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Smith attends 25th anniversary and amalgamation of St. Michael’s Primary Schools, Cootehill
Mr. Brendan Smith, T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food was in attendance today at celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary and amalgamation of the junior and senior schools at St. Michael’s Primary Schools, Cootehill, into a single co-educational facility.
Expressing his pleasure at being present for such an important event for the local community, the Minister said that although it was a joyous occasion, it was tinged with sadness: “ I would like to pay tribute to the man who had such a presence in Cootehill for almost 40 years. We remember, this evening, the former principal of the Senior School, Mr. Peter Mc Grane, who sadly died a few months ago. It was Peter who championed and successfully brought to completion this amalgamation of St. Michael’s National School. It stands proudly as a testament to Peter’s vision and commitment”.
Bishop Leo O’Reilly, who was also in attendance, blessed a commemorative bench in memory of Peter, which the Minister said reminded him of the bench along the Grand Canal in Dublin, associated with another Monaghan man, the poet Patrick Kavanagh.
“Today is a day for hope and optimism. As we celebrate 25 years of success in this building we acknowledge the contribution and dedication of the former principals of St Michael’s Schools…Sr. Ursula, Sr. Eileen, Mrs Mary Shields and Mrs Bríd Lynn and indeed all the teachers who have worked here. We also look forward to the next equally successful 25 years of educational service to the community”, Minister Smith added.
“I congratulate the new principal of St Michael’s National School, Ms. Majella Mc Carthy on her appointment and I wish her and her colleagues and all the pupils every success and much joy in their school”, he concluded.
