St Finian's College Awards Evening

‘Find people who share your passions; figure out what it is that gets you animated, what makes you tick, what gets your heart racing,” was the advice that NewsTalk and Virgin Media One journalist Gavan Reilly, from Rathmolyon, County Meath, imparted to students at St Finian’s College as he addressed the attendance at the school’s awards night on Wednesday of last week, September 27.

In that way, he explained, he found his way into his career.

Mr Reilly, a past pupil of St Finian’s, where he was a Schola Cantorum student, revealed that his attendance at the awards was his first time back in the school hall since leaving the school 19 years earlier.

A boarder for the five years he spent at St Finian’s, he said that, in fact, the years spent at secondary school go far more quickly than pupils might realise.

However, he continued, places like St Finian’s are important because of what they instil, and the habits they help people develop.

At the event, academic, leadership/student voice, mentoring, pastoral, musical, sporting, artistic, technological, engineering, scientific and, indeed, many more achievements were honoured in the presence of college patron, Most Rev Tom Deenihan (Bishop of Meath), college president, Very Rev Fr Joseph Gallagher, Very Rev Fr Phil Gaffney (adm Cathedral of Christ the King and Mullingar Parish), Colette Glynn (secretary to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, Executive Committee 2022 and 2023) along with former students, Gavan Reilly, Ellie-Anne Smith and Enda Keating.

John McHale (principal) led the ceremony and gave an overview of the academic year 2022-2023, the highlights, the developments and how schools are an evolving educational process. He highlighted that 29 competitive teams were represented last year in both male and female categories. Additionally, Mr McHale congratulated students on their success in the state examinations and attributed that success to their own hard work, their teachers and the support of their parents.

Entertainment interludes were provided by students and former students. Ellie-Anne Smith (class of 2021) and Enda Keating (class of 2022) performed a stunning rendition of ‘I dreamed a dream’ from Les Misérables. Enda also accompanied Caomhán MacGabhann (recipient of Overall Music Award) with a lovely set of reels. Other talent displayed on the evening was shared by Mollie Darcy (TY), Maeve Hora (fifth year), Alanna Corroon-Glavin (TY), Niamh Farrell, Quyen Bartley, Annie McDonald, Éadaoin Granahan (TY students), Róisín Granahan and Megan Farrell (sixth year).

During the evening, academic awards were presented by Bishop Tom Deenihan. There was a special award to Rachel Tully and Conor Garvey, who achieved the maximum points in the Leaving Certificate. Conor also received the overall Technology and Engineering Award. Ten other students also achieved top results in that category in Leaving Cert 2023: Rachel Tully, Ailish Casey, Ella Burke, Phoebe Cadwaladr, Aobha Corroon, Lucas Lozano, Filip Cielma, David Mican, Arnas Mikuzas and Tobi Abioye.

Class of 2023 graduate Fiona Lawlor, who is studying journalism in NUIG, was the recipient of the Journalism Award, presented by Gavan Reilly.

There were also several music awards presented. Colette Glynn presented an award from the Westmeath County Board of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí na hÉireann to acknowledge the large number of students who participated in county, regional and events during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2022 and 2023.

A new award was also added this year for overall musical contribution, and Caomhán MacGabhann (Schola Cantorum student) was the recipient.

Recipients of the President’s Prize for Outstanding Positive Contribution to their year group were Simon Greville and Zofia Bielicka (sixth year), Owen McMahon and Dervla Buckley (fifth year), Ethan Heitmuller and Laura Jarmonlinska (third year) and Dylan Gaffney and Olivia Babiarz (second year).

Sports coordinator Ms S Doran led the sports awards with presentations made by coaches A Ryan, R Coloe, S Campbell, B Higgins, N Sugrue, K McKeon, N Jones, A Dermody and R McHugh.

Mr McHale made a presentation to the U16 boys basketball team (all-Ireland winners) and a special one to their coach, B Higgins. Ryan Bell was the recipient of the U16 basketball award.

St Finian’s Got Talent 2022-2023 winners were also celebrated. The awards were presented by Enda Keating and Ellie-Anne Smith, to Ann Ninan, Lauren McLoughlin, Aisling Harte, Dara Keaveney and Eoin O’Grady.

The BTYSTE (Young Scientists) of 2023, Brian Gaffney and Alanna Corroon-Glavin, received their awards on the evening.

Other awards included the Ember programme, HOUSE, Green Schools, Student Council, mentors, anti-bullying, leadership and attendance.