History is made as Bower's first lay principal is appointed

Our Lady's Bower Secondary School in Athlone has reached a landmark moment in its 127-year history with the appointment of its first ever lay principal. Until now Sisters from the La Sainte Union order always served in the role of principal at the all-girls boarding and day school. That will change from September 1, when John Cleary officially takes on the position. Mr Cleary succeeds Sr Margaret O'Reilly, who served as principal for one year. The new appointee lives in Aughrim, Ballinasloe, and is married to Sinead. The couple have two children. Prior to his appointment, Mr Cleary taught in St Brendan's Community School in Birr. When contacted by the Westmeath Independent this week, he said it was "a privilege and an honour to be appointed to a school with such a remarkable and noble reputation". He added that he "hoped to continue the Christian vision of La Sainte Union Sisters which is to recognise and foster the unique talents and abilities of each and every student." Sr Denise O'Brien had served as principal of the school from September 1992 until her retirement last summer, when she was succeeded by Sr Margaret. The congregation of La Sainte Union Sisters has a long and proud history in Athlone. Our Lady's Bower was established in the town in 1884. Its day school opened around 1915 on the Lower Road, at which time the Bower Convent became a boarding school only. In 1971 the day school and the boarding school came together on a new site on Retreat Road. A 'sixth-year wing' of the school was added in time for its centenary in 1984. Work on an €8m new school development for Our Lady's Bower started at the Retreat Road site in July 2006. The state-of-the-art facility was officially opened in October 2008.