Coláiste Chiaráin to enter cultural exchange with Providence school

A group of 11 students from Coláiste Chiaráin are looking forward to traveling to the United States of America this coming March as part of an international performing arts and cultural exchange with La Salle High School, Providence, Rhode Island.

The students will travel as part of a bigger group traveling from Athlone to Providence for St. Patrick’s Weekend celebrations.

Students from Coláiste Chiaráin will be paired with students from La Salle High School and they will stay with their respective host families. Activities in Providence will involve a performance in City Hall, experiencing a typical day in an American high school, taking part in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and visiting local attractions.

Athlone and Providence were officially twinned in 2025. Back in August, a delegation from Athlone traveled to Providence and it was there that Ms. Nally met with management of La Salle High School to discuss a possible exchange. Regular meetings have taken place online to bring this exchange to fruition.

Over the August Bank Holiday weekend, Athlone welcomed a delegation from Providence, Rhode Island, led by Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan, for a civic reception and dinner to mark their return visit for the official twinning of Athlone and Providence.

Councilwoman Ryan and her husband Mr. Thomas J. Ryan, accompanied by twinning committee secretary on the Athlone side, John Henson visited Coláiste Chiaráin during this time.

Principal Mr. Brendan Waldron and music teacher, Ms. Lucy Nally will accompany the students.

When asked about the exchange, Ms. Lucy Nally said : “I am very excited about this new opportunity for students, it is the first of its kind in Athlone and surrounding areas. We have 11 students traveling, who are a credit to their families. They are all individually very talented singers, dancers, instrumentalists and orators.

"I know they will represent their families, our school and our town very well. I want to thank Cllr. Aengus O’Rourke, chair of the twinning committee, and of course John Henson, secretary of the twinning committee, for support in organising this exchange."

“We are really looking forward to the opportunity for our school to forge links with La Salle High School in Providence," Mr Waldron added. "As two Catholic schools in towns who are twinned, we share a common heritage and this unique exchange will be a fantastic cultural experience for our students."