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The Crest
St Patrick's College, Cavan.
Many more news items from this school year can be found
on our ARCHIVES 07 page.
"The College Boys".
The launch of "The College Boys" written by Mr Raymond Dunne
and the late Bishop Francis J. MacKiernan took place on 12th June in the
College. The book was officially launched by Sean Cardinal Brady.
This book lists the names and original home addresses of the thousands
of students who attended the Kilmore Academy
(1839-73) and St Patrick's College, Cavan (1874-2000). It is an important
record of the students who attended both these colleges and is complimented
by an informative introductory text and photographs from the early days
of the College to the present day.
The idea of compiling a short history with a list of names, dates and
addresses of every student who passed through the doors of the colleges
came about after a conversation between Bishop Francis MacKiernan and
Raymond Dunne six years ago.
Dr Liam McNiffe welcomed everyone to the College and paid tribute to Ray Dunne and the late Bishop Francis for their commitment and hard work on the book. The book is an invaluable resource not only to historians, but also to the thousands of past and present students and staff.
Bishop Leo O'Reilly welcomed everyone to the College and congratulated
and thanked Ray Dunne and the late Bishop Francis MacKiernan who died
unexpectantly on December 23, 2005, for what had become a labour of love
for both men.
Cardinal Sean Brady congratulated his good friend Raymond Dunne,on completing
the book which he and the late Bishop MacKiernan had began six years earlier.
He said he was sorry that the late Bishop Frank hadn't lived to see the
publication of the book, but he felt that he was certainly present in
spirit.
Fr Liam Kelly' representing Cumann Senchais Bhreifne congratulated Ray and Bishop Francis and said the Society was delighted to be the publishers of The College Boys.
Copies are available from the School Office. Contact Geraldine at (049-4361888) Price €35.00 (excl. P&P)
Pictured above are Bishop Leo O'Reilly, Mr Raymond Dunne and Sean Cardinal Brady with portrait of the late Bishop Francis McKiernan. The book was the brainchild of Raymond Dunne and Francis MacKiernan.
Ms Gwen Brady after which the students took it in turn to present the various subject activities to their parents and teachers. Cakes, apple tarts, sandwiches and tea prepared by the students in TY rounded off what was a great TY Year and very entertaining evening.
Pictured above are this years Transition Year group with Dr Liam McNiffe (principal) and Miss Gwen Brady, TY Co-Ordinator after recieving their Certificates of participation.
Miss Gwen Brady recieved cut crystal from TY which was presented by James
Knight, Anthony Reilly and Luke Smith.
Mark O'Reilly presented to the school a carved bog oak sculpture on behalf of TY to Dr Mc Niffe.
Pictured below are this years two qualifing teams in the Senior Soccer competition.
The winning team in white are
Jimmy Fallon, Kevin Tierney, Matthew O'Kane, Raymond Lynch and Darragh Tighe.
Runners-up are Cian McKiernan, Kieran O'Donoghue, Fergal Flannagan, Paul O'Connor
and Shane McKiernan.
Pictured above are Simon McCaffrey, Damien McKiernan, Cathal Sheridan, Ms Kerri Flood,
David O'Keefe and Eoghan Martin. They were all winning participants in an Irish Essay writing competition organised by Ms Flood for her Irish class. Damien and Eoghan won the special prize of €150.00 each towards going to a Gaeltacht during the summer. Missing from photo are Paul Hickey and Cathal Crowe. Congratulations to all.
A welcome return to Musicals at St pat's. ..........The Little Shop of Horrors.
St patrick's College were delighted to be staging a musical once again, after
a break of nine years. There is a long tradition of musicals in the College,
from Gilbert and Sullivan productions in the fifties, to others such as Oliver,
Calamity Jane, Joseph and Bugsy Malone. The work of people such as Fr Gerry
Kearns, Patsy Lee, Frances Galligan, Bill Henry, Fr Ray Brady, John Conlon,
Brian Sullivan, Fr Kevin Donohoe, Fr John Mc Tiernan, Leon Lynch and of course
Kieran Tackney is inestimable. We thank them for their incredible committment
and generosity.
This time we have a new director/choreographer Lynn Jackson and a new
musical director, Eileen Tackney. while all other areas of involvment
in the musical were filled by members of the College Staff and the Parents
Association. The musical involved all Transition Year students along with
some second and fifth year boys.
Conor Hayes, Luke Smith, James Knight, Padraig Barry, Conor O'Reilly, Darragh Urbansky and Glen Farrelly.
A hungry Audrey II looking for food from Seymor... (James Knight)
Bach stage crew with some of the cast and Audrey II..
James Knight and Precious Okpaje.
Pictured above are the winners of the GAA quiz which took place in February.
The quiz organized by Mr Brendan Sweeney (Schools GAA Coach) proved to
be popular with the students. The overall winner was Brian Wilson, who
answered 100 of the 110 questions correctly. His prize includes He spending
a day with the Cavan Team at the National League game in Roscommon and
at a reception with the team afterwards. .
Front l-r: Nicholas Walsh (Coaching Development Manager), Peadar Reilly, Niall
Sheridan, Seamus Tierney..
Middle l-r: Darren Watters, Brian Wilson (overall winner), Liam Mc Cabe(Cavan
County Board), Enda Reilly.
Back l-r: John O'Shea (Vice Principal), Liam McNiffe(Principal), and Brendan
Sweeney.
On the 20th February Transition Year students visited Dublin Castle to participate in the Model European Council. They met with thirty four other schools from all over the country to learn about how the European Council operates. St Pat's Students were asked to represent the country of Finland while debating the challenging and indeed controversial directive that Alcohol advertising and sponsorship should be banned in sport.
Research had to be done in the weeks leading up to the political debate. The team was made up of Conor O'Reilly, Mark O' Reilly and Morgan Young while Darragh Sexton was involved in some of the research along the way. Eventually after tapping into much research on the internet as well as obtaining information from the embassies, the students along with their teacher Ms Gwen Brady decided to propose the directive stating that alcohol advertising and sponsorship should be banned from sport. Conor O Reilly acted as spokesperson while the other members of the team had to prepare a large poster illustrating the arguments of the team
In Dublin, students were greeted by and photographed with ministers Mr. Ruairi Quinn and Mr. Dick Roche as well as some ambassadors from other countries. They then took their place among the rest of the member states and engaged in three hours of political debate chaired by Minister Ruairi Quinn.
The day finished with the voting procedure. All students witnessed first-hand the difficulty in making political decisions as members states found it most difficult to agree and the directive could not be decided upon. The day proved to be a most enlightening and educational one for all team members and supporters.
European Council Panel Conor O Reilly,
Mark O Reilly, Ms Gwen Brady(teacher)
Morgan Young, Darragh Sexton
Conor O Reilly, Morgan Young and Mark O Reilly.
Pictured left is Francis Lunney (St.Patrick's College, Cavan) and Patrick
Mc Cory (Carrickmore,
Co. Tyrone), after playing in the Ulster Colleges handball, First year
final on Saturday 2nd Feb, which was hosted by St Patrick's College.
Francis had his work cut out to beat Patrick who is two time world handball
Champion, which he won in the last world finals in Edmonton, Canada. (2006)
Patrick and Francis put on a fine display for all attending and on the
day Patrick won 15-7, 15-8.
It was a great day for St Pat's to have this event held in Cavan and hopefully
we'll see many more competitions like this in the near future in the college
Report; Mr James Brady.
St. Patrick's College U-14's advance to Ulster Semi-Finals.
St. Patrick's College 2-0 Milford C.S.
St. Patrick's College U-14 soccer team booked their place in the Ulster
Schools Cup semi-final with a comfortable win over Milford Community
School, Donegal at Fanad Utd F.C. St.
Pat's got off to a dream start with two goals within the first ten minutes.
The first goal came from good work by Craig Murphy who crossed perfectly
for Jonathan Leddy to volley home. Daniel Talbot added the 2nd when
he cut in from the right into the penalty area and placed his shot neatly
into the left hand corner.
Milford tried to respond immediately but were thwarted by excellent
goalkeeping by Joe Masterson and solid defence by the back four, the
captain Conor Fagan in particular.
St. Pat's could have extended their lead before half-time with chances
from Craig Murphy and Jonathan Leddy.
St. Pat's started the 2nd half putting more pressure on Milford. Stephen
Murray and Adrian Smith continued to control midfield, Craig Murphy
tormenting the Miford defence, while Dara McVeety and Smith created
chances but the third goal proved elusive.
The last ten minutes saw Milford gaining more possession and putting
more pressure on St. Pat's defence but could not create a clear-cut
chance and St. Pat's held out for a well deserved victory.
Match team: Joe Masterson, Barry Fortune, Conor Fagan, Ben Kiernan,
Conor Higgins, Daniel Talbot, Stephen Murray, Adrian Smith, Jonathan
Leddy, Craig Murphy, Dara McVeety, Subs: Kevin Brady, Vincent Coyle,
Peadar O'Reilly, Cian Donohue, Osama Hussain.
Report; Mr Sean Reilly, Team Coach.
St. Patrick's College welcomes back former student and teacher
St. Patrick's College welcomed back its former student and teacher last Friday.
Cardinal Brady was met by a student guard of honour that lined the avenue
up to the College front door. He was greeted by the principal, Dr. Liam Mc
Niffe and Deputy Principal, Mr.John O'Shea, and by staff and students. Bishop
Leo O'Reilly was also in attendance.
The College's traditional Irish group greeted the Cardinal as he arrived in
the College Chapel where he attended a special
St. Brigid's Day ceremony with students who had made St.Brigid's Day crosses
for the occasion.
Conor Kelly, on behalf of the Student Council, presented Cardinal Sean with
a number 11 College jersey, the Cardinal's number when he played with the
College football team.
The Student Council also made a contribution towards charity which they gave
to Cardinal Sean to disburse.
The students from Laragh parish then met Cardinal Brady.
A meal followed attended by the Cardinal, Bishop Leo O' Reilly, the present
staff, the Trustees, members of the Board of Management, representatives of
the Parents' Association, the Student Council and College Prefects. Colleagues
of the Cardinal from his teaching days in St. Patrick's College were also
in attendance.
The College made a presentation to Cardinal Brady, who spoke of his great
affection for the College, home to him for five years as a student and thirteen
years as a teacher.
Cardinal Sean was presented witn a No 11College jersey (his playing position on College teams) from Studnet Council members, Oisin Gallen, Conor Kelly, James Brady and Conor Hayes
Cardinal Brady being greeted by Student Council member, James Brady and Head Prefect, Kevin Tierney
Cardinal Sean took time out to meet up with all out students from Laragh.
Cardinal Sean Brady addresses staff and students in the College Chapel
The first student to greet Cardinal Sean on his arrival was James Brady,
6th yr student. Also in photo are Mr Eddie O'Sullivan and Miss Kerri Flood.
Pictured above are (front) James Brady, Ms Marie Henry (Guidance Counsellor),
Sean Cardinal Brady, and Conor Kelly.
(back row) Philip Brady, Mr John O'Shea (Vice Principal) and Kevin Tierney.
All students above are members of the College Student Council.
Pictured above are Cardinal Sean Brady with Colleagues from his time in St. Patrick's College,
including Bishop Leo O'Reilly and Dr Liam Mc Niffe, (Princiopal).
Pictured above are four past Presidents of St Patrick's College,
Fr Colm Hurley, Fr Gerard Alwill, Fr John Mc Tiernan and Mr Patsy Lee,
with Bishop Leo O'Reilly, Sean Cardinal Brady and Dr Liam Mc Niffe, (Principal).
Senior Soccer Friday 18th January. St Pat's Cavan 1, St Eunans Letterkenny 0
Team Manager: Mr O Callaghan. Team Sponsor: Alan McHugh (Clear Water Catering)
Man of the Match: Matthew Kane .
Team: Michael Coyle, Matthew Kane, Packy Leddy, Niall McDermott, Kevin Meehan,
Mark Kelly, Kevin Tierney, Jimmy Fallon (Capt), Shane Briody, Ray Lynch and
Nialll Murray
Subs Used: Niall Smith of Shane Briody 68 mins Other Subs Darragh Tighe Michael
Brady Peter Donohoe
Gerry Sheridan and Enda Fitzpatrick
Team Coach: Mr Edward O'Callaghan.
BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition
Three Transition Year students, John Fortune, Samuel Brady and Conor Hayes took part in this years BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition at the RDS, Dublin. Their project was entitled "Running out of Breath" and was a study of the prevalence of exercised-induced asthma in Secondary School boys. They were entered into the Biological and Ecological section. The boys had to endure three rounds of judging along with numerous questions from the general public. John, Samuel and Conor were awarded a Special Display award for the very high standard of their of their presentation.
Drive for Life programme
Awareness of road safety is absolutely crucial for everyone. So many people
are hurt or die on our roads every year due to a lack of awareness on roads,
speeding , or due to drink or drug driving. It is for this reason that a speaker
from the Drive for Life Programme was organised for transition year students
on the 30 November 2007. It is so important that awareness is raised early
so as to try to prevent accidents.
The students engaged in a one day intensive certified course where all elements
of driving were discussed and preparation for the Driving Theory test was
carried out.
Pictured above are the TY class and Ms Gwen Brady with Mr Pat Mc Neely
(Drive for Life Programme).
Holocaust Survivor comes to St Pat's
On the 27th November Mr Tomi Reichental came to speak to Transition Year students,
3rd year and 6th year students as well as the 5th year history class. Over
200 students sat for 2 hours listening to Mr Reichental speak of the history
of the holocaust as well as some of his own experiences. Everyone felt most
privileged to be in the presence of a holocaust survivor and it was a most
enlightening experience for all.
Pictured above are this years Transition Year students with Mr Tomi Reichental,
Ms Gwen Brady, (TY Co-Ordinator)
and Mr John O'Shea (Vice Principal).
Pictured above is Gary Kearns, Third year student, with Mr John O'Shea,
(Vice Principal) and James Brady, (Games Prefect)
accepting his trophy for a first in the St Pat's Pool Championships.
Gary managed to beat off stiff competition from students of all years to
become this years champion.
The staff and Board of Management of the college wish them every happiness and good health in their retirement.
The act of fundraising proved worthwhile on so many levels with a huge sum of money being raised along with the enhancement of many social skills.
Dennis Sexton from Autism Ireland also came in last week to give a talk to students in order to further enlighten them.
Archbishop Sean Brady was
among 23 men from thirteen countries elevated to the College of Cardinals
by Pope Benedict XVI on 24th of November 2007. Archbishop Brady received the
red skull cap and biretta (a stiff square cap topped by three ridges) from
Pope Benedict XVI in a ceremony at St Peter's Basilica in Rome. The 90 minute
ceremony was attended by over 25.000 people including over 500 friends from
Co Cavan.
It was intended to hold the ceremony out-doors in St Peter's Square but due
to an unfavourable weather forecast the event was moved inside the basilica.
Many of the people attending watched the ceremony on large screens in the
square.
Cardinal Brady now joins Irish Cardinals Cathal Daly and Desmond Connell.
On hearing about his appointment, Archbishop Brady said,
"I am deeply honoured and humbled by Pope Benedict's announcement that
I am to be made a Cardinal. Today's news is a mark of the affection and
esteem of the Holy Father for the whole Church in Ireland".
"This small country is to have three cardinals for the first time in its
history. I ask people for their prayers as
I undertake my new responsibilities within the universal Church."
The presentation was made in the Irish College Rome shortly after Archbishop Brady was elevated to Cardinal.
Cardinal Brady is better known to us in St. Patrick's College as "Father
Sean". A native of Laragh, he was a student here in the college for five
years before starting his studies for the priesthood in Maynooth. Having studied
in Maynooth and Rome, he was ordained to the priesthood on February 22, 1964.
He continued to study Canon Law in Rome before he was appointed to the staff
of St. Patrick's College in 1967. He spent 13 years in the college, teaching
a variety of subjects including Latin, Commerce, Religion and French.
A keen follower of Gaelic Football, he trained college teams at all age levels.
In 1980 he was appointed Vice-rector of the Irish College in Rome and Rector
in 1987. In 1990, when Jack Charlton and the Irish Soccer team visited Rome,
it was Fr. Sean that introduced them to the Pope. In 1993 he returned to Ireland
and was appointed parish priest of Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan.
In December 1994 he was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh, and was
ordained in February, 1995. With the retirement of Cardinal Daly, Archbishop
Brady succeeded him as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland. He
became the 115th successor to the See of St Patrick.
The title of his talk was "The Connection between Criminality and Social Injustice".
Pictured above, front row are Jennifer O'Rourke - Career Guidance Counsellor, Sam Moore, Governor Lonergan, Anne Fitzsimons - Chairperson of Parent Association, who organized the talk, Sean Briody and Niall Rooney.
Back row: Darragh Tighe, Niall McDermott, Michael Brady, Thomas Brady, Niall Murray, Shane Briody,
Jimmy Fallon and Dr Liam McNiffe - College Principal.
To further the list of opportunities, every student is involved in ECDL while modules such as Life-Skills, Global awareness, Travel and Tourism, and Road Safety enhance awareness of the world around them. The year will see students involved in film-making, debating , public speaking, religious retreats, sports coaching, Transition Year Radio, Young Social Innovators as well as An Gaisce .
