the first highlights of my tenure was to organise an appropriate function to celebrate “eighty years of Presentation Sisters presence in Athenry”. Archbishop Cassidy said Mass in the church and then blessed and officially opened our new computer room witnessed by a capacity crowd in the college’s assembly hall. The computers were funded by moneys left over from the Draw. Special guests included past pupils, one from every decade since 1908, each of whom was appropriately acknowledged on the night. Early on in my career as Principal we set about completing the development of the “Presentation College Pitch” in Caheroyn. It was well worth the investment as it has proven to be a valuable asset in the preparation and training of college teams down the years. In keeping abreast of new developments in education the practical subjects Technology and Construction Studies were introduced. There was some opposition to the proposal initially by those who claimed that practical subjects were not academic ones and so were inappropriate to a secondary school but commonsense finally prevailed. To provide for these subjects the “old school” (now known as the “Technology Block”) was refurbished and returned to use while prefabs were reintroduced to cater for increasing numbers. In the nineties in response to a request from some parents in the community a Resource Class was started to cater for children with special educational needs. This initiative proved extremely successful and became a model for other schools around the province thanks in no small way to the enthusiasm and commitment of the group’s teachers. Indoor and outdoor extra curricular activities were an integral part of school life with notable successes coming in Athletics, Basketball, Soccer, Feachtas, Tráth-na-gCeist, Science Olympiad, Rugby, Debating/Public Speaking, Hurling and Football. The “Lark-in-the-Park” was an enjoyable open-air musical performance by the students heralding the end of the school year while the occasional fashion show helped to lighten the spirits on those long dark winter evenings. Auditioning for models from parents, staff and students was treated with due gravity!! The arrival of the Leaving Certificate results was a significant occasion in the school calendar. I witnessed many students leaving my office elated because they had just managed to get the required number of passes while students who, in my opinion, had obtained excellent top results would leave disappointed because they did not get the extra grade for which they had hoped. It was always a day of mixed emotion. Our perception of success is so subjective. From a Parents Council perspective the election of Mr Gerry Farrell (left) as President of the National Parents Council in1992 was a memory to be cherished. A number of parents and I drove to Tralee to join in the celebrations. It was a proud moment for the college and an honour richly deserved by a man who for many years had given so unselfishly of himself to the cause. My wife, Pauline, deserves a mention at this stage. As well as being an accomplished teacher she was my mentor and my consoler in troubled times but above all she was the soul of discretion. I would like to express my thanks to the Presentation Sisters for the opportunities they afforded me to develop my career and for their years of service to the people of Athenry and its environs. May they have continued success on the road ahead. A word of thanks and appreciation to the staff who gave, and no doubt continue to give , so unselfishly of their talents and time to enable PCA to maintain its reputation as a foremost educational establishment in the second level sector. Thanks also to those who helped in any way with the schooling of my four children, all of whom have happy memories of their time in the college. Finally, to commemorate the coming of the new Millennium everyone in the school, on a selected day at an agreed time, committed their thoughts to a page. These pages were carefully bound in a  specially prepared book. The book was on display in the college during 2000, a new page being turned each day. The book is now carefully stored to be opened at some time in the future maybe  even at the start of the next Millennium. I feel my contribution on that occasion, a quotation from the poet Brendan Kennelly, provides an appropriate finish to my article: “Though we live in a world that dreams of ending that always seems about to give in something that will not acknowledge conclusion insists that we forever begin.” Moladh go deo le Dia.

Mr. Gilbert McCarthy became the First PCA Lay Principal in 1988 The position was advertised in the National Press.  Mr. McCarthy was born in Co. Kerry, educated at Presentation schools in Miltown, Co. Kerry and University College, Galway. His first teaching appointment was in 1969, in Presentation College, Athenry, teaching  Mathematics and Physics.

School Staff 1988/89

Mr. Gilbert McCarthy (Principal) Mr. Gerry Cloonan Miss Mary Keary Mrs. Mary Cresham Mrs. P. McCarthy Mr. M. Shaughnessy Miss T. Coyne Mr. Brendan Galvin Mrs. N. Cunney Mr. L. Glynn Mr. F. Burke Miss E. Morris Mr. G. Doherty Mr. W. Silke Mrs. M. O’Connell Mrs. D. Fahy Ms. M. Naughton-Jennings Ms. M. Byrne-McKeon Mrs. M. Kiggins Miss A. Geary Mrs. M. Gardner Mrs. M. Killalea Ms. N. Creedon Ms. B. Shaughnessy Miss D. Boyle Sr. Mary Caulfield Sr. Kathleen Collison Miss E. Durkin Miss F. Bane Mr. D. Coll Ms. J. Connellan Ms. P. Gleeson Sr. Leo Hackett

PCA Branch of Athenry Credit Union opened for Business

1988 Celebrations to Commemorate 80 years of  The Presentation Order in Athenry The festivities, organised by Mr. McCarthy and his Committee, took place on Friday, December 16th with a special Mass celebrated by Archbishop of Tuam, Dr. Joseph Cassidy, D.D. in the Church of the Assumption, Athenry. The Mass was attended by representatives of the many organisations in the PCA catchment area. Light refreshments were served afterwards in the College. To mark the 80 years of the Presentation Sisters’ presence in Athenry and as a tribute to the generosity of all who worked to clear all the building debts, the Sisters presented the College with a most up to date IBM Nimbus Computer system available for educational purposes.

Teachers, Mr. William Silke and Miss Teresa Coyne with Students in the Computer Room

Later, Archbishop Cassidy officially opened the new PCA Computer Room

L-R: Ronan Caulfield, Niall Brody, John Paul Moran, Monsignor Michael Mooney P.P., Athenry, Liam Hoyne, Michael Walsh, Sr. Maura Twohig, (Chairperson of the Board of Management), Archbishop Joseph Cassidy, Gilbert McCarthy (Principal). Photo: Connacht Tribune

December 1988-PCA qualified for the ICL Management Finals

Front: Martin Freaney, Joseph Greally, Cormac Reidy, Gerard Higgins, Liam Staunton, Brian Hardiman. Back: Tony Commins, Mary Forde, Lorraine Donoghue, Ann Monahan, Gilbert McCarthy (Principal), Hilary O’Shea, Tara Curran, Deirdre Greally.

Reflections on a PCA education from Cathal Rabbitte, now living in India

Mrs Fahy organised the debating teams. She would come up with really interesting material on poetry and I always used to wonder where it came from.

Going to school in Athenry was a priceless foundation for what followed. Here in India school facilities are appalling and most children drop out long before Leaving Cert. Even the wealthy miss out on the type of rich, local education we got.

The confidence an Irish education gives people is something I really value when I talk to people here. I also liked the dose of mórtas cine that we got. Pride in where you come from is so important. I spend some of my time encouraging Indian students to believe in their abilities and not be afraid of their exams. I tell them it doesn’t matter where you are from or what your surname is (unless of course it’s senior inter-county hurling).

In secondary school I had the opportunity to learn three languages other than English. I remember snippets of information from Mrs O’Connell such as when she told us that ‘to realise’ is ‘se rendre compte’ in French, not ‘realiser’.

Learning about Germany and France with her and Ms. Connellan was like opening up a whole new world. One of the key things I learnt early on was the importance of not translating directly- e.g. to translate ‘get up’ involves more than translating’get’ and ‘up’ into French individually. Learning the slang in a foreign language, and then using it, is magic.

I remember reading poetry from the 1940s about Connemara people by Máirtin O Direáin It could equally apply in 2008 to migrants from Uttar Pradesh who come to Bombay in search of work.

I used to wonder how Irish history could have been so miserable and now read in the papers here that India considers Afghanistan as part of its sphere of influence- just as England must have regarded Ireland. I remember reading a poem by Aogán O Rathaille about being miserable in Kerry sometime during the penal laws, and he could have been a Palestinian refugee in Gaza of today. In many countries, too many people waste their school years dealing with unmotivated and poorly paid teachers and outdated curricula. Going to school in Athenry was very different. Many teachers introduced us to fields such as poetry, music, sport, food, theatre, crafts and languages, real ‘mol an óige’ stuff. With an education, there is never any time to be bored.

1988 Students 

Front : Helen Cloonan. Standing : Peggy Hanley, Noreen Larkin, Rose Mary Mulkerrins

I was down in Wexford a few years ago talking to a cousin of mine who teaches there and she was saying that very few kids from that county go on to third level.

It’s the same thing in the Gros de Vaud near Lake Geneva in Switzerland where my wife comes from. I’m glad I went to school in Athenry. Now with a young family it’s my turn – molfaimid an óige agus ar aghaidh linn.

1988/89 PCA Musical- South Pacific

1989 First Ladies Soccer Team.

Back, l-r: Ann Grealish, Carmel Allen, Teresa Mannion, Nicola Burke, Yvonne Mulvey, Michelle Walsh, Sinéad Madden and Tina Dolan. Front, l-r: Christina Flannery, Caitríona Lawless, Martina Cooley, Orla Lawless, Mary Morton, Aoife Cannon, Doreen Brett.

Under 14 Soccer 1989

Front, l-r: Darren Murphy, Paul McNamara, Fergus Hanley, Mícheál Donoghue, Gareth Kelly, Aidan Doherty. Standing, l-r: Fergal Lyons, Martin Conroy, Ronan Mulvey, Gary Flannery, Pádraic O’Dea, Shane Cannon, Seán Noone, Hugh Bowman, Eamonn Heaney, Pat Kilkelly.

1989 Gaisce Awards

Front, l-r: Deirdre O’Dea, Frank Fahy T.D., Sr. Colette Dwyer, Orla Doherty and Annette Curran. Back, l-r: Ruth Murphy, Judy Whelan, Anne Murray, Gilbert McCarthy (Principal), Assumpta Freeney, Carmel Cooley, Cepta Cahill and Louise Caulfield.

1989 Leaving Cert Graduation Class

Aspects of School life 1989/90

Athletic Club

Earthwatch Club

Junior Camogie Connacht Finalists

European Tour Group Nov. 1989

Debating/Public Speaking teams

U-15 Connacht Rugby Champions 1989

Cookery Competition Winners 1990

Drama Prizewinners Athenry Festival

PCA All Ireland Colleges Senior Hurling ‘B’ Finalists 1990

1989 Cast of Fiddler on the Roof

1989 Connacht Colleges Juvenile Hurling B Champions

Front, l-r: Kieran Brett, Augustine Haverty, Gareth Kelly, Brian Hanley, Vincent Burke, Adrian Lawless, Kevin John Gilligan, Mícheál Donoghue, Declan Finn. Back, l-r: Damien Hardiman, Seán Noone, Ronan Kilcommons, Kevin Coughlan, Gary Flannery, Francis Noone, Michael Crimmins, Paul Gilligan, Damien O’Brien, Eamonn Heaney, Paul McNamara and Gerry Cloonan (Trainer).

1989 PCA Debating Team won Bank of Ireland Perpetual Trophy

Source: Connacht Tribune 13th April 1990

1989 Senior Girls Basket Ball

L-r: Sandra Kirwin, Ann McCarthy, Marie McNamara, C. Delane, Claire Dempsey, Neasa Glynn, Stephanie Duane

1990-PCA Team in the ‘First National Brainbusters Quiz’

Front, l-r: Thomas Forde, Caroline Feeney and John Dempsey. Back, l-r: Mr. Gerry Cloonan, Andrew Keary, Peter Cloonan, Mr. Gerry Doherty and Mr. Justin Trapp.

1990-Elaine Kiggins wins Scholarship to Germany Graduation 1990

Graduation 1990

Front, l-r: Sinéad Madden, Caroline Rooney,  Rosaleen Clarke, Ashla Ward. Back, l-r: PatricaHarte Grace O’Brien, Amy O’Connor.

School Years 1985-1990-Reflections of Mairead Seery

I started secondary school in Presentation College in September 1985, a few weeks after my family moved to Athenry from Kells. In the midst of many new aspects to my life at that time, my memories of my first day in school stand out. Over 100 pupils started in first year that year. After spending my primary years in an all-girls school, not to mention being the eldest of a family of four girls, being in a mixed school was extraordinary. I remember sitting in a classroom called MacDara somewhere near the art room and the language lab. From second year on I remember spending most of my time in a classroom called Feora, upstairs on the back corridor, overlooking the embankment behind the school. The year I started school a new principal also started, Sr. Anne-Marie Codd, an elegant and graceful woman. .

Sr. Kevin’s Amazement I was taught by some of the Presentation sisters in the earlier years in the school. By the time I was finishing school, there were no sisters teaching, as I recall. I remember Sr. Mary’s energy and exasperation while teaching us Home Economics, Sr. Eugenia’s gentleness when she stood in for absent teachers and Sr. Kevin’s sensitivity for le mot juste in English and her amazement that most pupils did not know the workings of English grammar! Other lay teachers also stood out: Mr. Shaughnessy for Geography until Intermediate Certificate (now the Junior Certificate), Ms. Byrne-McKeon for Biology and Chemistry and Mr. Cloonan for Irish.

Good Advice After the Inter Cert, we had to choose subjects we would carry on until Leaving Certificate. I was keen to pursue Science at the time and wanted to do both Biology and Chemistry along with German. Because of timetable constraints with this particular combination, I decided to drop French and do German privately outside of school hours. In the early weeks of fourth year, I was studying on a bench in the assembly hall during one of those free periods when everyone else was doing French when Mrs. Kiggins, my French teacher to Inter Cert, walked by and said, ‘you know, you should really keep up French’. Good advice indeed, which I took and subsequently went on to do a BA in French, lived in France for a number of years, got a job as a French lecturer in Athlone Institute of Technology, recently graduated with a Ph.D. in French and married a Frenchman !

Debating and South Pacific I was also involved in debating and was coached in that by Mrs. Kiggins, Ms. Creedon and Ms. Byrne-McKeon during lunch-breaks. One topic we debated in class for the purposes of practice was the National Lottery, which must have started around that time, nearly twenty years ago now. I also recall diaspóireacht as Gaeilge on the Single European Act which was looming. Taking part in these debates fostered our interest in current affairs, trained us to defend an argument, inculcated a sense of justice and gave invaluable experience in public speaking. The highlight of my school career was the musical. In 1989, our year put on South Pacific and I had the lead female role. We spent long hours during and after school rehearsing with Mr. Doherty (stage director) and Ms. Gleeson (musical director). My memories of that time are of excitement, energy, camaraderie and hilarity.

1990 All Ireland Winners of Feachtas-Tráth na gCeist Bord

L-r: Mr. Gilbert McCarthy, Principal, Peter Cloonan, Cathal Rabbitte, Caroline Feeney, Gerard Flaherty and Mr. Gerry Cloonan, Vice-Principal

Leaving Cert Class of 1990

School Staff 1990/1991

PCA Board of Management

First impressions of PCA from Michelle Heneghan, Form 3, 1990 On the morning of my first day at secondary school, I felt very excited as I looked in the mirror at smart grey and maroon uniform. I stood motionless, dreaming about my new school, until my mother interrupted my thoughts by reminding me that it was time for breakfast. I felt a tinkle of nervousness as I bade farewell to my family and set off for the bus.

As the bus was approaching, I felt awkward and apprehensive but however, as soon as I entered the bus, I was greeted by some old friends. We chatted all the way and arrived in Athenry at 9am. On entry to the school, we were directed to the assembly Hall where Mr. McCarthy deliberated on the school rules as well as introducing us to out new teachers.

My first class was Maths with Mr. Burke, which was so simple I was ready to snooze. However, I was quickly awakened by Sr. Mary-a gentle nun who had immediate control of the class. French followed with the sparkling Mrs. Fahy, which led to our next class with Mr. Coll-who seemed rather stern at first but mellowed as the class progressed. My final class was with a stately, bespectacled gentleman called Mr. Galvin. Alas, it was homeward bound to be greeted by my brother Adrian and my Yorkshire terrier, Toto.

The school seemed huge with lots of classrooms, nooks and crannies compared to my former 3-roomed rural school in Coldwood. However, I look forward to the challenge that this school presents and I’m hoping to enjoy every second of it. Source: ‘Hot Prezz’ PCA magazine.

Farewell to School Secretary (1979-1990), Della Horan (Jennings) 1990

Aspects of School life 1990/91

Presentation to Eanna Ryan Benefit Fund Debating Club

L-r: Frank Burke, Michael Warde, Michael Earls, Gerry Cloonan, Luke Glynn, Brendan Galvin

Question Time

Exchange of Cultures

Junior Slogadh

Senior Slogadh

Second Years in European Quiz

Project Secretarial Class

1991 Hurlers

Front, l-r: Seán Noone, John Scully, Enda Morrissey, Declan Finn, Brian Hanley, Frank Noone and Séamus Larkin. Back, l-r: John Burke, Mark Dillon, Augustine Haverty, Liam Connell, Liam Browne, Martin Conroy, Emmanuel O’Dea and Kevin Coughlan.

Classes of 1990/91

Second Years Inter Certs

Fourth Years Leaving Certs

Leaving Certs Leaving Certs

PCA Teams on the Sports Fields and Courts

Senior Basketball Juvenile Hurlers

Senior Camogie Junior Basketball

Girls Soccer Team Rugby Team

Junior Camogie First Year Hurlers

The Assembly Area at Presentation College Athenry by  Maura Kiggins

The heart of Presentation College has always been the Assembly Area. It is a focal point, a centre in every sense. Here, all aspects of school life converge, intersect, come together. During the school day it pulsates with the sound of students and teachers on their way to and from class.

Early morning arrivals take refuge there, revising, chatting, exchanging gossip, finishing homework, preparing for class tests. It embraces on arrival, sustains during the day (a chance of a breather between classes) and bids farewell each evening when the school day ends.

It is alive with activity, taking its energy from all who use it. It opens up and welcomes, stretching out its arms to embrace classrooms, science laboratories, home economics rooms, the language laboratory and resource room. It allows access to the principal’s and deputy principal’s offices, the staff room, counsellors’ offices and the administration area. It shows the way outside to pre-fabricated classrooms, the sports centre and canteen, as well as the ‘Old School’ and the facilities there. It is the compass, the guide – all activities emanate from there.

The Assembly Area hosts Open Night when prospective students and their families get their first sight of the school interior. Here, first steps are taken on a five or six year journey from First Year to Leaving Certificate results day. It accommodates the opening School Year Mass, First Friday Masses, Transition Year Masses and celebrations, and the End of year Masses. Sporting victories and achievements are celebrated, guests welcomed, farewells said. Year group meetings are attended, options chosen, concerts and recitals enjoyed. Each year, awards days and achievements day take place. It hosts parent teacher meetings, careers exhibitions, fashion shows and house exams.

It can vibrate with energy, yet on other occasions be solemn and dignified. It can absorb that energy, revel in it and reflect it, yet it can be pensive, solemn and prayerful as the occasion demands. It hosts Mass and presentation of certificates on Graduation Night, when each year, Leaving Certificate students come together with their teachers and families to celebrate, each year in its own unique way, the end of Secondary School education. It sustains everyone during public exams, maintaining a silence and dignity in its stability and constancy.

During the day, schoolbags are abandoned, piled high during recreation times, friendships are made and lost here, and some students have met their life partners here. It is a refuge for those feeling unwell. Mini Companies use it to sell their products and charities are supported on flag days. It accommodated a TV set and at one time, a pool table.

The Assembly Area will always be remembered – the Mora Duit banner, Halla Gregory, the photographs proudly recoding past achievements, the notice boards, the statue of Our Lady, the crucifix, the sacred space.

From the early days when Sr. Bríd Brennan stood outside her office supervising the change of classes to the present day, little has changed. Students, teachers and staff, past and present, each have their own memories. A special part of their lives is written in its history, its walls, its atmosphere, its very being. It is P.C.A.

Connacht Colleges Senior Hurling (B) Champions

The Team defeated St. Jarlaths, Tuam in Tuam Stadium by 3-11 to 0-4

1991 Connacht Colleges Juvenile Hurling ‘A’ Champions

 Back, l-r: John Feeney, Adrian O’Shea, Pádraig O’Dea, Liam Hoyne, Hugh Nolan, Emmet Caulfield, Barry Connaire, Justin Gleeson, Paul Kilkenny, Seán Burke, David Howley, Michael Brady, Thomas Fallon. Front, l-r: Peter Monaghan, Niall Brody, Seán Flannery, Ollie Staunton, Brian Cloonan, Paul Mannion (Captain), Adrian Lawless, Alan Jordan, Brian Cooley, Michael Walsh.

1991 PCA Musical ‘Annie get Your Gun’

The Cast relaxing behind the scenes

European Tour 1991

Liam Browne, Shane Cannon, Liam Connell, Martin Coyne, Mark Dillon, Mícheál Donoghue, Neasa Fallon, Derek Farrell, Fiona Farrell, Siobhán Farrell, Brian Hanley, Damien Hardiman, Amanda Haynes, Aishling Keane, Shirley Keane, Tanya Keating, Adrian Lawless, Fergal Lyons, Adrian Martyn, Brian Matthews, Tanya McKenna, Enda Morrissey, Frank Noone, Seán Noone, Pádraic O’Dea, Aileen Rabbitte, Madeleine Roache, Mary Sice, Oliver Staunton, Caroline Walsh, Ciara Ward. Teachers: Frances Bane, Deirdre Boyle, Teresa Gardiner, Dom Coll (Organiser).

1991 Leaving Cert Graduation

Mr. Brendan Galvin with Junior Certs in May 1991

1991 Retirements and Farewells

Mr. Gilbert McCarthy presents Mr. Brendan Galvin with a gift on his retirement Eileen Morris looks on.

Sr. Kevin receives her gift from Mrs.Kiggins Sr. Eugenia receives her gift from Mrs Cresham Photos: Mary Keary

Aspects of School life 1992

L-r: Maureen Byrne McKeown, Sinéad Hanley, Aileen Rabbitte, Louise McNamara, Aoife Gleeson, Maeve Seery, Gerard Flaherty, Amanda Haynes, Nuala Creedon.

Debating and Public Speaking

L-r: Leonard O’Neill, Niamh Harty, Sinéad Glynn,  Louise McNamara, Emmanuel O’Dea, Maeve Seery, Aoife Gleeson, John Feeney

Gerard Flaherty, Highest Grades Ever Achieved in the Intermediate Cert German Scholarship Winner 

Paul McNamara, International Athlete, All Ireland Schools Champion, Co. Galway, Athlete of the Year 

Ursula Burke, Siobhán O’Shaughnessy,  Alison Cummins, Denise McGlynn.

1992 Musical “Jesus Christ Superstar

Brendan McTiernan (Music Teacher),  James Larkin, Brian Corley, Adrian Monaghan  Siobhán Gilligan, Ann Matthews, Denise McGlynn,  Genevieve Gallagher, Andrew Keary, Stephen Walsh, Nicola Condon, Ursula Burke, Eamon Heaney, Colette Corbett.

All Ireland Feachtas Champions 1992

L-r: Gerry Cloonan, Gerard Flaherty, Gilbert McCarthy (principal), Elaine Kiggins, John Dempsey, Raymond Joyce and John O’Connor.

Mr. Gerry Farrell inaugurated as National President of C.S.P.A for 1992 Front, l-r: Mary Keane, Gerry Farrell and Elizabeth Farrell. Back, l-r: Gilbert McCarthy, Willie Hoyne and Paddy Lyons.

Leaving Certs of 1992

1993-Gerard Flaherty, Student of the Year. Young Scientist of the Year Competition Min. Brennan presents Michael Browne with his Award. His Teacher was Mrs. Jennings.

Some of the cast of the 1993 Musical ‘Grease’

Slogadh 1993

1993 Connacht Colleges Under 14 Girls Soccer ‘A’ Champions

Front, l-r: Orla McDonagh, Margaret Nohilly, Sarah Lawless, Pamela Rabbitte, Denise Gilligan (Captain), Jennifer Lane, Karen Burns, Ailish Rohan, Alexandra Christopher. Back, l-r: Christina Kelly, Carmel Corbett, Lesley Treacy, Martine, Somers, Sinéad Conroy, Joan Treacy, Colette King, Sandra Farrell, Deborah Moyles, Linda Cannon, Nicola Cooke, Elaine Divilly.

First Year Camogie ‘A’ Champions 1993 .

Front, l-r: Pamela Rabbitte, Orla McDonagh, Lorraine Callanan, Sandra Farrell, Orla Madden, Martina Coffey, Geraldine Finn. Standing, l-r: Nicola Murphy, Diane Burke, Catherine Hanley, Jennifer Poniard, Sarah Lawless, Jennifer Lane, Kay Ryan, Elaine Kelly, Deirdre King, Orla Waters.

1993 Leaving Cert Class

1993 Parents’ Council L-r: Greg Browne, Pat Rabbitte, Rita Fallon, Julie Barrett and Willie Hoyne.

1993/1994 First Years

Front, l-r: K. Higgins, C. Loughnane, D. Brady, P. Thompson and B. Newell. Middle, l-r: R. Barrett, N. O’Keefe, C. Cronnelly, L. Browne, C. Healy, O. Finn, T. Keane, N. Kelly, S. Burke and L. O’Brien. Back, l-r: A. Fergus, N. Duane, M. Hession, B. Kelly, O. Hynes, A. Dillon, J. Browne and R. Watts.

Back Row: C. Kelly, H. O’Grady, M. Barrett, N. Hoyne, A. O’Neill, D. Monaghan C. Coffey, K. Flynn Middle Row: H. Greaney, E. Molloy, C. Mannion, A. Morris, S. Murphy, M. Moran, A. Hanley, R. Boyle, S. Kinneen, Front Row: E. Caffrey, D. Miller, N. Kilkenny, A. Prior, A. Deehan.

Front, l-r: S. Higgins, M. Burke, M. Brady, M. O’Regan, C. Brady and P. Martyn. Middle, l-r: S. Rabbitte, D. Gill, W. Tully, K. Gilligan, A. Kinneen, S. Collins, L. Ward and S. Reidy. Back, l-r: L. Cummins, C. Ruane, A. Coll, A. Coffey, C. Duane, S. O’Brien, E. Vaughan, E. McDonnell and E. Murphy.

Back Row: L. Duane, E. Kelly, D. Daly, A. Ward, S. O’Donnell, L. Ryan, M. Keary, T. Moran, A. Fallon Middle Row: D. Casserly, O. Loughnane, A. O’Shaughnessy, T. Walshe, S. Ryan, M. Burke, D. Lynskey, D. O’Shaughnessy, J.P. Rabbitte, R. Duane, S. Donohue Front Row: P. Quinn, M. Moyles, M. Coffey, P. Shaughnessy, F. Foran, D. Keary, S. Atkinson.

1993/1994 Fourth Years M. Somers, S. Kennedy

4th Year Back Row: S. Kinneen, D. Reidy, M. Heneghan, L. Corban, L. Glynn, E. Higgins, K. Kilkenny. Middle Row: T. Flaherty, M. Minnock, M. Halloran, S. Spellman, C. Cahill, R. Farrell, T. Holland, F. Hardiman, C. Biard. Front Row: N. Furey, E. Ruane, M. Caulfield, C. Coffey, E. Callanan.

4th Year Back: M. Kelly, M. Cannon, V. Murphy, A. Burke, D. Cummins, E. Coyne, D. Christopher, F. Varden, C. McNamara Middle: B. Barrett, T. Forde, J. Loughnane, G. Goonan, K. Lyons, A. Ryan, S. Duane, R. Melia. Front: M. Browne, M. Rabbitte, S. Keary, I. Noone, P. O’Grady.

1992-1997 PCA Quiz Teams and Gerry’s Red Jetta  by Aisling Kelly

“The Fields of Athenry” have always been synonymous with their pursuit of excellence on the playing field, and the case was no different when it came to the equally competitive world of quiz! Presentation College Athenry had a great tradition in quiz at local and national levels, having won four All-Ireland titles before my time, namely the Junior Pioneer Quiz in 1988, the Feachtas (movement for the promotion of the Irish language quizzes) in 1990, 1992 and 1994. Call to arms My first ‘call to arms’ came as a second year in 1994 when Mr. Gerry Cloonan approached me one day as I made my way across the Assembly Hall and told me (as opposed to asking me) that I had been picked to represent Presentation College alongside Kevin McCarthy and Kieran Corban on the Under 14 Athenry Community Games Parish quiz team. Mr. Cloonan was not a man to be argued with, and I was told to present myself, the following day at 1.30 p.m. during lunch, in Cill Aodáin, a room to the front of the school and training began in earnest. We won a toughly contested County Final, winning the honour to represent the county in the national finals in Mosney, Co. Meath. Unfortunately, the competition was very stiff and we didn’t place, but from that moment I, for one, was well and truly hooked! Leathuair tar éis a haon The following year, 1995, Niamh Casserly, Toberoe and I were chosen as the junior member of a quiz quartet to include Leaving Cert students, Alan Burke, Ballyboggan and Liam Rabbitt, Grange. Training began again, but this time we upped the ante. We had practice very day for a half an hour during lunch. If Gerry met us randomly on the corridor during the school day he would just nod at us and say “leathuair tar éis a haon” and we would know what he meant. As sure as night follows day, Gerry uttered those same words to me, Monday to Friday for the greatest part of my secondary school years! Furthermore, Friday and Saturday nights were generally spent travelling to any quizzes advertised in the Tuam Herald or Connacht Tribune. Gerry would pick us up in his trusty red Volkswagen Jetta and off we would go. I often felt sorry for poor Helen Cloonan because she must have felt like a quiz widow at the weekends. To add insult to injury if the quiz was anywhere in the Craughwell area, the team would land into Caherfourvaus after for the cup of tea and chat! The lunchtime training and weekend quizzes soon began to pay off handsomely though as after victories over St. Enda’s, Galway, Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew and St. Jarlath’s College, Tuam we overcame quiz king-pins of the school scene in Galway, St. Raphael’s, Loughrea to win the Galway Bay FM Brain Busters Quiz. The taste of victory was sweet, and later that year the same team came second in the Feachtas Irish Language Tráth Na gCeist National finals held in Galway City. Open auditions Alan Burke and Liam Rabbitt had at this stage completed the Leaving Cert and so came the business of finding replacement team members. Gerry held “open auditions” in one of the prefabs to the side of the school and the turn out was phenomenal. Interest in quiz within the school at this stage was at an all time high. There were no coaxing people to be part of a quiz team anymore! This, I believe, was because we had built up a bit of momentum and had brought a few accolades to the school. Michael O’Grady, Cormacoo and Alexandra Christopher, Cahercrin, classmates of Niamh and myself came out on top and so began another very exciting and fruitful chapter in Presentation College Athenry’s involvement and success in quiz at county, provincial and national level. Any tarts on the premises? In 1996, we were invited to partake in Blackboard Jungle, a nationwide televised quiz for second level schools made by RTE. Michael O’Grady, Niamh Casserly, Gerry Cloonan and I travelled up to Donnybrook and were put up in the very plush Mount Herbert Hotel in Ballsbridge after our opening victory against St. Aidan’s C.B.S., Whitehall. We always had great fun and craic on our jaunts representing P.C.A. around the county, province and indeed country but this occasion is one that Mike, Niamh, Gerry and I always seem to come back to when we are reminiscing. After a day spent at the RTE studios, Gerry decided that we would take the DART into the city centre and see some of the sights. It was a beautiful June evening (the quiz was filmed during the summer holidays from school), we took in Trinity College, the Custom House, and the Four Courts. Upon arriving back at the hotel we were tired and weary and had to wind down as the following day was to be an intensive day of filming again. Gerry decreed that we would have a cup of tea and something sweet before calling it a day. A very well heeled lady approached us and asked us could she help us. Gerry said we would have four cups of tea and wondered “were there any tarts on the premises”. The lady almost recoiled in horror at the sight of this man and four teenagers in school uniforms and replied with a very snooty, “Excuse me?” Thankfully, Mike O’Grady copped straight away about the colloquial differences between east and west and thoughtfully added, “we mean buns…do you have any buns?” Fire in our bellies One week before we sat our Leaving Cert in 1997, Mike, Niamh, Gerry, Alex, then Principal Gilbert McCarthy, teacher Dominic Coll and myself headed off to the RTE studios in Dublin again for the All Ireland Final of the Raidió na Gaeltachta quiz. On the way to the final we had defeated Coláiste Chroí Mhuire, An Spidéal 138 to 122; Rice College Westport (where I am now a teacher) 126 to 98; and Coláiste Cholm Chille, Indreabhán in the Connacht Final 126 to 100 marks. In the All Ireland Semi-Final, we out-pointed St. Eunans College, Letterkenny by 132 to 96. At this stage we had a great reputation nationwide as a solid and consistent quiz team, even though our opponents, the boys from Ard Scoil Rís in Limerick, didn’t share this view! When we walked into the studio the lads were having a little conflab and were quite unaware that their microphones were switched on. They were in agreement that they should have no problem with us as “there are two girls on the team”. I think Mike was actually more offended than Niamh and me but it was enough to rile us up anyhow and put fire in the bellies. We lived up to our favourite’s tag and defeated the Limerick boys on a score of 130 to 102 marks. The total available marks were 150 and the P.C.A. score reflected the high level of answering by the team, only missing five questions in all. One of the outstanding features of this victory was our answering of all our team questions correctly, a feat never before achieved in the final. As a result of the victory, the school won five thousand pounds worth of educational equipment, and Niamh Casserly represented the team by going on the Den with Ray Darcy and Dustin who was in fine form that day, if I remember correctly. The day, however, was bittersweet for Niamh, Mike, Gerry and me. While it was great to go out on the ultimate high of winning an All-Ireland title for the school and even more importantly for “Sir”, we realised that there would be no more “leathuair tar éis a haons” or trips in the red Jetta, here, there and everywhere, having the fun, the chips in Supermacs and obviously the all important quiz victory in the back-pocket. Moved on in life We went our separate paths after the Leaving Cert: Mike O’Grady is now a Doctor in UCHG, married to Gillian and the proud father of Rosie and Hazel. Niamh Casserly married another former classmate of ours, Ronan Coffey, and is now an Irish and French teacher in P.C.A. and heavily involved in coaching the quiz teams there! For my part I spent seven very happy years teaching Irish, History and Religious Education in Mount Sackville Secondary School in Dublin before taking up a post as Guidance Counsellor in Rice College, Westport in September 2008. I am engaged to be married to a Mayo man, John McAlpine, next year. Without the tails in tow The last time Gerry, Niamh, Mike and I were together was at the specially organised retirement function for him in the Raheen Woods Hotel in January 2008. A great night was had by all, and Mike O’Grady paid a fitting tribute on our behalf to Gerry who spurred us on to such great success. It was great to see so many of the faces who had been involved with quiz teams in P.C.A. there on the night. I am very proud of my involvement with quiz teams in P.C.A. and am always delighted to read of the school’s subsequent victories down through the years. I have no doubt though that the school would not have enjoyed such success but for the dedication and involvement of Gerry Cloonan, and while his retirement is a loss to P.C.A. at least Helen has him back now without the tails in tow!

PCA Staff 1994

All-Ireland Slógadh Champions 1994 . Front: Daniel Gill, Wayne Tully, Laurence Ward, Christina Ruane, Allison Coffey, Sorcha Rabbitte, Michael Burke, Stephen Higgins, Donal Spellman.Back: Cormac Brady, Emma Murphy, Sarah O’Brien, Eve Vaughan, Michael O’Regan, Aislinn Coll, Sinéad Reidy, Denise Martin, Lena Cummins, Caroline Duane, Gilbert McCarthy (Principal),Adrian Kinneen.

1994 Junior Cert Classes

Front, l-r: D. Vaughan, P.Leader, D. Quinn, D. O’Shaughnessy, R. Gleeson. 2nd Row, l-r: S. Mulvey, T. O’Loughlin, P. Flannery, I. Hanley, A. Rohan, C. King, C. Morrissey, C. Haynes, C. Flannery. 3rd Row, l-r: B. Atkinson, A. Leader, L. Deehan, O. Quinn, M.A. Gannon, K. Crowe, E. Feeney, L. Foran. Back, l-r: B. Reidy, P. Flannery, B. Mannion, S. O’Donnell, K. Kilkenny, W. O’Connor, E. Ward, D. Fahy.

Front, l-r: Aidan Spellman, Glen Hynes, Paul Duane, Thomas Caulfield and Shane Hynes. 2nd Row, l-r: K.Finn, M. Monaghan, U. Hoyne, I. Forde, D. Cannon, D. Brody, C. Adams, M Greaney and L. Minnock. 3rd Row, l-r: A. Farrell, A, Joyce, J. O’Keefe, C. Clyne, J. Caulfield, C. Duffy and J O’Connor. Back, l-r: J. Fallon, B. Glynn, K. Burns, T. Curley, N. Crimmins, C. Mulkerrins, C. Farragher and F. Carey.

Front, l-r: S. Newell, A. Dolan, A. Glynn, E. O’Shaughnessy, J. Bane. 2nd Row: l-r: S. Kelly, S. Gardner, E. Seery, B. Delaney, H. McDonnell, D. O’Hehir. 3rd Row, l-r: D. Morrissey, K.Gill, R. Boyle, D. Joyce, M. Noone, L. Corbett, N. Martyn, P. King, M. O’Brien, M. Dempsey. Back, l-r: K. French, C. L. Ruane, M. Doherty, J. Doyle, L. Coffey, C. Shanahan, C. Keating.

Form 11 Back Row: P. Keating, P. Somers, I. Hanley, C. Madden, M. Cloonan, S. Freaney, R. Madden, B. Furey. Middle Row: P. Somers, L. Cannon, T. Flannery, N. Walshe, M. Higgins, D. Moylan, M. Ward, C. Connolly, P. Keane. Front Row: L. Rabbitte, M. Egan, P. McCarthy, K. Fallon, M. Keane.

1994-PCA Students on the Athenry and Clarinbridge Teams in County Minor Final

Diarmaid Burns Adrian Poniard Emmet. Caulfield Donal Keane

John Feeney David Howley Richard Brady Liam Hoyne

Alan Jordan Michael Heaney Justin Gleeson Rory Gleeson

1994 PCA Musical ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

Leaving Cert Class of 1994

Aspects of School life 1994/95

Feachtas All Ireland Winners L-r: Mr. Gerry Cloonan, Brian Martin, John Dempsey, Conor Clyne, Denis Joyce, Mr. Gilbert McCarthy.

Rehearsal of the Musical “Our Day Out” Ailish Rohan, Elaine Feeney, William O’Connor, ___________ Farrell, Pádraic Leader, ____________ Keane and Shane Mulvey

P CA Musical-Our Day Out

1995 Tour to London and Soccer Matches Transition Year 1995/96

L-r: Neil Burke, Aidan Holland, Pádraic  Fahy and Patrick O’Shaughnessy

Transition students filming their Irish project

1995 Connacht Colleges Junior Hurling A Champions

Gerry Cloonan making a presentation to John Feeney, Hurler of the Year 1995

Supermacs presents jerseys to PCA 1995

Galway Bay FM/ Supermacs Brainbusters Quiz Champions 1995. Aisling Kelly, Gerry Cloonan, Suzanne Ryan, (Supermacs), Liam Rabbitte, Alan Burke, Shane O’Donoghue (Galway Bay F.M./ Quizmaster).

A Friendly Atmosphere- Colm Cloonan (1990—1995)

I started at PCA in September 1990. A few weeks later I turned 13 and like all teenagers I thought I knew everything, and was probably ready to retire, as there was nothing more I could learn. Thankfully PCA taught me otherwise.

I remember my first day, my navy uniform on, into the car and Mum taking a photo of me on the way out the door. The day flew by, probably because like most first years, I spent the day getting lost. From that day on I had to make up a better excuse for being late. I haven’t found one that works yet! After that the days and months flew by, I made new friends and settled into life at PCA.

The school was well run, had great staff and a warm and friendly atmosphere, thanks to the Presentation Ethos that we all embraced. Many of the classes were very enjoyable; in fact I looked forward to most of them. The hard part was going home to study. However, it all paid off in the end.

There were some funny times too like the day a student ran to Raheen pitch instead of ‘Seomra Ráithín’ upstairs, when asked to collect documents for a teacher, or the day a pupil disagreed with the teacher’s claim that fossil fuels were finite and would not last forever. The pupil reckoned that this could be altered if we went ‘back in time’. One cold frosty morning we had our first class in one of the prefabs. Needless to say, it wasn’t the warmest place to start the day. However one of my classmates thought it would be better to open the windows to let some ‘warm’ air in!

There were some great days away from the school: Delphi adventure centre, orienteering, swimming, and various trips to hurling matches. Of course, any chance to get a few free classes was seized upon.

Leaving Cert year, despite the extra pressure of exams, was the most enjoyable year I had at school. Having matured and earned the respect of the teachers, I really began to appreciate the hard work they put in to help us better ourselves. It is a difficult demanding job and not one to be taken lightly. I am grateful to all the staff of Presentation College for a great education and for their caring attitude to us during my time there.

My days at PCA were some of the best days of my life. Of course, there were days when I wished I was somewhere else but overall I really enjoyed my five years there. At PCA I not only met some of my best friends but most importantly I was also lucky enough to meet my wife there. So I owe a lot to the school and I am genuinely proud to say I was a pupil there for a brief part of its distinguished history.

Staff 1995-96 Mr. Gilbert McCarthy,  Mr. Gerry Cloonan, Ms. Mary Keary Ms. Karen Corban,  Mrs. Pauline McCarthy Mr. Michael Shaughnessy, Mr. Frank Canny,  Mr. Luke Glynn, Mr. Frank Burke, Ms. Eileen Morris, Ms. Una O’Donoghue, Mr. William Silke, Mrs. Maire O’Connell, Mrs. Dymphna Fahy, Mrs. Mary Jennings, Mrs. Maura Kiggins,  Mrs. Ann Fahy, Mrs. Marie Gardner, Mrs. Marie Killilea,  Ms. Nuala Creedon, Mrs. Beatrice Shaughnessy, Mrs. Evelyn Concannon,  Sr. Kathleen Collison, Sr. Mary McDonagh, Mrs. M. Byrne McKeon,  Mr. Tony Regan, Ms. Anne Monaghan Ms. Frances Bane,  Mr. John Kenny Mrs. Teresa Gardiner, Ms. Mary Balfe, Mr. Adrian Fitzmaurice, Mr. Brendan McTiernan, Mr. Doimnic Coll,  Mrs. Marian Spellman, Sr. Leo, Sr. Teresa,  Mrs. Nuala Beirne, Ms. Patricia Nolan.

The School Plan, Debs Ball and Staff ‘Characters’-Bill Silke Changes continued apace in education, and in the mid-nineties, the Department introduced a new method of school inspection, called “Whole School Inspection”. The idea was that instead of an inspector coming down to examine a particular subject or teacher, the entire school milieu should be looked at. They required for this purpose that each school should draw up a “School Plan” which would present the school in its local and historical context, give a description of what was going on in the school and any problems the school might be encountering, and give proposals for future development. Gilbert asked me to look after this for the school-year 1995-1996 which was the first year this idea was mooted. I duly presented my Report, and in the following year (which was my final year in the school) embellished it further Another important event in the school year was the annual Debs Ball. These were always highly successful and enjoyable and I think PCA was unique in the manner in which they were organised. They always began with a special mass organised by the Leaving Cert year in the school assembly area, followed by a dinner and dance in a hotel, to which both parents and staff were free to attend. All of this contributed to an excellent atmosphere and I must say that I enjoyed them all thoroughly. We should never forget the important role played by staff member Nuala Creedon in their success. Before finishing this section, mention should be made of two staff members who often brought a smile to our faces on an otherwise dreary day. The first of those is the late Seán Gohery, God rest him, who had a very droll sense of humour. I can still remember one day when Máire O’Connell, (a language teacher) was on sabbatical in Germany, Sean was wondering aloud as to whether the language department meeting would be held that year in Berlin! Another member of staff with a great sense of humour was Frank Burke (who also had the honour of holding an All-Ireland senior hurling medal). To be sitting near either of those two at a staff meeting made it very difficult to keep a straight face due to the stream of sotto voce witty comments.

PCA on RTE’s Blackboard Jungle Team, l-r: Niamh Casserly, Michael O’Grady and Aisling Kelly

1995/96 Musical “Annie”

with Ronan Coffey and Elaine Divilly in the lead roles

1995-PCA Students at Young Scientists Exhibition

L-r: Michael O’Regan, Rose Barrett and John Browne.

Leaving Cert Class of 1995

Front: Linda Cannon, Jennifer Poniard, Colette Farragher, Sarah Lawless, Clare Mulkerrins, Caroline Flannery, Fionnuala Carey, Kay Ryan, Nicola Murphy. Back: Ailish Rohan, Sandra Molloy, Colleen Crowe, Orla McDonagh, Laura Deehan, Jennifer Lane, Sandra Farrell, Kelly Crowe, Martine Doherty, Karina Finn, Diane Burke.

1995 Transition Year memories from Martine Doherty It was 1995 and the pioneer Transition Year students began a great year in Presentation College. We were doing something totally different to the rest of our year who continued onto 4th year. The fact that we would have no exams at the end of year was the icing on the cake!

There were 25 of us in total, a big mix of friends, who in the year to come would have plenty of craic together in a great variety of subjects. We set up a mini catering company with the help of Ms. Concannon – five classes in a row on a Wednesday morning. We’d spend hours cooking up sausage rolls, pizzas, coconut buns and a few other treats for sale in the canteen during lunch. Christmas came and we decided to earn a little extra cash with our fabulous Christmas fruit cakes. Unfortunately, some one sabotaged our idea and turned off all the ovens in the home economics room during the slow cooking process! Come the end of the year, we had great trip to Ballymaloe house, where we met with the Darina Allen and stood in on part of one of her classes in the cookery school. We enjoyed typing, word processing, music appreciation, tourism studies, European studies and video making and editing with Mr Burke. The Sports with Mrs. Anne Fahy were great. The funniest episode of that class was when, during our final swimming class, we agreed between ourselves to throw her into the pool. Of course being sporty, she nearly got the better of us, but we got our way and in she went to the pool, fully clothed, folder, roll book and all! She wasn’t a happy teacher on the bus back from Clarenbridge to Athenry! We also went on a few days away to the Achill Island Adventure Centre. Learning to surf, one un-named person among us got hypothermia and thank God there was a life guard in the group who knew what to do! The orange survival bag definitely worked that day! Mrs O’Connell taught us European studies; we entered a drama competition in Galway and did ourselves proud, ending as runners up! We also did soccer training with the FAI, freezing ourselves many a Tuesday morning on the pitch down in Caheroyan. Mr. Fitzmaurice gave us an in-depth knowledge of woodwork and we came away with a letter holder each, which all of our mothers were so proud of. Mrs Kiggins was our year tutor and she kept us all in check. I’m sure it was a tough year for her! All in all it was a fun year, without the added stress of exams! It would be great to revisit for a week and see if things have changed at all.

Debating 1995/96 L-r: Dympna Fahy, Niamh Casserly, Aoife Healy, Aisling Kelly and Nuala Creedon

1996-PCA Students receive their B. Com. Degrees L-r: Catherine McCarthy, Gareth Kelly, Cathy Burke, Ollie Staunton, Siobhán O’Shaughnessy and Andrew Keary.

1997 All Ireland Tráth na gCeist Champions L-r: Aisling Kelly (PCA Student of the Year), Mr. Gilbert McCarthy, Niamh Casserly, Alexandra Christopher, Michael O’Grady, Seán Bán Breathnach and Mr. Gerry Cloonan.

Two Benches in the Assembly Hall by Margaret Nohilly 1992-1997. Listening to my sister talk on a daily basis, of all the different teachers she had, all the friends she had made and all the independence second level school had given her, I was really looking forward to getting there! Armed with a big bag of books and a good cohort of my classmates from Monivea N.S. the day came at last, when we were on the early morning bus to Athenry. Split up into five different forms, it was very reassuring that two of the Monivea girls were in the same form as me. In the weeks that followed our little group got bigger, as we befriended a few more like minded characters and before we knew it, we were occupying two benches in the Assembly area each break time and those benches were where we congregated daily until we had sat the final paper in the leaving cert. I think I worried more leaving secondary school about losing contact with my dearest friends than absolutely any other unknown that lay ahead. How fortunate I am, that those strong ties of friendship formed sitting on these benches still remain unsevered today. Sometimes the five years seem almost as one. Our year was heavily involved in Sport and whether it was Hurling, Football or Basketball we achieved well on all fronts. Fourth year was a blast, the highlight of course, the annual show. Our year rolled out ‘Annie’, where we saw some wonderful hidden talents emerge and naturally the leads in the show fell in love! ‘Tomorrow is only a day away!’ The school tour to London and Paris in Oct ’96 was a wonderful experience and most enjoyable. Personally, I was very fortunate with the teachers I had in Athenry, and I feel they really respected us and enjoyed us as a year group. There was a good balance between class, study and having a laugh as well. Mr Cloonan had a soft spot for our Irish class for the final two years and we were lucky to be taught by him. Personally Sr. Kathleen was another inspirational teacher. She had an extraordinary ability to get the best out of every single one of us and insisted that you strive for excellence. There was no one that did not work for her. That resulted not only from a little fear of her, but also from a healthy respect for her. Without naming everyone individually from Maths, to Home Economics we had lots of fun along the way. Twelve years on, whenever I drive to Athenry I smile as I think of the odd sneaky trip we took down town, the endless laughs we had, the friends we made and the education we received that has served us all so well into the future.

Classes of 1996/1997

1997 All Ireland Club Champions, St. Mary’s, bring the Tommy Moore Cup to PCA L-r: Gerry Cloonan, Frank Burke, Martin Collins, Brian Hanley, Gilbert McCarthy, Principal, Brian Feeney, Aidan Poniard, John Feeney and Luke Glynn

Graduation 1997. Back: Declan Tully, Kieran Concarr, Darren Quinn. Middle: Lesley Tracey, Nicola Cooke, Elaine Divilly, Francis Kilkelly. Front: Stephen Farrell, Margaret Nohilly.

Graduation 1997. Seated: Lorraine Callanan, Gary Madden, Ronan Kinneen. Standing: Kay Ryan, Sandra Farrell, Pamela Rabbitte, Jennifer Lane, Ann Keane, Brian Gilligan, Paula Cummins.

Leaving Certs of 1997

1998 All Ireland Champions-Tráth na gCeist ar Raidió na Gaeltachta C-d: Seosamh Ó Braonáin, Mícheál Ó Grádaigh, Dáibhí Ó Casarlaigh, Seán Seoighe, Gearóid Ó Cluanáin, Seán Bán Breathnach agus Pól Ó Gallchóir.

1998-Pat McDonagh, owner of Supermacs, visited and spoke to the LCVP Class

1998-PCA School Tour to Paris and the World Cup Trophy At Headquarters of the French Football Association with World Cup Trophy. Front, l-r: Therese Burke, Gillian Kenny, Janet Murray, Susan Concannon, Niamh Kelly, Anne Boyle, Emer Treacy, Aisling Murray and Siobhán McKenna.Back, l-r: Barry Kiggins, Marcel Klein, Ronan Corbett, Bryan Duddy, Joseph Cahill, John Culkin, Regina Furey, David Forde, Loretta Rabbitte, Patrick Browne, Sarah Ruane, Elaine Gullane, Caroline Hanley, Niamh Byrne, Niall O’Brien, Patricia Organ, Ciarán Cooke, Alan Fergus, Ailbhe Ward, Majella Conneely. Photo by Dominic Coll, Tour Organiser.

Senior Hurling 1998 Front, l-r: Neil Burke, Kieran Flannery, David Glynn, David Donohue, Shane Donohue, Dermot Carey, Kieran Corban. Back, l-r: David Casserley, Patrick Shaughnessy, Barry Newell, John Culkin, Kevin McCarthy, Eoin Hynes, Martin Coffey, Pádraig Fahy.

1998-2001 PCA Board of Management Front, l-r: Mary Newell, Gilbert McCarthy, (Inset) Dom Coll and Nuala Creedon. Back, l-r: Sr. Kathleen Hallinan (Chairperson), Alan Sture, Willie Hoyne and Sr. Leo Hackett.

Leaving Cert Class of 1998

Western Region Basketball Champions 1998 Cadet, Minor, and Junior (also all Ireland Junior Bronze Medal Winners Front, l-r: Rhona O’Brien, Yvonne Conaty, Sharon Treacy, Victoria Christopher, Sineád Browne, Stephanie Treacy, Catherine Rabbitte and Paula Furey. 2nd Row, l-r: Laura Martyn, Lydia Gurley, Aileen McNamara, Deirdre Foran, Darelle Coen, Eimear McNamara, Susan O’Shaughnessy, Siobhán Brannelly, Ann O’Grady, Aisling Cooke, Leoni Gardner, Yvonne O’Brien, Claire Corley, Helen Farrell and John Kenny (Teacher). 3rd Row, l-r: Dominic Coll (Teacher), Sandra O’Keefe, Regina Glynn, Niamh Walsh, Maria O’Donovan, Alma Grealish, Emer Rohan, Lyndsey Dillon and Sarah O’Regan. Back, l-r: Michelle Brannelly, Catherine O’Grady, Riona Burke, Aisling Conroy, Emer Gallagher, Michelle Tully, Brenda Cummins and Nuala Beirne (Teacher).

1997/98 Musical-The Wizard of Oz L-r: Aoife O’Brien, Edel Quinn, Philip Joyce, Niamh Kelly, Murray Huban, Austin Prior, Ronan Corbett, Michael O’Regan.

Classes of 1998/99 Back, l-r: Thomas Rohan, Stephen Rabbitte, Shane Gilhooley, Emma Burke-Breslin, Brian McGrath, Ronan Ward. Middle, l-r: Marie O’Neill, Karen Burke, Catherine Burke, Áine Trowell, Peter Connolly, Tara King, Orla Conlon, Emma Carey, Amy Coen, Laura Newell. Front, l-r: Gerard Greaney, Finnian Cloonan, Adrian Heneghan, Shane Christopher, Thomas Cresham, Alan Corbett, Seán Murphy, Enda Farrell, Owen O’Grady, Ivan Murphy.

Back, l-r: Carol Kennedy, Karen Lynskey, Fiona Page, Emma O’Connor, Seona Bane, Caroline Fahy, Niamh Lane, Krystle Ruddy. Middle, l-r: Jessica Greene, Louise Moran, Therese Maher, Linda Moyles, Ciara Donoghue, Sandra Daly, Michelle Moran, Emma Carr. Front, l-r: Ronan Finn, Thomas Niland, Shane Collins, Colm Reagan, Kenny McNamara, Steven Shaw, Brian Heffernan, David Furey.

Classes of 1998/99 Back, l-r: Lorraine Nugent, Amy Martyn, Deirdre Ryan, Joanne Geraghty, Edel Duffy, Emer Kelly, Margaret Lawless, Aideen O’Dowd, Anna Martyn. Middle, l-r: Marie McDonagh, Fiona Rabbitte, Caroline Treacy, Marie Gilhooley, Stephen Forde, David Healy, Francis Murtagh, Aoife O’Dowd, Catherine Cullen, Linda Duane, Jacqueline Conneely. Front, l-r: Paul Tobin, Jason Cotter, Keith McGrath, Even Walsh, Stephen Greaney, Shane Waldron, Robert Niland.

Athletics Team 1998/99

European Tour 1998

Pictured: Lisa Greaney, Tracy Hynes, Joanne Hynes, Clare Rabbitte, Helen Hynes, Aisling Holland, Michelle Fergus, Michelle Tully, Geraldine Cronnelly, Marion Spellman

Pictured: Dermot Greaney, Bryan Duddy, Brian Farrell, Damien Cahill, Barry McGrath, Marion Spellman.

Tomás Mannion won All Feachtas All Ireland Champions 1998  Ireland S.F.Medals 1998 & 2001

L-r: Gerry Cloonan, John Joyce, Michael O’Grady,  David Casserly, Neil Coffey, Gilbert McCarthy (Principal)

1999 Connacht Rugby Development Cup Champions Front, l-r: Martin Burke, Kieran Flannery, Martin King, Feilim Cloonan, Eoghan Quinn, Alan Fergus, Mark Gurley, Robert Blade, Christopher Fahy. Back, l-r: John Browne, Niall O’Brien, Brian O’Regan, John Culkin, David Forde, Michael O’Regan, Brian Duddy, David Divilly, Patrick Browne, Martin Paul Rabbitte, Shane Donoghue, Paul Thompson, Barry Kiggins, Adam Duffy and George Curley.

1999 All Ireland Champions-Tráth na gCeist ar Raidió na Gaeltachta C-d: Tomás Mac an Iomaire, Eoin Ó Riain, Seán Seoighe, Niall Ó Cofaigh, Gearóid Ó Cluanáin, Eileen Dunne agus Seán Ban Breathnach.

The Leaving Cert Class of 1999

1999 Student of the Year, Patrick Browne with Mr. Gilbert McCarthy (Principal)

John Browne, Award winner from John Browne, Irish Gold Medallist and The Computer Ed. Society of Ireland European Bronze medallist in Biology

1999-Re-union of the Leaving Cert Class of 1974

Western Region Minor ‘B’ Basketball Champions 2000 Front, l-r: Fiona Gilligan, Aoife O’Grady, Andrea Hannon, Deirdre Grady, Emma Ryan, Orla Duffy. Standing, l-r: Dom Coll, Rachel Walshe, Rosita Commins, Caroline Fahy, Therese Hession, Claire O’Hara, Sandra Dillon, John Kenny.

Graduation 2000

Aisling Holland, Geraldine Cronnelly,Aileen McNamara, Áine Heaney, Lisa Greaney, Tracey Hynes, Killian Morris

June 2000-Gerard Flaherty with his Primary and Secondary Teachers Also pictured are the 8 Gold Medals awarded to Gerard in 2000 by NUI Galway for outstanding results in his final examinations for his degree in Medicine. L-r: Frank Joyce, (Principal, Esker N.S.), Mary Keary, Breda Noone (Esker N.S.), Gerard Flaherty, Luke Glynn, Pauline McCarthy and Gilbert McCarthy (Principal, PCA)

School Staff 2001 Front, l-r: Mairéad Whyte, Patricia Nolan, Evelyn Concannon, Ann Newell, Marian Spellman, Nuala Creedon, Gilbert McCarthy (Principal), Sr.Mary McDonagh, Máire Ní Dhónaill, Mary Balfe, Sheila Randles, Mary Ruane, Luke Glynn, Adrian Fitzmaurice. Middle, l-r: Aileen O’Flanagan, Orla Conroy, Marian Tuohy, Maura Kiggins, Pauline McCarthy, Marie Killilea, Mary Keary, Beatrice Shaughnessy, Sr.Kathleen Collison, Dympna Fahy, Gerry Doherty, John Kenny, Maureen Byrne McKeown, Back, l-r: Marie Gardner, Nuala Byrne, Jarlath Burke, Ann Fahy, Fiona Wynne, Marie Scally, Gerry Lane, Maria Devenney, Aidan Spellman, Ronan Crumlish, Gerry Cloonan, Frank Burke, Eoin McGillicuddy, Dom Coll.

2001 Connacht Colleges 1st Year Hurling Champions Standing, l-r: Frank Burke, Michael Ward, Shane Starken, Michael Breslin, Justin Collins, Mark McGrath, Seán Loughnane, Barry Donohue, Christopher O’Callaghan, Derek Moroney, Liam Collins, Conor Cannon, Patrick Carr, Luke Glynn Seated, l-r: Seán Glynn, Brian Loughnane, Keith Hession, Barry Kilkelly, Kealan Greene, Emmet McGowan, Séamus Walsh, Cormac Murphy, Niall Greaney.

2001-Connacht Colleges First Year Football Finalists Front, l-r: Shane Starken, Niall Greaney, Seán Glynn, Conor Cannon, Liam Collins, Séamus Walsh, Martin Feeney. Brian Loughnane, Derek Moroney, Andrew Joyce, Enda Kenny, Barry Kilkelly and Ronan Duignan. Back, l-r: Fiona Wynne, Michael Ward, Vincent Costello, Seán Judge, Mark McGrath, Chris Burke, Kealan Greene, Shane Hession, Declan Furey, Seán Loughnane, Cyril Lane, Christopher O’Callaghan, Geoff Malee, Keith Hession and Ian Morton.

2001 All Ireland Tráth na gCeist Champions L-r: Gerry Cloonan, Eoin Ryan, John Joyce, Tommy Gill and Gilbert McCarthy

Year 2 Connacht Junior B Basketball Champions 2001 Front, l-r: Emma Ryan, Aoife O’Grady, Fiona Gilligan, Deirdre Grady, Claire O’Hara and Caroline Fahy. Back, l-r: Orla Duffy, Rachel Walshe, Therese Hession, Sandra Dillon, Andrea Hannon, Rosita Cummins and John Kenny (Coach).

PCA Caretaker Martin Collins Cian Burke, Justin Cheevers Hurler of the Year ‏ award 2002, 2003.

2002 Senior B Camogie All Ireland Finalists Front, l-r: Stephanie O’Dwyer, C. Glynn, Emma Coughlan, Emma Costello, Darelle Coen, Noreen Coen, Mary Ward, Fiona Page, Madeleine McDonagh and Shauna Coll. Back, l-r: Siobhán McDonagh, Cathy Coen, Catherine Moran, Krystle Ruddy, Sarah Donohue, Fiona Gilligan, Jessica Greene, Jessica Gill, Amy Coen, Elaine Ryan, Aoife O’Grady and Emma Ryan.

Western Region Cadette Basketball Western Region Junior ‘B’ Champions And All-Ireland Bronze Basketball Champions 2002  Medal Winners 2002. Front: Michelle O’Brien, Siobhán Front, l-r: Claire Kelly, Grace Kelly, McDonagh, Claire McNamara, Fiona Lorna O’Regan, Shauna Coll, Gilligan. Back: Michelle Coady, Denise Sheridan, Michelle O’Brien. Therese Hession, Caroline Fahy, Krystal Standing, l-r: Siobhán McDonagh, Ruddy, Rachel Walshe, Andrea Hannon. Emma Coughlan, Niamh Tierney, Sinéad Quinn, Karla Hannon, Marian Brannelly, Dom Coll.

2002 Visit to Croke Park Transition Year Students and Resource Class Students with Peggy Healy, Mrs Marian Spellman and Maura Kiggins outside The GAA Museum.

Transition Year Students and Resource Class Students Visit to Áras an Uachtaráin Seated: Maura Kiggins, President MacAleese, Marian Spellman and Peggy Healy

2002 London/Paris Tour

2002 Visit of Joe Mc Donagh, President GAA L-r: Gerry Cloonan (Deputy Principal), Gerry Lane, Mairéad Whyte, Gilbert McCarthy (Principal), Joe McDonagh, Ann Fahy, Luke Glynn, Phelim Murphy (Secretary, Galway Hurling Board) and Jarlath Burke.

Leaving Certs 2002 Front, l-r: Neil Coffey, Lorena Dunne, Sinéad Kelly, Bríd Ní Bhrosnacháin, Leonie Gardner, Yvonne O’Brien. Back, l-r: Lisa McGrath, John Joyce, Mr. Gerry Cloonan, Ruth Melia, Gerard Kennedy, Joanne O’Shaughnessy, Katie Curran.

2003-Connacht Colleges Senior Camogie “A” Champions and All Ireland Finalists Front, l-r: Aoife O’Grady, Cara Glynn, Fiona Gilligan, Jessica Gill, Emma Costello, Noreen Coen, Mary Ward, Catherine Moran, Darelle Coen, Elaine Ryan. Back, l-r: Madeleine McDonagh, Siobhán McDonagh, Shauna Coll, Emma Coughlan, Cathy Coen, Amy Coen, Sarah Donoghue, Krystal Ruddy, Fiona Page, Stephanie O’Dwyer, Jessica Greene, Deirdre Ryan.

2003 Student of the Year, Catherine Moran with her parents Sheila and Willie Moran, The Weir, Kilcolgan .

Graduation 2003 L-r: Marie Kelly, Marie Gilhooley, Sinéad Forde, Sarah Kinneen, Fiona Page

Credit Union Quiz Champions 2003 / 04 Standing, l-r: Gerard Ryan, Joe Dennison, Tom Lane, Tom Fahy, Conor Kelly,  Gerry Walsh, Michael Kelly. Seated, l-r: Gerry Cloonan, Willie Hoyne, Anita Ryan, Dolores Kelly, Catherine Kelly, Mary Ryan

Claire McNamara, All Ireland High Jump Champion 2003, represented Ireland at the World Student Games in Scotland.

2004 Student of the Year, Conor Kelly,  with his mother, Mrs. Bridget Kelly

2004 University Challenge Cup Winners Front, l-r: Ronan Farrell, Darragh Starkin, Conor Cannon, Niall Greaney, Ray Moran, Joe Finnerty and Ronan Duignan. Back, l-r: Kealan Greene, Sean Glynn, Sean Judge, Geoff Mal, Stephen Brannelly, Kieran Healy, Liam Collins and Shane Starkin.

2004 All Ireland Junior ‘A’ Camogie Champions Front, l-r: Jacqueline Greene, Rachel Kelly, Laura Loughnane, Stephanie O’Dwyer, Noreen Coen, Jessica Gill, Kayla Hallissey and Maeve Carr. Back, l-r: Ms. Caroline carr, Alison Healy, Emma Mannion, Louise Callinan, Ciara Kennedy, Laura Walshe, Katie O’Dwyer, Rachel Kennedy, Rachel Kenny, Sarah Coen, Deirdre Ward and Mr. Eoin McGillicuddy.

Young Scientists Exhibition 2004. L-r: Marilyn Bane, Lisa Holland, Sarah Delmer, Leanne Costello, Glenn Forde, Ciara Kavanagh, Declan Snowden, Aoife O’Grady, Fióna Gilligan, Joseph Finnerty, Aidan Dooley, Brian Egan.

2004 PCA Musical ‘Annie’

The Principalship of Mary Forde 1/3/2004—28/2/2007 Mrs. Forde’s overview of those years

Prior to my arrival in Athenry I was on secondment to the Department of Education and Science for a number of years. During this period I visited almost every secondary school in Ireland as facilitator on in-service days. I was impressed by the atmosphere and ethos of Presentation College, Athenry, therefore I was delighted to be appointed principal 1st. March, 2004. One of my first duties was to update the existing school policies and introduce new policies to comply with the Education Acts and Department Legislation. In March, 2004 there were 537 pupils on the rolls. The students are the centre of the Education System and we ensure that all students are catered for, so that they can reach their full potential in curricular and extra curricular areas. We endeavour to ensure that all modern technology is available to each department and that students lack for nothing in the areas of teaching and learning. In the extra curricular area, a wide range of cultural and sporting activities are available to all students. After three years I was again seconded to the Department of Education and Gerry Cloonan became principal till his retirement on the 31st.August, 2007. I then returned to Athenry to prepare for the Whole School Evaluation that took place in 2008. There are over 700 pupils on rolls at present, times are changing, but the Presentation atmosphere and ethos still remain in Athenry.

The Lotto Sponsored Visit to the Abbey Theatre 2004 for the production of Chekhov’s play, “The Cherry Orchard” to celebrate the centenary of it’s founding in 1904 . Front,l-r: Claire Kelly, Lorna McNamara, Aoife Cahill, Denise Kindregan, Áine Flanagan, Yvonne Lydon, Ciara Costello. Second Row, l-r: Cathy Coen, Lisa Creaven, Nuala Creedon, Anne Fahy, Ruth Kelly, Sinéad Quinn, Fiona Carroll. Third Row, l-r: Patrick Carr, Denise Connolly, Neasa Ní Bhrosnacháin, Ciara O’Brien, Sarah Shannon, Stephanie O’Reilly, Mary Mulryan, Lisa Duffy, Sarah Delmer, Back, l-r: Karla Hannon, Andrew Joyce, Michael Cannon, Geoff Malee, Barry Caulfield, Barry Donohue, Declan Snowden, Alan Donnellan, Brian Egan, Shane Spellman, Oisín McHale, Declan Furey.

Connacht Colleges Senior “B” Hurling Champions 2004 Front, l-r: Kieran Healy, Michael Kelly, Brian Loughnane, Ciarán O’Donovan, James Collins, Emmet McGowan, Adrian Healy. Back, l-r: Gary Earls, Kealan Greene, Sean Glynn, Paul Madden, Ronan Kenny, Derek Moroney, Niall Greaney, Luke Glynn (Trainer).

Athenry Credit Union Academic Awards 2004. Seated: Marion Quirke, Eoin Quirke, Vera Browne, Gerry Doherty, Mary Forde (Principal), Sharon Holland, Seán Holland. Standing: John Kelly, Patrick Quirke, Bridget Kelly, Conor Kelly, Anne Holland, Michael Crimmins, Clodagh Crimmins, Angela Crimmins, Anne Fahy.

First Year Hurlers 2004/2005 Front, l-r: Gerard Cormican, Conor Caulfield, Ciaran Keane, Cian Loughnane, Daniel McNally, Conor Kindregan and Coleman Costello. Middle, l-r: Tommy O’Brien, Brian Burke, Ciaran Cleary, James Divilly, Deirdre Ward, Gerard Forde, Darragh Loughnane, Eoin Donnellan and Padraig Hynes. Back, l-r: Kevin Moroney, Kevin Joyce, Conor McDonagh, Shane Heavey, Aiden Diviney, Keith Fahy, Colm Kilkelly, Simon Nutley, Bobby Ward.

2005 PCA Young Scientists Martin Browne and Bernard Brennan

All Ireland Colleges Junior Camogie Champions 2005

Connacht Senior Camogie Champions 2005 Front, l-r: Rachel Kelly, Siobhán McDonagh, Stephanie O’Dwyer, Ciara Kennedy, Deirdre Ward and Maeve Carr. Middle, l-r: Jessica Gill, Noreen Coen, Marilyn Bane, Louise Callanan, Laura Walshe, Cathy Coen, Emma Coughlan, Fiona Gilligan and Lorraine Ryan. Back,l-r: Madeline McDonagh, Emma Ryan, Lorraine Nolan, Mary Ward, Rachel Waldron, Darina Ryan and Aoife O’Grady.

2005 Re-Union of the Leaving Cert Class of 1971

L-r; Brendan Langan, Walter Murphy, Leo Coffey, Tommy Keady, Bosco McDermott, John Fahy, Gerry Holland and Patrick Gill.

L-r: Josephine Coen, Patricia Burke, Dorothy Rooney, Marie Staunton, Marie Coyne, Bridie McNamara, Josephine Connolly and Mary Burke.

L-r: John Jennings, Angela Martyn, John Fahy, Michael Killeen, Michael Collins, Teresa Boyle, Pat Nestor, Teresa Treacy and Marie Loughnane.

2005 Reunion of the Leaving Cert Class of 1971 Dermot Healy, Gerry Cloonan, Marion Hession, Marcella Donohue, John Shaughnessy, Stephen Cloonan, John Killeen, Josephine Coen, Bridie McNamara, Gerry Greaney, Breda Cahill, Michael Collins, Brendan Langan, Marie Coyne, Gerry Doherty, Louise Walshe, Martina Cleary, Dorothy Rooney, John Kennedy, Dolores Murray, Patrick Gill, Walter Murphy, Carmel Coady, Gerry Holland, Mary Burke, Johnny Gannon, Leo Coffey, Kieran Barrett, Bosco McDermott, John Joe O’Kane, Pat Nestor, Maureen Kennedy, Marion Loughnane, Marion Conneely, Angela Martyn, Teresa Treacy, Tom Keady, Patricia Burke, Emily Melia, Marion Duffy, Violet Glynn, Mary Conneely, Josephine Connolly, Marie Staunton. Not in picture: Teresa Coleman, Yvonne Doran, John Fahy.

L-r: Breda Cahill, Gerry Greaney, Marcella Donohue, Mrs. Kennedy, John Kennedy, Tommy Keady, John Joe Keane, John Shaughnessy and Mrs, Shaughnessy.

2005 First Year Hurling with Coach, Joe Cooney. Front, l-r: Aidan Diviney, Darragh Loughnane, Deirdre Ward, Keith Fahy, Daniel McNally, Conor McDonagh, Shane Heavey, Cian Coughlan, Gerard Forde, Simon Nutley, Tommy O’Brien. Standing, l-r: Kenneth Morris, Mark Hannon, Liam Cannon, Eoin Donnellan, James Divilly, Gerard Cormican, Brian Burke, Kevin Moroney, Colm Kilkelly, Reece Grehan, Conor Fanning, Joe Cooney (Coach).

2005 Greg Browne Credit Union Awards Seated, l-r: Mary Forde (Principal), Niamh O’Connor, Gerry Doherty, Vera Browne, Linda Kilkelly, Mary “Queenie” Browne. Standing, l-r: Joe Dennison, Liam Rowland, Gerry Rowland, Bridie Rowland, Siobhán O’Connor, Ian O’Connor, Maeve Kilkelly, Martin Browne, Marie Browne, Edel Browne, Mattie Duane.

2006 PCA are All Ireland Champions of Tráth na gCeist ar Raidió na Gaeltachta for the Fifth Time Front, l-r: Peter Joyce, Gerard Forde, Barry Molloy, Aengus Farrell. Back, l-r: Niall Duddy, Gerry Cloonan (Deputy Principal), Sinéad ní Churnáin, Mary Forde (Principal), Cathal Moore and Seán Bán Breathnach.

2006 PCA 1st Year Rugby Team with Rugby Coach, Eddie O’Sullivan Back, l-r: Paul Courtney, Seán O’Halloran, Nathan Sweeney, Cathal Kelly, Karl Rafferty, Thomas Connolly, Mark Killeen, Shane Concannon, Shane O’Halloran, Eddie O’Sullivan. Front, l-r: Ian Rooney, Liam Burke, Fergus Killarney, Pádraig Mac Mághnuis, Fintan Loughnane, Bill Rawlings, Alan Murphy.

PCA 2nd Year Rugby Team 2006 with International Rugby Coach, Eddie O’Sullivan Back, l-r: Paul Courtney, Simon Nutley, Gerard Cormican, Conor Kindregan, Mark Hannon, Declan Cullen, Darragh Loughnane, Kenneth Farrell, Stephen Devaney. Middle, l-r: Eddie O’Sullivan, Gavin Mahon, Reece Grehan, Gerard Cronin, Damien McNelis, David Ward, Ciarán Cleary, Pádraic Hynes, Conor Fanning, Tommy O’Brien-Whelan. Front, l-r: Colm Kilkelly, Eddie Connolly, Joe Keighrey, Daniel McNally, Tommy O’Brien, Paddy Finnerty.

Connacht Colleges Senior Hurling ‘B’ Champions 2006 Back, l-r: Conor Burke, Aaron Greene, Mark McCormack, James Coen, John McDonagh, Conor Lane, Seán Glynn, Aidan Nally, Conor Cannon, Keith Hession, Barry Kilkelly, Joseph Burke, Keith Kennedy, Éanna Fahy, Shane Concannon, Rory Treacy, Craig O’Connor, Anselm McGowan. Front, l-r: Desmond Coen, Oliver Newell, Gary Moroney, Declan Connolly, Thomas Divilly, Shane Cahill, Ainéis Lawless, Michael O’Halloran, David Skehill, Pádraic Nestor, Eoin Costello, Michael Caulfield, Francis Curran, Gearóid Spellman. Photo: Paul Molloy Photography

4th Year Concern Fast 2007 Standing, l-r: Nuala Creedon, Bryan Nolan, Niall Gibbons, Anne Marie Coffey, Gavin Mahon, Keith Fahy, Emer Hansberry. Seated, l-r: Tara Gormally, Fabienne Cooney, Karen McNamara, Róisín Walsh, Catherine Mannion, Rebecca Dillon

Quiz Wizards 2007. Front, l-r: Alison Duff, Aoife Donnellan, Zachary Browne, Peter Joyce, Thomas Molloy, Jason Browne, Paul Collingwood-Monahan. Back, l-r: Liam Coppinger, Brian Burke, Stephen Devaney, Robert Alfis, Eoghan Page, Christopher Joyce, Niall Duddy.

2007-Senior U-18 Connacht Footbal Champions Front, l-r: Orla Holland, Fabienne Cooney, Roisín O’Neill, Aisling Lawless, Tracey Hackett and Siobhán Kelly. Back, l-r: Áine Seoighe, Aoife Burke, Clodagh Rafferty, Kirby Brennan, Emily Moran, Sarah Coen, Rachel Kenny, Yasmine Tobin, Saoirse O’Connor and Rachel Kelly.

2007 Presentation College, Athenry Debs Front, l-r: Sharon Costello, Stephanie O’Dwyer, Alison Furey, Aoife Burke, Róisín Molloy, Amanda Gormally, Emma Naughton, Lisa Kelly, Emily McGreal, Aoife Gilligan, Rebecca Jennings, Aoife Coughlan, Nadine Coen, Erica Jeffers, Orla O’Brien, Edel Forde. Second Row, l-r: Laura Loughnane, Christina Qualter, Maeve Carr, Niamh Hansberry, Sinéad Brady, Jo-Louise Freeney-Mogan, Róisín McNally, Katie Houlihan, Aoife Burke, Sinéad Clarke, Niamh O’Connor, Ciara Croghan, Rachel Kennedy, Ashlyn McDonagh, Marie Carroll, Sarah Murphy. Third Row, l-r: Kou Saghian, Emma Rourke, Jessica Gill, Mairéad Connolly, Irene Greaney, Aishling Finnerty, Lorraine Ryan, Darina Ryan, Katie Donnellan, Aisling Cunniffe, Laura Costello, Anna Moran, Mary Rose Murphy, Rachel Waldron, Desmond Coen. Fourth Row, l-r: Paul Quinn, David O’Brien, Mícheál Burke, David Skehill, Daragh Starken, Eoin Costello, Shaun Dooley, Liam O’Connell, Gary Murphy, Andrew Spelman, Conor Carr, Neil Madden, Conor McCormack, Ruairí Duggan. Back, l-r: Stephen Badger, Shane Concannon, Mark McCormack, Conor Lane, James Coen, Shane Cahill, Gary Moroney, Ian Caulfield, Aaron Greene, Michael Caulfield, John McDonagh, Jason Loughnane, Thomas Divilly, Stephen Brannelly, John Hackett, Brian Kelly, Anselm McGowan, Patrick Forde, Adam Duffy, Nicholas Fitzgerald, Joseph Donoghue.

The Principalship of Mr. Gerry Cloonan 1st March 2007-31st August 2007

2007 Mairéad Meehan Award for Best Female Sports Personality of the Year Seated, l-r: Sheila Fitzgerald, Lisa Meehan, Michael Meehan, Louise Callanan (Award Winner), Anne Meehan and Ailish Fitzgerald. Standing, l-r: Luke Glynn (Deputy Principal), Eoin McGillycuddy, Caroline Carr, Seamus Meehan, Michael Meehan, Kieran Fitzgerald, Enda Meehan, Noel Meehan and Gerry Cloonan (Principal)

2007 Connacht Colleges First Year Football ‘C’ Champions. Front, l-r: William Dooley, Brian Greaney, Alan Lawless, Seán Delaney, Darragh Cooney (Captain), Joseph Naughton, Kieran Cullinane, Darragh McInerney, Darren Burke. Middle, l-r: Richard Murray (Trainer), John Martyn, Daragh Creaven, Gerard Kilkelly, David Farrell, Brian Moran, Seán Hickey, Eoin O’Connor, Cathal Keane,David McDermott, Michael Mullins, Cathal McKenna, Pádraic O’Reilly (Manager). Back, l-r: Stephen Hynes, Kevin Culkin, Niall Egan, Declan Connolly, Paul OMalley, Conor Henry, Kevin Kavanagh, Adrian Healy, Colm Murphy, Michael Forde, Cathal Hardiman.

2007 Connacht Colleges Second Year Football ‘C’ Champions Front, l-r: John Kerse, Robert Hession, Mark Cleary, Éanna O’Reilly, Richard Hynes (Captain), Jack Gibbons, Nathan Madden, Michael Farrell. Middle, l-r: Richard Murray (Trainer), Jason Holland, Dean Healy, Daniel Stephens, Stephen O’Dea, Alan Murphy, Shane O’Halloran, Paul Concannon, Peter Dolan, Karol Mortimer (Selector). Back, l-r: Jamie O’Connell, Adam Tuohy, Jack Carr, Darragh Glynn, Liam Clarke, Paul Costello, Christopher Bannon, Pádraic O’Reilly (Manager).

2007 Connacht Colleges Senior Football ‘D’ Finalists Front, l-r: Daniel Hanlon, Des Coen, Thomas Divilly, Shaun Dooley, Shane Cahill, Adrian Healy, Liam O’Connell, Conor Burke. Back, l-r: Eoin Costello, Conor Lane, James Coen, Daragh Starken, Garry O’Brien, Paul Quinn, Stephen Brannelly, Joseph Burke, Wayne Caulfield, Gary Moroney, Mark Healy, James Collins, Niall Quinn, Rory Treacy.

2007/2008 Credit Union Quiz Winners Front, l-r: Tom Lane (Athenry CU), Zachary Browne, Eoghan Page, Peter Joyce, Christopher Joyce and Joe Dennison (Athenry CU). Back, l-r: Niamh Coffey, Niall Duddy, Thomas Molloy, Jason Browne, Gerard Forde, Liam Coppinger, Mrs. Mary Forde (Principal), Gerry Cloonan.

Gerry Cloonan’s Retirement Function in the Raheen Woods Hotel L-r: Mary Coleman, Noreen Howley, Mary Newell, Ann Greene.

2007-Gerry Cloonan’s Retirement Function in the Raheen Woods Hotel, Athenry

The Principalship Years of Mrs Mary Forde 1/9/2007———–Present

Presentation of the Stations of the Cross to the Presentation Sisters, Athenry by Second Year PCA Students on the centenary of their coming to Athenry Front, l-r: Sr. Teresa Gilligan, Sr. Catherine O’Connor, Marie Killilea, Sr. Marie Ward, Community Leader, Máire O’Connell. Middle, l-r: Mary Forde, Principal, Frances Bane, Luke Glynn, Deputy Principal, Linda Carey, Evelyn Concannon. Back, l-r: Daniel Stephens, Jamie Doherty, Elaina Ward, Sorcha Murphy.

2008 Connacht Colleges Senior Football ‘D’ Champions Front, l-r: Patrick Finnerty, Tommy O’Brien-Whelan, Gerard Forde, Conor Caulfield, Aineis Lawless (Captain), Luke Madden, Mark Cleary, Conor Fanning, Christopher Bannon, Daniel Hanlon. Back, l-r: Pádraic O’Reilly (Manager), Colin Whyte, Conor McDonagh, Niall Quinn, Kevin Moroney, Liam Cannon, Matt Moran, Thomas Flynn, Ciarán Cleary, Richard Hynes, Mark Hannon, Rory Treacy, Cathal Lydon, Gary O’Brien, James Divilly, Joseph Burke, Karol Mortimer (Selector).

PCA Junior Hurling Team 2007/2008 Standing, l-r: Richard Hynes, Eoin Donnellan, Thomas Flynn, Liam Cannon, Mark Hannon, Conor McDonagh, Michael Farrell, Daragh Glynn, Shane Heavey. Seated, l-r: Cian Coughlan, Ciarán Keane, Paul Concannon, Conor Caulfield, Gerard Cormican, James Divilly, Gerard Forde, Darragh Loughnane

2008 PCA Musical Oklahoma

Front: C. Lawless, G. Cronin, C. Keane, Front: M. Gallagher, C. Greally, D. McNeilis, C. Coughlan. L. Scanlon, L. Creaven. Back: B. Skrzyszewski, B. Burke, Back: M. McDermott, E. Cahill. D. Gardner, S. Heavey. Construction Crew: Martin Collins, Front: C. Cleary, R. Alfis, C. McDonagh. G. Cronin, P. Finnerty, D. McNally. Back: J. Divilly, J. Keighrey, P. Finnerty

2008-PCA’s Most Successful Quiz Year in a Long and Proud History With a haul of five titles, history will record 2008 as the most successful year for quizzes in the history of Presentation College, Athenry. In March the school won the Conradh na Gaeilge, Tráth na gCeist in both Junior and Senior categories for the second consecutive year. This was followed by the biggest achievement in the long history of quiz in the school: victory in the Thomas Crosbie Holdings All-Ireland Schools Quiz: the most prestigious schools quiz in the country.

The final stages of the competition were broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1. After the quiz team captain, Jason Browne was presented with the Andrew Quinlan Memorial Trophy and the team were presented with their prizes by Minister for Education & Science, Mr. Batt O’Keeffe.

The school received an Apple iCart mobile classroom and the team members were each given an iPod Nano. All prizes were generously sponsored by Apple Computers. The team consisted of Jason Browne (Captain), Gerard Forde, Eoghan Page and Liam Coppinger and the substitutes were Zachary Browne, Aengus Farrell, Christopher Joyce and Thomas Molloy.

In October the quiz club crowned a great year winning both Junior & Senior Credit Union (Chapter 16 area) quizzes for three years in a row; truly a remarkable achievement. However, in any competition, there must be winners and losers and while winning is always very sweet, we must never lose sight of the fact that participation is most important.

Maintaining such a proud tradition is always a challenge that the teachers and students relish. Nevertheless it is great to see that the quiz tradition, begun by the legendary Mr. Gerry Cloonan, is now being carried on by Mrs. Niamh Coffey and Mr.Niall Duddy.

PCA Co. Galway Senior Schools Credit PCA Co. Galway  Back Row: Principal Mrs. Mary Forde, Back, l-r: Mr. Niall Duddy, Zachary Thomas Molloy, Gerard Forde Browne, Robert Carr, Daragh Murphy, Eoghan Page, Mr. Joe Dennison (Athenry Mr. Joe Dennison (Athenry Credit Union).

Junior Credit Union Quiz Champions 2008 Schools’ Quiz Champions 2008

Credit Union) Front row: Mr. Niall Front, l-r: Mrs. Mary Forde, Liam Duddy, Jason Browne Mrs. Niamh Coppinger (Captain), Mrs. Niamh Coffey. Coffey..

LCVP PHOTO PROJECT 2008. Mary Mitchell, Niamh Higgins, Aoife Hennelly, Ruth Heneghan.

2008 Re-union of the Leaving Cert Class of 1973 in the Raheen Woods Hotel

Front, l-r: Mary Kelly, Lucy O’Brien, Geraldine Lyons, Geraldine Doherty, Sr. Bríd Brennan, Mary Keary, Eleanor Gill. Middle, l-r: Anne Stack, Pauline McCarthy, Breda Greaney, Kathleen Loughnane, Bernie Mullins, Vera Bane. Back, l-r: Margaret Joyce, Una Mullins, Marion Caulfield, Geraldine Costello, Marita McGrath, Ann Marie O’Brien.

L-r: Martin Greaney, Gilbert McCarthy, Gerard Delaney, Gerard Duane, Martin Murphy, John Trowell, Jarlath Fahy, John Touhy, Willie Hynes, Gerry Cloonan.

2008-Transition Year Tour of Dublin including Collins Barracks with Viking Boat in the Background

2008 Beijing Olympian, Paul Hession, visited the PCA Front, l-r: David Concannon, Cathal Kelly, Cian Kelly, Sinéad Gaffney, Ailbhe Greaney, Katie O’Donohue, Alan Murphy, Shane O’Halloran, Patrick Hannon. Middle, l-r: Kathryn Casserly, Richard Commins, Brian Keane, Paul Hession, David Farrell, David McDermott, Cathal McKenna, Daniel Stephens, Ann Fahy. Back, l-r: Anna Lane, Claire Ryder, Emma Grady, Orla McDaid, Caoimhe Quill, Kaydee Martyn, Chloe Callanan, Hannah Kindregan, Jessica Heneghan. Alan Kerins African Project March / April 2008

Presentation College Athenry supporting the “Alan Kerins African Project” recently raised €4000 towards the building of a new school . Back Row, l-r: Niall Gibbons, Declan Connolly, Alan Kerins, Orla Holland, Nichalos Fitzgerald, Vincent Mullins, Rory Treacy, Matt Moran, Front Row, l-r: Caroline Carr (Teacher) , Claire Forde, Louise Callanan, Noreeen Coen, Ciara Kennedy, Laura Mitchell, Aineis Lawless

Concern Fast 2008 Back row, l-r: Fabienne Cooney, Ms. Nuala Creedon, Emer Hansberry, Fionnuala Corbett, Tara Gormally, Karen McNamara, Tara Roche, Siobhán Kelly, Áine Dempsey, Mark McNally, Ms. Susan McGann. Front row, l-r: Niall Gibbons, Ann Marie Coffey, Róisín Walsh, Hector Ó hEochagáin, Catherine Mannion, Rebecca Dillon.

Thomas Crosbie Holdings All-Ireland Schools Quiz Champions 2008.

Seated, l-r: Eoghan Page, Gerard Forde, Jason Browne, Liam Coppinger. Standing, l-r: Niamh Coffey, Luke Glynn (Deputy Principal), Zachary Browne, Gerry Cloonan, Aengus Farrell, Thomas Molloy, Niall Duddy, Christopher Joyce, Mary Forde (Principal).

Michael F. Dolan Business Awards 2008 Back row (l to r): Ms. Emer Kilgannon, Ms. Olive Flynn, Mr. Luke Glynn, Ms. Catherine Mannion.. Front row (l to r): Carol Coppinger, Mr. Michael F. Dolan, Claire Burke, Niall Quinn. President McAleese Visited PCA on the 30th October 2008

President McAleese Visited PCA on the 30th October 2008

Photos: Gerry Ahern

Co-operation Ireland Civic-Link Programme Presentation College, Athenry is part of the Co-operation Ireland Civic-Link Programme, which aims to promote peace, foster friendship and break down barriers by bringing together northern protestant and southern catholic schoolchildren. They visit each other’s communities, work on common projects and exchange ideas. We are happy to be partnered with City of Armagh High School.

Front Row, l-r: Melissa Gannon, Kelly-Anne Moran, Christina Qualter, Anita Long, Georgina Coleman, Denis Coleman (Staff). Back Row, l-r: Madelyn Brody (Staff), Niall Quinn, Davis Larkin, Ross O’ Connor, Orla O’ Dea, Helen Cloonan (Staff); David Kelly, Stuart Doherty

2008/2009 Students’ Council Front, l-r: David Cullinane, Grace Cosgrove, Niamh Kindregan, Vincent Doyle, Thomas Hennelly, Seán Kilduff, Aodán Keane and Michaela Depinna. Middle, l-r: Rachel Cosgrove, Deirdre Coffee, Órlaith Costello, Shane Heavey, Darragh Cooney, Alison Quinn and Katie Mullins. Back, l-r: Ethan Ruane, Siobhán Kindregan, Billy Lane, Tara Roche and William Dooley.

PCA School Secretaries 2008- 2008/2009 PCA Parents’ Association Oficers Eileen O’Connor and Orla Delaney L-r: Mary Fahy (Treasurer), Helen Doheny (Secretary) and Carmel Mitchell (Chairperson)

Fourth Years 2008 Front, l-r: James Scally, Bryan Nolan, Andrew Joyce, Ethan Ruane, Mark McNally, Kenneth Morris. Second Row, l-r: Tara Nolan, Sarah McNamara, Tara Gormally, Tracey Hackett, Róisín Walsh, Catherine Mannion, Rebecca Dillon, Caoimhe Doherty, Fabienne Cooney, Maria Keane. Third Row, l-r: Gabriela McMahon, Danielle Keady, Fiona Ward, Ann-Marie Coffey, Catherine O’Keefe, Katie Burke, Karen McNamara, Emily Moran, Fionnuala Corbett, Elizabeth Concannon, Aoife Smyth, Natasha Murphy. Fourth Row, l-r: Luke Glynn (Deputy-Principal), Dawn Mulkerrins, Tara O’Regan, Emer Hansberry, Deirdre Forde, Tara Roche, Aisling Holian, Sandra Lynskey, Áine Dempsey, Raychel Kelly, Katie O’Dwyer. Fifth Row, l-r: Tommy O’Brien-Whelan, Peter Joyce, Robert McHale, Pádraig Hynes, Christopher Kennedy, Thomas Hepworth, Daniel Hanlon, Gearóid Spellman, Conor Burke, Colin Whyte. Back, l-r: Michael Geoghegan, Tommie O’Brien, Jack Rawlings, Justin Brody, Michael Mitchell, Rory Treacy, Niall Gibbons, Simon Nutley, Declan Cullen, Kenneth Farrell, Stephen Molloy.

PCA Parents’ Council 2008 Seated, l-r: Breda Gibbons, Brigitte Corcoran, Nicola Rooney, Mary Fahy (Treasurer), Carmel Mitchell (Chairperson), Helen Doheny (Secretary), Madelyn Brody, Stephanie O’Regan, Ita Archer. Standing, l-r: Maria McNamara, Cróna Rogers, Ann Greene, Carmel Caulfield, Máire Donnellan, Kathleen Lally, Freeda Garman, Maeve Roche, Catherine Cleary, Christine Conerney, Breda Finnerty, Sinéad Mistéall, Marianne Gardiner.

2008 Shrewd Hurling Coaches L-r: Michael Rourke, Finian Coone, Cathal Moore, Eddie Brady

Michelle Dowling-Artist and PCA Teacher 2008 We thank Michelle for the six paintings that introduce each of the principal sections of this book.

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• February 29, 2024

The Growth and Development of Athenry Vocational School

By Seamus Cullinane B.Comm. M.B.A. H. Dip in Education

Athenry Vocational School 1996

By Seamus Cullinane, Principal

Athenry Timeline

The back lawn.

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Board of Management of Presentation College Athenry v Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills

[2017] IEHC 521

Ní Raifeartaigh J.

[2017 No. 250 J.R.]

THE HIGH COURT

JUDICIAL REVIEW

Education – S. 15 (2) (d), s.29 of the Education Act, 1998 – Jurisdiction of the Dept. of Education – S. 19 (1) of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 – Appeal from the decision of Dept. of Education – Enrolment policy – Legacy issues

Facts : The applicant sought an order of certiorari , by way of judicial review, against the decision of the appeals committee (‘committee’) appointed by the first name respondent directing the applicant to arrange for the enrolment of the child of the notice parties in the school of the applicant. The committee accepted the evidence of the notice parties by way of an affidavit alleging that the child had been shifted in a particular feeder primary school following discussions with the applicant's former secondary school principal. The applicant contended that the former principal had never given such a guarantee, which was contrary to the school's published admission policy. The applicant contended that there was a breach of fair procedures concerning the assessment by the committees by ignoring the email of the former principal as evidence and allowing the evidence of the parents. The applicant contended that the child of the notice parties had not satisfied the requirements of admission pursuant to the enrolment policy. The applicant contended that the scope of appeal by the notice parties under s. 29 of the 1998 Act was limited to a review of the lawfulness of the decision and that the committee had no jurisdiction to interfere with the board of management's decision made in accordance with the valid enrolment policy.

Ms. Justice Ni Raifeartaigh granted the relief of certiorari and remitted the matter for a fresh consideration by the committee. The Court, taking note of various High Court judgements, held that a committee must conduct its full appeal within the parameters of the school's enrolment policy, and that in the present case; it took into account certain circumstances that the enrolment policy would not have permitted. The Court held that the committee was not entitled to depart from or disregard the enrolment policy and thus, erred in giving weight to a matter that was extraneous to the enrolment policy namely, that the child had been placed in a particular feeder primary school following discussions with the former secondary school principal. The Court held that it failed to understand how the school legacy issue would be an important factor in reaching the decision as to the admission of the child of the notice parties as those children from non-feeder schools fell into another category in the school's enrolment policy (e.g. a sibling already in school). The Court, thus, quashed that ground formulated by the notice parties in their affidavit on the basis of lack of rationality. In relation to the issue of alleged breach of fair procedures by the committee, as contended by the applicant, the Court held that the question of evidence was a matter for the committee and the Court should not interfere unless a conclusion was reached, which was entirely unsupported by the evidence. The Court held that it did not propose to quash the decision on any ground in which the committee approached the question of evidence regarding the interactions between the parents and the former principal.

This case concerns a challenge by way of judicial review to a decision made by an appeals committee (‘the committee’) appointed by the Department of Education (‘the department’) pursuant to s. 29 of the Education Act 1998 (‘the Act of 1998’). The committee allowed an appeal on behalf of a child (‘C.I.’) from a decision of the board of management of a secondary school refusing to enrol him in the school. The applicant school seeks certiorari of the determination of the committee as well as of the direction of the Minister directing the school to arrange for the child's enrolment in the school in September, 2017, and an order remitting the matter back to a newly constituted committee. The primary issue in the case is whether the committee was entitled to take into account the fact that the parents of the child in question had moved their child to a particular primary ‘feeder’ school for the last two years of his primary education as a result of discussions with the former principal of the secondary school in question. The enrolment policy of the secondary school provided that, in respect of children who did not fall into certain categories, such as siblings of children already in the school, the selection procedure was to be by random lottery. The child in question had not been selected by lottery but the effect of the committee's decision, if valid, is that the school would be required to admit him despite his not having been selected in accordance with the procedure set out by the school's enrolment policy.

Section 15(2)(d) of the Act of 1998 deals with the publication of school policies and provides that, in carrying out its functions, a school's board of management shall:-

‘publish, in such manner as the board with the agreement of the patron considers appropriate, the policy of the school concerning admission to and participation in the school, including the policy of the school relating to the expulsion and suspension of students and admission to and participation by students with disabilities or who have other special educational needs, and ensure that as regards that policy principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents' choice are respected and such directions as may be made from time to time by the Minister, having regard to the characteristic spirit of the school and the constitutional rights of all persons concerned, are complied with’.

No directions have been published by the Minister pursuant to this section.

Section 19(1) of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 (‘the Act of 2000’) provides that:-

‘The board of management of a recognised school shall not refuse to admit as a student in such school a child, in respect of whom an application to be so admitted has been made, except where such refusal is in accordance with the policy of the recognised school concerned published under section 15(2)(d) of the Act of 1998.’

Section 29 of the Act of 1998 provides that, where a board of management refuses to enrol a student in a school, the parent of a student may appeal that decision to the Secretary General of the Department of Education and such appeal should be heard by a committee appointed in accordance with the section. On the determination of an appeal, the committee sends notice in writing of its determination and the reasons for it to the Secretary General. Under s. 29(6), where a committee upholds a complaint in whole or in part and it appears to the committee that any matter which was the subject of the complaint should be remedied the committee shall make ‘recommendations’ to the Secretary General as to the action to be taken. Section 29(7) provides that, as soon as practicable after the receipt by the Secretary General of that notice, the Secretary General may give such directions to the board as appear to the Secretary General to be expedient for the purpose of remedying the matter which was the subject of the appeal and the board ‘shall act in accordance with such directions’.

The admissions/enrolment policy of Presentation College Athenry (‘the school’) in its revision of 19th September, 2016, provided detailed criteria for the selection of incoming pupils. It provided as follows:-

‘Criteria for selection first year The Board of management will set a figure each year for the number of students to be accepted into first year. This figure will depend on the overall number of students in the school and the overall capacity for which the school can cater and is contingent on provision of the necessary accommodation and resources by the Department of Education and Skills. Presentation College Athenry will offer 180 places in first year for September 2017. Admission to the school in First Year will depend on the places available in that given year. The school must receive a fully completed application form before the closing date. Attendance at the Open Night is not compulsory, but can be helpful. In the event that the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, places will be allocated according to the following order of priority. 1. Brothers and sisters of current students who have completed all of their second level education at Presentation College Athenry. (sic) 2. Brother and sisters of past students who completed all of their second level education at Presentation College Athenry. 3. Sons and daughters of school staff employed by the school at the time of enrolment. 4. Students who have attended Scoil Chroí Naofa for all of their Primary education and boys who were enrolled there from junior infants until first class. 5. Sons and daughters of past students who completed all of their second level education at Presentation College Athenry and who are attending the feeder primary schools as listed on page 4 of his policy. 6. Students attending the feeder primary schools as listed on page 4 of this policy.’ (Emphasis added).

In this judgment, I will refer to children in the last category referred to as the ‘category six’ children.

The enrolment policy went on to provide as follows:-

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High Court: Appeals committee erred in taking personal circumstances into account

The board of management of a secondary school in athenry have been granted an order of certiorari, quashing the decision of an appeals committee which had directed the school to admit a pupil contrary to its enrolment policies..

About this case:

• Judgment: External link

Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh found that the committee had erred in considering personal circumstances in the case, and remitted the matter for fresh consideration by a committee

An appeal committee appointed by the Department of Education pursuant to s. 29 of the Education Act 1998 allowed an appeal on behalf of a child ( C.I.) from a decision of the Board of Management of Presentation College Athenry which had refused to enrol him in the school.

In the High Court, the school sought certiorari of the determination of the committee as well as of the direction of the Minister directing the school to arrange for the child’s enrolment in the school in September 2017, and an order remitting the matter back to a newly constituted committee.

The Nub of the Case

Justice Ní Raifeartaigh explained that this case raised a discrete and important legal issue that arose “from a most unfortunate set of personal circumstances”.

The child was moved, from a primary school in which he had spent many years and was well settled, into Craughwell National School where he had to repeat fifth class for reasons unrelated to academic ability, and settle in all over again because his parents believed that this would secure him a passage into Presentation College Athenry.

The parents believed because of their interactions with the then school principal that this was a “feeder” school for the College, and in their appeal to the committee they argued that they had a legitimate expectation because of what the principal had told them.

The secondary school applied the procedures prescribed by its enrolment policy for a child in his category, which was a procedure of random lottery, and C.I. did not secure a place and was refused enrolment in the school.

The effect of the committee’s decision, if valid, was that the school would be required to admit him despite his not having been selected in accordance with the procedure set out by the school’s enrolment policy.

Justice Ní Raifeartaigh stated that one could “readily understand, at the human sympathy level, why the committee took the decision it did”; nevertheless, the questions arising for the High Court were legal in nature:

• Was the committee entitled to consider the personal circumstances of the child and in particular the fact that reliance had been placed upon things said by the former principal?
• Or was it confined, in conducting its appeal, to the parameters of the school’s own enrolment policy?
• What is the proper scope of a s. 29 appeal and is a committee bound by the parameters of the school’s enrolment policy in the same way as the school itself?

As such, the Court had to “put to one side considerations of personal sympathy”.

Previous decisions

Justice Ní Raifeartaigh stated that the starting point on the scope of an appeal to a committee pursuant to s. 29 of the Education Act 1998 was the Board of Management of St. Molaga’s National School v. Department of Education 1 I.R. 362.

Considering the St. Molaga case at length, the issue of whether a committee could be entirely “at large” and not constrained by the parameters of an enrolment policy did not arise in St. Molaga .

Turning to consider further High Court authorities, Justice Ní Raifeartaigh summarised the key statements in relation to the relationship between the committee’s role and the enrolment policy of a school as:

• The committee should not impugn the enrolment policy; it should apply it (as per County Westmeath V.E.C. v. Department of Education 1 I.R. 192);
• The committee cannot strike down or disregard a provision in the enrolment policy and substitute what it considers appropriate ( as per Lucan Educate Together National School v. Department of Education IEHC 86);
• The committee is required to take the decision on the basis of the same matters as the school and is not entitled to take into account extraneous matters such as alternative school placements (as per City of Waterford V.E.C. v. Department of Education IEHC 278 ); and,
• The committee has no jurisdiction to review the entrance policy of a school and its only task is to decide whether the entrance policy was correctly followed. It should interpret and apply the policy but it is not appropriate to look behind the policies or indirectly to criticise them. It cannot pay attention to elements unrelated to the correct implementation of the entrance policies. (as per Bord Bainistíochta Scoil Lorcáin v. Rionne Oideachais ).

High Court Discussion

In the present case, there was no question of the committee seeking to “impugn” or criticise the enrolment policy itself in any direct sense.

The committee considered, in deciding that the child should be given a place in the school, the interactions between the former school principal and the parents which had led to placing him in a new primary school where the child had to repeat fifth class.

In doing so, the committee crossed the line into territory which was described as prohibited by the High Court authorities.

The essential point was that it considered certain circumstances which the enrolment policy would not have permitted to be considered.

Accordingly, Justice Ní Raifeartaigh concluded that the committee erred in considering the personal circumstances of the child.

The committee was not entitled to depart from or disregard the enrolment policy; and consequently, as a matter of law, the previous High Court authorities required that the committee conduct its full appeal within the parameters of the school’s enrolment policy.

• by Seosamh Gráinséir for Irish Legal News

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Education Update: Important High Court Development for Enrolment

What is Section 29?

Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 gives parents and students who have reached the age of 18 the right to appeal certain decisions made by a school’s board of management to the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills. This includes decisions to exclude, suspend and refuse enrolment.

In a recent High Court case, Board of Management of Presentation College Athenry v Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills and Others , the school challenged the decision of a section 29 appeals committee to uphold an appeal by parents on behalf of their son against a decision to refuse his enrolment in the school.

The school’s enrolment policy set a limit of 180 places. It provided that if the number of applications to enrol exceeded this stated limit, places would be offered in descending order of priority in accordance with six categories. The applicant, in this case, came within the sixth category: pupils of a number of specified feeder schools. The policy provided that random selection would be applied if there were more applicants than places available in a particular category.

After allocating places to students who were in the first five categories, seven places remained to be filled from the sixth category. A lottery was carried out, but the applicant was unsuccessful.

Appeals Committee Decision

The parents appealed against the decision to refuse enrolment. Their appeal was based on the fact that they had moved their son to one of the listed feeder schools in order to ensure that he would obtain a place in the school. The parents claimed that the former principal had given them assurances that their son would be guaranteed a place in the school if they moved him to a particular feeder school. They did so, but as there was no place available in sixth class, their son was forced to repeat fifth class.

The appeals committee found that the boy had been placed correctly in category six and that he had not been successful in the lottery. The appeals committee found that the parents had demonstrated a reasonable expectation that their son would be offered a place following conversation with the previous principal. It further found that the parents had relied on this and had made significant changes in their child’s education, moving him and his sister to another school.

The key issue to be determined in this case was whether:

• the appeals committee was entitled to take into account the personal circumstances of the boy and, in particular, the fact that his parents had relied on assurances from the former principal, or
• whether it was confined by the parameters of the school’s enrolment policy in conducting the appeal in the same manner as the board had been.

In her decision, Judge Ní Raifertaigh considered the High Court and Supreme Court judgments in the St Molaga’s case before considering the High Court judgments in the County Westmeath VEC, Lucan Educate Together, City of Waterford VEC and Scoil Lorcain cases. Judge Ní Raifertaigh found that it was clear from these authorities that an appeals committee is required to conduct a full appeal within the parameters of the school’s enrolment policy. It was determined that, although the committee was satisfied that the boy fell within category six and that random selection applied in accordance with the school’s policy, it had taken into account the interactions between the former school principal and the parents. Judge Ní Raifertaigh found that the enrolment policy of the school had not permitted such matters to be taken into account.

The High Court judgment was appealed by the Department of Education and Skills to the Court of Appeal. This appeal, however, was refused with the Court of Appeal affirming the High Court judgment of Judge Ní Raifertaigh.

Implications for Boards of Management

Some admissions policies include a provision which allows a Board of Management to exercise discretion and to offer places to applicants in “exceptional circumstances”. In practice, this allows a board of management to offer a place to an applicant whose application might otherwise be unsuccessful if the priority categories were applied. Boards of Management should be aware that if their enrolment policy allows a Board of Management discretion to offer places in exceptional circumstances, an appeals committee will have the same discretion when hearing an appeal. It is entirely possible, therefore, that an appeals committee may find that exceptional circumstances apply in a particular case where a Board of Management has decided they do not.

In this case, the school’s enrolment policy contained an “exceptional circumstances” provision although the parents had not sought to rely on this provision in their application. If they had, however, there may well have been a different outcome to the case.

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Remarkable new beginning as ‘Pres’ in Athenry gets new school

by Martina Nee  Galway Advertiser, Thu, Dec 15, 2011

There will soon be a “remarkable” new beginning for Presentation College Athenry who received long-awaited news this week that it will finally have a brand new school building within the next three years.

Minister Ciáran Cannon made the announcement at a meeting held last Monday which was attended by many including County Mayor Cllr Michael Maher, former TD and minister Noel Treacy, principal of Presentation College Athenry Gerry Doherty, and chairperson of the board of management Paddy Boyle, as well as staff members and students. Minister Cannon, a past student of Presentation College Athenry, explained that the new school will be located on a greenfield site at Ballygurrane, Athenry, and will cater for the increase in population in the region and the need to develop school facilities that will provide the best possible education for students.

It is understood that the school will be 6,971sq m in size with a PE hall of 930sq m as well as having a special needs unit of 552sq m. It will cater for the enrollment of more than 1,000 students and will meet the needs of students not only in Athenry but from catchment areas extending from Clarinbridge to Abbeyknockmoy, from Claregalway to Kiltulla/Killimordaly and adjacent areas.

Chairman of the school board of management Mr Boyle welcomed the news describing it as an “historic” occasion. “It is an exceptional day in that the minister announces plans for our future development. It has been a long journey that began when the Presentation sisters came to Athenry in 1908. Today begins a new chapter in our excellent record of achievement in education in Athenry.”

“The recognition of the Department of Education and Skills of the need for change in our school in heartily welcomed. Our numbers have doubled in the last seven years. We now have an enrollment of more than 1,000 students. The numbers for September 2012 are similar if not a little higher. At this point we thank NUIG and their president Dr Jim Browne for giving us their old engineering block to accommodate our first year students. This building has been a great asset to our school. Nevertheless, as much as we appreciate our present buildings they are not fit for long term growth. Most of our accommodation is of a temporary nature and will not last into the future. This is why today marks a truly remarkable beginning for the ‘Pres’ in Athenry.”

Mr Boyle concluded: “The progression of our project has taken some time but time and effort have been rewarded. We pay a special tribute to Mary Forde former principal, Mr Luke Glynn, Mr Noel Treacy, former Minister, Noel Grealish TD, Michael Kitt TD, Frank Fahey, and Peter Feeney who have progressed the school project with an urgency and commitment only they could give. We also thank Ms Anne Kelleher CEO of CEIST and Mr Liam Dwyer CEO EDUCENA for their tireless efforts over the last couple of years in progressing our project. A special tribute is paid to the Presentation Order Northern Province for their support and assistance in helping us achieve our goal. The final push for this project has come from Minister Ciáran Cannon. He has taken on board the needs of this school and has been in constant touch with us. Today is the culmination of a combined effort that sees our own Minister make this announcement today.”

School principal Mr Doherty further explained the new school, located on a 20 acre site, will have all the facilities needed in a modern school including a state of the art building wtih playing pitches, recreational space with ample parking and easy accessibility.

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Presentation College

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​​Presentation College , Athenry is a voluntary secondary school which is predominantly Catholic in character not in any sectarian sense but in the expression of our Christianity through our Catholic faith.

In 1908 Presentation Convent in Athenry was established by the Tuam mother-house. Sisters taught in the old girls’ primary school at Abbey Row until, some years later, a new Primary School was built on the parish lands at the rear of the convent.  By the late 1920’s the Sisters began to provide secondary education for girls in the primary school through development of a secondary top.  In 1930, four girls took the Intermediate Certificate examination, fore-runner of the present Junior Certificate and in 1948 the school was registered with the Department of Education as a Secondary School and the curriculum was extended. There were 74 girls on the rolls in 1949/50.  A new building, the Technology Block, with 5 classrooms was opened in 1951. The main school building until 1980, this building is still in use today.  in 1952 there were 96 girls enrolled. Some travelled by train from Ballyglunin station, which featured in the film The Quiet Man. Closed for many years, the line was re-opened by 2013 so once again pupils may travel by train to the Pres from Ballyglunin and further afield.

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Union protests school over teacher's blocked attendance at Teaching Council meetings

The Teaching Council office in Maynooth. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

A teachers’ union is to protest outside a school today in a dispute over attendance at meetings of the Teaching Council, the professional standards body for the profession.

The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) claims Presentation College Athenry is refusing to allow one of its teachers, an elected representative of the Teaching Council, to attend Teaching Council meetings.

Niall Duddy represents second-level teachers across 13 counties, including Galway, on the Teaching Council.

It is understood his attendance has been blocked for more than a year, including attendance at meetings of the full Teaching Council and certain subcommittee meetings.

ASTI president Miriam Duggan said the Teaching Council works in the “interest of the public” to promote the highest standards in teaching and education in Ireland.

“When a school board of management refuses to allow a teacher to attend Teaching Council meetings, this has a debilitating impact on the work of the Teaching Council," she said.

“It means the elected teacher cannot properly fulfill her or his role under statute. It denies thousands of teachers their right to be represented on the Teaching Council.” 

The protest outside the school will be attended by both ASTI president Miriam Duggan and general secretary Kieran Christie.

A spokesman for the Teaching Council said it is aware of the matter.

“To date, the Council has benefited from, and has been grateful for, the discretion and flexibility exercised by employers, including school patrons and boards of management, in facilitating attendance at meetings by members of the Council.” 

He added that the Teaching Council has no role in employment arrangements for its members who serve on the Council in a voluntary capacity.

The Teaching Council’s work is overseen, by the Council itself which comprises of 37 members.

This includes 11 primary teachers, nine of whom are elected and two of whom are teacher union nominees, and 11 post-primary teachers, seven of whom are elected and four of whom are teacher union nominees.

Presentation College Athenry said in a statement that in this case, "the staff member" is "requesting release from teaching duties, which from experience amounts to one day per week". 

"Such regular absences from class teaching, which have been sanctioned in previous years, are disruptive for students, not least because it is extremely difficult to procure and retain a substitute teacher for one day per week. The school has to put the interests of students first."

It said: "The Board of Management continues to encourage all staff to pursue continuous professional development opportunities to further their personal and professional development."

It added that the "continuity of learning for students is the priority" for the school. 

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Galway school decision denies rights of teachers to Teaching Council representation

Monday 9 October 2023

Press releases

Galway school decision denies rights of teachers to Teaching Council representation

The ASTI held a short protest outside the Teaching Council annual FÉILTE festival to highlight the situation whereby a teacher member of the Teaching Council is unable to attend Council meetings due to his school’s refusal to release him.

Niall Duddy, a teacher at Presentation College Athenry, was elected by teachers to represent 8,000 second-level teachers across 13 counties on the Teaching Council. However, his school Board of Management are refusing his requests to attend Teaching Council meetings. Meanwhile, other elected teacher representatives on the Teaching Council are attending meetings as part of their role in representing teachers across Ireland.

Commenting on the situation Mr Kieran Christie, ASTI General Secretary, said:  

“Despite the fact that Mr Duddy was duly elected by teachers and subsequently appointed to the Teaching Council position by the Minister for Education Norma Foley, the Board of Management at Presentation College Athenry are refusing a reasonable request by Mr Duddy to represent thousands of second-level teachers across Galway and other counties.

“The Teaching Council performs vital work in the national interest including the registration of teachers, professional standards in teaching, and investigations into complaints against teachers. It is unthinkable that a Board of Management in one school in Ireland would choose to stymie thousands of teachers’ democratic right to be represented on the Teaching Council.”

The Teaching Council annual FÉILTE festival took place in Portlaoise on Saturday, October 7th.

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Presentation College, Athenry set to make debut

Rod Houston Cup

Schools Association Football International Board (SAFIB)

First Year Girls National Cup Finalists (U14)

Monday, November 7, 2022

PRESENTATION COLLEGE, ATHENRY will represent FAI Schools this week in the SAFIB Rod Houston Cup for the first time in the Schools history as Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Shropshire plays host.

The Republic of Ireland representatives will jet off from Shannon to Manchester this morning to compete for the first time in their history. The three day tournament will see them participate against the Welsh contingency who have 2 teams lining out with Y sgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, Cardiff and Ysgol Bro Preseli, Crymych, Pembrokeshire involved while England have South Hunsley High School, East Riding of Yorkshire also fielding for the first time at this event.

The tournament will resume following a two year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The reigning Champions from 2019 were Carndonagh Community School. They secured the gold medal with a 3-1 victory over Welsh outfit Ysgol Glan Clwdy, Saint Asaph. Conor Doherty’s side were in a commanding position heading into the final game following comprehensive victories over their English counterparts, defeating Crompton House School 4-2 in the opening game. This was followed up with an impressive 4-0 win over Shenfield High School, Essex in the penultimate outing.

In 2018, Westport’s Sacred Heart School made the journey to Lilleshall. The Irish girls had convincing wins over the other title contenders St. Ivo School and Ysgol Cymraeg Bro Morgannwg of Barry so it was winner takes all on the third day of action.  Bohunt School, Wokingham dispatched the Westport side 2-1 in a tantalising conclusion to ensure a runners up spot for the Republic of Ireland representatives.

2017 Champions, Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny had a phenomenal tournament with the Cats notching up 32 goals in three games, only conceding twice to lift the title in remarkable fashion with Senior International Ellen Molly playing an instrumental role in their success.

In 2016, Ursuline College in Sligo were runners up to eventual winners St. Ivo School in the very first tournament decider.

The Irish Schools have enjoyed some superb results at this level so it will be interesting to see how Presentation College, Athenry perform this season.

The first series of games will take place this evening (Monday, November 7) which will see Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, Cardiff face off against South Hunsley High School, East Riding of Yorkshire at 4pm while Athenry’s challengers will be Ysgol Bro Preseli, Crymych, Pembrokeshire with a 5.15pm kick off scheduled.

Day two will see an early start for Athenry as the other Welsh outfit Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, Cardiff will be the opposition at 10am while South Hunsley High School, East Riding of Yorkshire take on Ysgol Bro Preseli, Crymych, Pembrokeshire at 11.15am

Wednesday’s fixtures have the Irish representatives facing the English side while it will be all Welsh affair to finish up the tie as both games kick off simultaneously at 10.30am.

The table toppers will be awarded the Rod Houston Cup following the final series of games as well as the Nigel Brown Trophy to be awarded to the best player of the tournament.

The Galway side showed great class in their Provincial decider last May and their 2-0 victory over Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana last month in their National Cup semi-final campaign. They will relish the opportunity to showcase their talents on a bigger stage.  FAI Schools wish Presentation College, Athenry every success in the tournament as they kick off proceedings this evening.

PRESENTATION COLLEGE, ATHENRY | Lauren Kearney, Leah Mullins, Sarah Egan , Soirise Counihan, Niamh Kilgannon, Mollie Noone, Sophie Hogan , Katyln Walshe, Aimria McNamara, Ciara Mullins, Katie Noone, Lauren Gannon, Chloe Taylor Keane, Abbie Donoughue , Jessica McGlynn, Aoibhe Corcoran 

TEACHERS |  Joe Finnerty, James McDonnell, Emer Kilgannon, Dom Coll

SAFIB Rod Houston Cup (U14 Girls’ Home Nations Tournament)

Venue | Lilleshall National Sports Centre, Shropshire

Monday, November 7

Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, Cardiff vs South Hunsley High School, East Riding of Yorkshire, KO 4pm

Presentation College, Athenry vs Ysgol Bro Preseli, Crymych, Pembrokeshire , KO 5.15pm

Tuesday, November 8

Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, Cardiff vs Presentation College, Athenry , KO 10am

South Hunsley High School, East Riding of Yorkshire vs Ysgol Bro Preseli, Crymych, Pembrokeshire, KO 11.15am

Wednesday, November 9

Presentation College, Athenry vs South Hunsley High School, East Riding of Yorkshire, KO 10.30am

Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, Cardiff vs Ysgol Bro Preseli, Crymych, Pembrokeshire, KO 10.30am

The Cup is named after Mr. Rod Houston. Rod is a retired School teacher and was President of the Scottish Schools FA for many years. He held the position of Treasurer and Secretary of the Schools Association Football International Board (SAFIB) and is honoured to be associated with this competition that promotes girls football to a larger audience. This competition has been in existence since 2016.

ROLL OF HONOUR

2016 | St. Ivo School, Huntington (Runners Up Ursuline College, Sligo)

2017 | Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny

2018 | Bohunt School, Wokingham (Runners Up Sacred Heart School, Westport)

2019 | Carndonagh Community School, Donegal

2020 | NA (COVID-19)

2021 | NA (COVID-19)

PREVIOUS IRISH REPRESENTATIVE SQUAD LISTS

2016 | URSULINE COLLEGE, SLIGO | Megan Byrne, Emma Corcoran, Allanah Gallagher, Shona Dalton, Oda Carty, Sophie McDonagh (Captain), Helen Monaghan, Aoife McLaughlin, Laura Oates, Cathy Harrison, Sarah Gillen, Sophie McGoldrick, Eden Rooney, Emma Shanley, Ingrid Shiels

TEACHERS: Deirdre Cullinan, Carmel Donelon ASSISTANTS: Darragh Healy & Laura McGinn

2017 | PRESENTATION SS, KILKENNY | Ellie O’Neill, Louise McInerney, Katie Ryan, Caroline Barron, Sarah O’Gorman, Niamh Phelan, Sarah Barcoe, Keara Ryan, Rachel Whelan, Ellen Molloy, Kate Furlong, Emma Shortall, Sarah Hudson, Alannah Cody, Sarah O’Donnell, Aoife Doyle

TEACHERS | Wendy Roche & Monica Kearns

2018 | SACRED HEART SCHOOL, WESTPORT |  Katie McNea (Captain), Ella McHale, Aenea Breslin, Sophie Scahill, Ashling Duffy, Sorcha McArney, Aoife Staunton, Leila O’Malley, Maggie Chambers, Laura Moran, Cliodhna Casey, Abi Conway, Maya O’Toole, Emily Chambers, Milly Allen, Eimear Geraghty, Laura Masterson

TEACHERS |  Fiona Casey, Annemarie O’Malley ASSISANTS |  Declan Moran, Megan Nugent, Jennifer Coughlan

2019 | CARNDONAGH COMMUNITY SCHOOL |  Samantha McLaughlin, Suzie Lafferty, Ellie Long, Ailish Doherty, Imogen Diver, Seaneen Crumlish, Cora McCaul, Alanah Brennan, Aisling Doherty, Fiona Dohery. Clara Gill, Aoife McCarron, Erin Grant, Niamh Devlin, Jenna Gallagher, Julia Grant, Rachel McLaughlin, Courtney Gallagher

TEACHERS |  Conor Doherty, Kevin McCarron, Danielle Doherty

Where Thought Leaders go for Growth

Sort Tasks With the MoSCoW Prioritization Method (+ PDF Template)

Table of contents, what is the moscow prioritization method, what are the advantages of the moscow method, m: must have, s: should have, c: could have, w: won’t have…, free moscow prioritization matrix template, limits & alternatives to the moscow method, prioritization is key to meeting expectations.

Defining the scope and features of a project is vital in project management . The proper definition of these key characteristics of the deliverables of the project allows your project team to focus on a well-defined goal and vision . Furthermore, time shouldn't be wasted on useless features to keep the project within the deadlines.

The MoSCoW prioritization method is a useful tool to sort through the requirements of a project and determine which features should be implemented in the final release or product. Learning how to use this framework could save you time and efforts , while preserving the quality and focus of your project.

Keep reading to learn more about how to use the MoSCoW analysis , with its pros, cons and alternatives . And to top it all off, other useful matrices often used in agile project management are discussed below.

Just like other agile tools (such as SCAMPER ), this method is based on a mnemonic: the term MoSCoW is there to remind you of action verbs. The MoSCoW technique was developed by Dai Clegg , who also played an essential role in the development of the first agile methodologies in the form of the Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM) , one of the early agile frameworks .

This prioritization method can be used for just about anything, but is most often employed for agile projects and software development to sort user stories and technical requirements. Its principles are simple: not all features of the project are essential to its success. There are features that the project:

• Must have (Mo)
• Should have (Sc)
• Could have (Co)
• Won’t have, at least for now (W)

There are many advantages that make this technique a valuable prioritization technique. The MoSCoW framework:

• Makes the vision more apparent, as words are used instead of numbers or generic terms such as “High” or “Low” to define the priority. This allows the team to focus on what to deliver, rather than argue about meaningless priority levels .
• It doesn’t allow for indecision by including a “Medium” option, yet is flexible enough to give some leeway for debate regarding a feature if the team doesn’t agree from the get-go.
• It’s intuitive and easy to understand, even for non-specialists. This could be especially useful when communicating with stakeholders .

In short, this method keeps it simple, verbal and understandable . Are you sold yet? If so, learn how to make the most of this tool right about… well, now!

How to use the MoSCoW method

As we’ve seen, this tool is designed to decide what are important requirements and prioritise them using 4 labels.

This category is reserved for items that are essential to the success of the project. They cannot be replaced and define the project globally. Must-haves should include:

• All functionalities are required for compliance reasons. Compliance requirements could be related to security and privacy, or be legal obligations.
• All functionalities could not be overlooked or replaced without making the product unusable. These key requirements are required for the product or software to accomplish the basic tasks it was designed for.

To sum up, this category regroups anything that could make the product or software impossible to release or sell .

Some basic examples could include characteristics such as:

• The homepage in the case of a website,
• The wheels to build a bike,
• Security standards to create a professional application...

These features are slightly different from the first category. The final product does not need “should have” functionalities to be functional and usable. However, these should be implemented throughout the course of product development because they add significant business value .

For example, these initiatives could be:

• Implementing a search function on a website,
• Make the bike capable of being used on many terrains ...

The “could have” features are functionalities that would be nice to have , meaning that it would add some business benefits to the project, but less so than “should have” features. They aren’t prioritized: they are kept in the backlog if enough time is available to implement them. However, if the features from the first two categories take longer to develop than expected, they would be postponed or cancelled first .

In some cases, it could be useful to conduct a business analysis to determine the degree of importance and priority of an item, as “should” and “could” are similar in some aspects.

… For now. This group is the most important to define the limits of the scope of your project . It regroups the features that are unlikely to ever be implemented, either because they provide little value to your business, or because they would take too much effort . Or both.

But nothing is set in stone , so a handful of these features could be prioritized later on if deemed useful. Some argue that good practice is to subdivide this category into two subsections, one being “ will not have ”, and the other “will not have this time ”. This allows the team, Project Manager or Product Owner to see which items could be added to the sprint backlog if there is time left for a few sprints before the deadline.

To get your priorities straight shortly, why not use our MoSCoW prioritization PDF template ? If urgent matters are at hand, lose no time and get started right away with this ready to use model you can complete with your own requirements!

Though the MoSCoW technique is a widely used and fairly popular prioritization tool , it isn’t exempt from criticism.

• The verbal basis of this technique makes it more subjective than pure statistics. While it’s useful to reach a consensus and for communication purposes, some may find the “should have” and “could have” categories too similar.
• Make it clear from the start whether it will include features that won’t be part of a specific release or items that should be scrapped completely .
• Subdivide the category to keep these two types of features separate.
• If you go with the “won’t have for now” option, make sure that the scope of your project stays in check , as adding too many low-value items would defeat the purpose.
• It provides no native way to distinguish prioritization levels for items within the same category.

Each prioritization method has its own pros and cons, but some could be best suited to your needs. Below are some of the most popular alternatives to the MoSCoW model:

• User Story Mapping
• The Kano Model
• The RICE Scoring Model
• The PriX Method
• Cost of Delay

Additionally, other useful matrices exist in agile project management to set priorities, either for urgent tasks with the Eisenhower Matrix or in stakeholder mapping with the Power/Interest Matrix .

The MoSCoW prioritization technique is a useful method to help you define the scope of your project. It is an intuitive matrix designed to spark a debate around which features are vital , and which would add the most value to your project .

Setting the right amount of work to put in a project means getting your priorities straight first . Don’t overlook the prioritization process to plan your sprints and manage stakeholder expectations with confidence. Are you ready to tackle the steps of your project in the right order ?

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