A remembrance garden in honour of sister and brother Thelma and Michael Dennany was officially opened as part of the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of St Cremin’s National School in Multyfarnham.
A large crowd of past pupils and staff joined the current school community for the celebrations, which were held last Friday.
In addition to the official opening of the sensory garden, which was attended by Thelma and Michael’s father and other relatives, Fr Conor Magee celebrated Mass on the school’s astroturf pitch.
St Cremin’s National School opened its doors in September 1973 when Ballinafid, Leney and Multyfarnham national schools were amalgamated.
The original school building consisted of five classrooms; a sixth classroom and a new staffroom were added in the 1990s.
With student numbers on the rise, a significant extension, which included a seventh classroom and three special education rooms, was constructed in 2019, while two years later an eighth classroom was added to meet the needs of the school’s 210 students.
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, school principal Karl Dermody said that Friday’s event was an opportunity “to give thanks to those who have been part St Cremin’s NS journey and look forward to the future education of the children of the parish”. Past pupils and former staff members were among those present.