Centenary Commemoration at SHSS

There was a Centenary Commemoration in the GPR today to remember a decade of centenaries. Organised by Ms Harte, all TYs attended, along with 5th and 6th year History classes.

Tim Crowley, founder of the Michael Collins Centre, was the guest speaker, and he spoke about Michael Collins and the various revolutionary events that took place in the locality 100 years ago.

The ceremony opened with a beautiful rendition of our national anthem, Amhrán na bhFiann. Aoibhe Daly played piano as the assembled crowd sang. There was also a group of students using sign language to communicate the lyrics. Well done to Sara O Sullivan, Orla Ryan, Laura Daly, Caoimhe McCarthy, Aoife Halligan, Tara Fitzpatrick, and Katelyn O Donovan.

Then, Claire Foyle and Robyn Applebe, who participated in the Thomas F. Meagher competition, made a presentation entitled: What the Irish flag means to me. This was followed by Ide Barry and Roisin Coomey talking about what history means to them. Then there was some lovely music by the SHSS Trad Group and some background information on Michael Collins presented by Orla Moroney and Rhiannon Finney.

Kate Nolan followed this with a speech about the influence of women in Collins’ life, followed by a lovely rendition of ‘Grace’ by Caoilin McCarthy and Roisin O Callaghan.

Ms O Sullivan took to the podium, talking about Collins’ family, as she is the famous revolutionary’s grand-niece. Ciara Brady and Ayesha Ali read a piece by Claire Foyle about how everyday objects remind us of our past , followed by Sinead Crowley and Maeve O Sullivan celebrating how Irish history is immortalised in art, music and poetry.

The guest speaker, local historian Tim Crowley, spoke next, and finally Danica Geaney and Meabh O Sullivan brought things to a close, the event ending with ‘The Ballad of Michael Collins’, performed by Caoilin McCarthy and Roisin O Callaghan.

Huge thanks to Tim Crowley for coming down to share his passion for all things Michael Collins. Well done to Aoibhe Daly for hosting the event, and to TY journalist, Evie Weller, for covering the story.

Finally, huge congratulations to Ms Harte whose creativity and love for history shone through again today.