Donegal college with Dundalk links celebrates 100 year anniversary
There were great celebrations at Coláiste Bhríde in Rann na Feirste recently as the college marked the 100th anniversary of its founding in Rann na Feirste, County Donegal, in 1926.
Donegal college Coláiste Bhríde celebrated its 100 year anniversary recently.
Coláiste Bhríde holds a long-standing association with Louth, which continues to this day.
This year alone, schools in the Dundalk area contributed the highest number of attendees to the college, with more than 200 students from the area taking part. Similar numbers from Dundalk have been attending for many years.
Students are transported to the college by Bus Feda, a company run by Brian O'Donnell, whose great-grandfather, Donnachadh, built the original college buildings in Rann na Feirste.
Many former secretaries and treasurers of the college also came from County Louth.
Both the present chairperson, Niall Ó Sluáin, a native of Haggardstown, and the current treasurer, Frank Ó Maoláin, from Newtownbalregan, have strong local connections.
The Dundalk branch of Conradh na Gaeilge was also well represented in Rann na Feirste over the weekend, with many committee members and friends travelling to join in the celebrations.
The centenary celebrations included a concert followed by a celebratory dinner the next day.
Among the performers was Dundalk man Jimmy Johnston, who had worked as a dancing teacher at the college for many years.
During the concert, he performed his own Irish- language composition, Sarah, a song that had been a big hit with students down through the years.
Another Dundalk man and former student, renowned fiddle player Dónal O'Connor, also graced the stage with some virtuoso fiddle playing.
On the second day of the celebrations a crowd of close to 200 people took part in a guided walk around the area, visiting the site of the original college, the old swimming pool and other places of interest. A painting exhibition and visits to the college museum also formed part of the morning's programme.
In the afternoon, a comprehensive history of the college was launched, entitled Ar Theacht an tSamhraidh,.
The book was officially launched by Dundalk native Mr Feargal Ó Coigligh, Secretary General of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Gaeltacht. Mr Ó Coigligh is a past pupil and former ceannaire (student leader) of Coláiste Bhríde.
The Conradh na Gaeilge building at 5 Seatown Place, Dundalk, also has a long-standing connection with the college.
During the early years of Coláiste Bhríde, student applications were sent there, both when the college's founder, Fr. Lorcan Ó Muirí, was in charge and later when Pádraig Ó hUallacháin served as college secretary.
The Dundalk branch of Conradh na Gaeilge was also well represented in Rann na Feirste over the weekend, with many committee members and friends travelling to join in the celebrations.