Athlone students get taste of US life with visit to Providence
A group of Athlone secondary school students recently had a chance to experience at first hand their home town's twinning arrangement with the city of Providence in Rhode Island.
A performing arts and cultural exchange between Coláiste Chiaráin and La Salle High School in Providence saw a group of 11 local students travel as part of a delegation from Athlone which celebrated the 2026 St Patrick’s weekend on the East coast of the United States.
The students who participated in this historic trip were Caoimhe Lyons, Grace Meares, Sheena Moore, Caitlin Moran, Jamie Moran, John Morris, Maria Naughton, Saoirse Nolan, Aoibh O’Sullivan, Mia Plunkett and Aristide Selve.
The students were accompanied by Coláiste Chiáráin principal, Brendan Waldron, and music teacher, Lucy Nally. The groundwork for this exchange was laid in March 2025, when a delegation from Athlone visited Providence.
During that visit, teacher Lucy Nally, representing Coláiste Chiaráin, met with the management of La Salle High School and, following initial discussions, regular online meetings were held between the two schools.
Upon their arrival in Providence, the Coláiste Chiaráin students were met with a warm reception from their host families. Each Irish student was paired with a student from La Salle High School, ensuring a personal and immersive experience.
The first evening provided an authentic taste of American high school culture as the students attended a high-stakes hockey game. Day two saw the students experience a typical day in the life of an American high school student. They attended classes alongside their hosts and sat in on a diverse range of subjects. The afternoon transitioned from academics to arts, as the students gathered for a rehearsal session in preparation for their performance in City Hall.
The third day marked one of the most significant and moving highlights of the entire exchange. As part of Providence’s St Patrick's Day celebrations, the students of Coláiste Chiaráin and La Salle High School delivered a spectacular performance in the historic Providence City Hall.
The centerpiece of the programme was a combined rendition of the Irish blessing, May the Road Rise to Meet You, arranged by American composer Lori True. Brittany Dyer (La Salle chorus director) conducted the combined choirs and Lucy Nally accompanied on piano. This performance captivated the packed hall and earned a standing ovation. The Coláiste Chiaráin students also performed the song Óró mo Bháidín and a lively display of Irish dancing.
The fourth day of the trip was dedicated to the St Patrick's Day Parade in Providence, as the Coláiste Chiaráin representatives joined with the Athlone delegation and marched in beautiful sunshine.
Students spent the penultimate day of the transatlantic trip with their host families. Some students set off on road trips to Newport and Boston, with others taking the opportunity to visit Harvard University. The evening offered another major highlight as the group attended a spectacular showing of the musical Wicked at the Providence Performing Arts Theatre.
Emotional farewells marked the end of the exchange visit, as students said goodbye to their hosts, returning to Coláiste Chiaráin with friendships that will endure beyond this inaugural US exchange.
Reflecting on the experience, student Grace Meares described it as "one of the best weeks of my life". Saoirse Nolan thanked "the nicest, most welcoming host family, the most dedicated organisers, and everyone behind the scenes," while fellow student Mia Plunkett summed up the trip by saying: "I have made memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life."
Music teacher Lucy Nally expressed her thanks to all those who made this exchange possible.
"This exchange happened because we had people who supported and encouraged it. Sincere thanks to everyone in La Salle who worked on this exchange; Don Kavanagh (president), Tim Welsh (principal), Joanna Doyle (vice principal), Tom Haynes (director of arts) and Brittany Dyer (music teacher).
"On a personal note, I want to thank John Henson (Athlone-providence twinning committee secretary) and Mary Smith (Providence parade committee secretary) for their unwavering support and guidance from the initial planning stages right through to the exchange itself."
The music teacher said her own personal highlight of the cultural week in Providence was the students' performance in City Hall.
"The students were just amazing and I couldn’t be prouder of them. They are a wonderful group of young people and I know that they will each go on to do great things in the future," Ms Nally said.
"Music has a unique way of bringing people together, building a shared sense of community, and creating friendships that I hope will last far beyond this trip."
Coláiste Chiáráin will now welcome students from La Salle High School to Athlone in October of this year, as both schools look to build further upon the educational and cultural links that have already been formed.