Dean Kelly NS to mark milestone moment
The Dean Kelly National School will mark its centenary anniversary with a number of events next week.
Located on the west side of Athlone, the Dean Kelly National School first opened its doors in 1925 and has been a cornerstone of primary education in the town to the present day.
To start the centenary celebrations there will be a past pupils match in McCarthy Park, the home of St Peter's FC at 11am on Sunday, June 1.
On the same date, the Shamrock Lodge Hotel will host a social night for all past pupils and friends of the school. Starting at 8pm, the event promises to be a night of reminiscence with old school photographs on display. PJ Stacey will provide live music on the night which will followed by DJ Padraig Nally. Tickets for the social event cost €10 and are available at the school or at the Shamrock Lodge.
The current student cohort will take to McCarthy Park on Wednesday, June 4, for a day-long football blitz with a visit to the Civic Centre planned for Thursday, June 5, during which Town Mayor, Cllr Frankie Keena will present a scroll to the school to mark the milestone education occasion.
The centenary celebrations will conclude on Friday, June 6, starting with mass in St Peter & Paul's Church at 9.30am. The doors of the school will remain open for all who wish to call in and take a trip down memory lane and join in with the celebrations, the Army Band providing entertainment during the course of the day.
Principal Brid McCoy is looking forward to the week of events as the school prepares to reflect upon 100 years of education on the west side of Athlone.
"There is a real feel-good factor to this historic event and the local community has been so supportive in offering to help out in any way they can. While all past principals and their families have been personally invited, I would encourage all former teachers, past pupils and friends of the school to attend the events we are hosting during the course of the celebrations. All are invited to join with us and celebrate this milestone moment in the school's history.
"The week of celebrations will culminate on June 6 when the school when old school photographs, memorabilia and roll books will be on display allowing all who visit on the day to take a step back in time. A plaque will also be unveiled to mark the occasion with song and dance from our pupils and live entertainment courtesy of the Army Band. So put a note in your diary and save the dates, this is going to be a great celebration," Ms McCoy said.