NEWS 67
THE NATIONALIST | � February ����
Scoil Bhride officially opened THE official opening and blessing of the new Scoil Bhríde national school in Nurney took place on Sunday �� January. A gathering of about ��� included teachers, pupils, former teachers, past pupils, former members of board of managements and parents councils, Fr Gasper Habara, deputies Sean O’Fearghail, Sean Power and Jack Wall, councillors Francis Browne and Mark Wall. Three new flag poles in the foreground of the school bore the national, county and school flags blowing in the gentle breeze. Indoors and outdoors were decorated with �,��� green and white balloons bearing Scoil Bhride, Nurney Official opening �� January ���� thereon with similar coloured bunting in abundance bedecking the scene. The day’s events got off to a start with special guests conveyed to the venue in a cavalcade of �� vintage cars from Cill Dara Old Vehicles Club. First to alight from John Rowley’s vehicle and step out on the red carpet was Joan Muldowney from Harristown the oldest past pupil. Next up was Jamie Merrins, the oldest pupil in the school who was chauffeured by Willie Pearson. These were followed by Mike Nolan, the second eldest male past pupil, in a car driven by his son Pat who was accompanied by two of his grandnephews, Daniel and Owen Keeley, who are present pupils in the school.
Nurney BREDA THACKABERRY t 045 526849 e bredat@hotmail.com
MC Pat Deering welcomed everyone and observed a minute’s silence for all past pupils in the cemetery across the road. Fr Adrian blessed the school, St Bridget’s crosses, and a crucifix for each classroom. He then planted an oak tree in the foreground assisted by Hollie and Emma Howard, the only set of twins in the school, whilst Declan Brennan played on his tin whistle. �� Chinese lanterns were released into the bright sky by some pupils from junior and senior infants and sixth class. The two youngest present pupils in the school, Caoimhe Kelly and Jayne Fletcher, held the tape which was cut by Mike Nolan assisted by Daniel Keeley. Fr Adrian unveiled the new plaque. The groups then entered the main building where a sacred space adorned the hallway containing candles and a beautiful combination of spring flowers including snowdrops, daffodils, primroses and hyacinths and St Bridget’s crosses. The people all proceeded to the PE hall where speeches were delivered from a podium flanked on either side by two massive eloquent floral arrangements. The entire wall behind was covered with an
Pictured at the Captains Drive-in’ which took place recently at the Athy Golf Club are club captain Tony Webster, Pipe Jim Fitzgerald and lady captain Paula O’Flaherty
enormous wall hanging created by �st and �nd and �rd class pupils with St Bridget painted in the centre and her cloak comprising various pieces of material extending each side with flowers painted at the base. The school choir performed a delightful rendition of a hymn to St Bridget. MC Pat, a former pupil, spoke of his schooldays in more primitive conditions. Speeches were then delivered by Fr Adrian Carbery. School principal Eddie Julian then made a presentation to Kathleen and Con Houlihan for their dedication to making St Bridget’s crosses through the years to benefit the school, Geraldine McKeown on behalf of the parents’ association, Con O’Sullivanon behalf of the board of management, Michelle Garrahy representing the teachers, Paud O’Connor local historian and past pupil. Four generations of the Whelan family from Balkinstown who all attended the school were present – Marcella, her eldest son Tom, his eldest daughter Carmel Doyle and her eldest daughter Mekayla Doyle. A bouquet of flowers was presented to Marcella by former pupil and present teacher Eilis Reilly. Another bouquet was presented by Con O’Sullivan to Joan Muldowney who cut one of the two cakes with Jamie Merrins. One cake was consumed on the day and the other divided among the school children the following day. Maria O’Malley and Josh Casey recited their own poems which were specially composed for the occasion, with all their classmates poems on display in the hall. Twenty-four pupils who are members of Skerries IFDC performed three dances, Pam Jackson (Pamela Nolan) who is making a name for herself on the country scene also entertained the crowd as did Vanessa Kilcullen with her musicians on keyboard and tin whistles. The classrooms were also a hive of activity. A DVD of the old school was running all day long for viewing. There was a magic show and face painting by past pupils. There were numerous school photographs on display ranging from very old to recent times. Local groups Tidy Towns, Garden Club, GAA, Community Games, Care of the Elderly contributed with descriptive poster displays and photos and a healthy eating display. All the old roll books were available for viewing. Earleys of Monasterevin provided mannequins with full uniforms and track suits on display. An old school desk with ink wells,
teacher’s desk and a piece of the old step from the old school was also on display. The scouts set up a camping scene in the school yard and where they had a barbeque. Food and refreshments in abundance were readily available indoors for all with a room set aside to for the catering as well as the hallway. The intense preparations which were well planned and well organised led to a very smooth running schedule of a very pleasant day’s events aided by a bright mild day which greatly contributed to the outdoor activities. The organisers who comprised current members of board of management and parents’ council wish to thank all who turned up on Saturday and also Sunday morning to set up and decorate the entire school, both indoors and outdoors. Thanks also to the parents and others who provided a feast of scrumptious delicious home baking and sandwiches which were appealingly, temptingly and tastefully laid out and all who helped with the teas and other activities on the day.
SCHOOL MASS The pupils from Nurney school attended Mass on St Bridget’s Day. They participated in the readings, singing, presentation of the gifts and prayers of the faithful. Daniel McCormack expertly demonstrated the making of a St Bridget’s Cross at the altar during the Mass.
CG DRAUGHTS WINS Nurney fielded three teams for the Community Games draughts on Thursday last in Newbridge. The U��s and U��s were victorious and now qualify for the county final. The U�� panel comprised Áine Ryan, Caoimhe Reilly, Aisling Reilly, Tadgh Conroy, Eoin Conroy and Liam McKeown. The U�� winners were Patrick Ryan,
Joseph Byrne, Sean Higgins, Eavan Walsh, Padraig Howard, Jacqueline Berns and Chelsea Doyle. The U�� team who took part were Aoife Ryan, Aaron Fahey, Josh Casey, Dean HarleyPeters, Keelan Thackaberry, Cian Mathews, Fiona Casey, Finn O’Brien and Martin Byrne.
TRACTOR FUN RUN A tractor run to raise funds for the extension of Ballyracken cemetery (which is near completion) will take place on Sunday next, �� February, starting at the Cush Inn at �.��pm. New and old vehicles are welcome.
FIRST AID Kildangan GAA will run a basic first aid course tomorrow night, Wednesday � February, in Kildangan Hall, starting at �.�� pm. The cost is free and it’s available to everyone, whether a member or not. Details from John Nealon ��� �������. The class will be given by a fully qualified instructor. All are welcome to attend. Please note that this is a basic course, aimed at giving an introduction to the basic requirements of first aid. Places are limited, and are on a first come, first serve basis, so contact John on the number given to get your name down.
JACKPOT €8,000 The jackpot in the Pigeon House lotto has reached an incredible €�,���. Numbers drawn on �� January were �, ��, �� and ��. Winners of €�� each were Eileen McCormack c/o John McCcormack, Tom Moran c/o self, PE Reilly c/o Paddy Reilly, K Merrins c/o Jimmy Merrins and Mick Cullinane c/ o Paddy Reill, Pat Kelly c/o self, PJ Kenna c/o Gabriel Murtagh, Sean Howard c/o Mary Heffernan, Marie Miller c/o Joan Muldowney and Sean Bracken c/o Ber
Grandparents Day at St Conleth’s Infant School in Newbridge: Shane Delmar with his grandparents Paddy and Carmel Kennedy
Photo: Piotr Kwasnik