The community of Granard and surrounding Parishes came together to celebrate 75 years of continuous education in Cnoc Mhuire on Thursday, November 24. The concert dubbed, 'Time to Remember', was held in St Mary’s Church, where Fr Simon Cadam opened the proceedings with a warm welcome. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO It was a night of music, reflection, poetry and story telling, produced and directed by Cnoc Mhuire Music Teacher Petrina Mills. It brought together staff, past and present, pupils past and present and parents on a trip down memory lane. Guests on the night, Antóin Mac Gabhann, Noel Monaghan, Sr Maeve Brady, Philomena Coyle, Una Tierney, Kathleen Beatty and Moira Mahon spoke movingly about their connection to the school and the impact that Cnoc Mhuire had on their lives. The vision of the Pioneering Sisters of Mercy in starting a school in Granard was praised highly by the guest speakers. The founding Sisters, Clement and Patrick, were sent off to train as teachers and when they returned in 1947 opened a school for girls called Cnoc Mhuire in Granard. It was a tough time and despite regular Department of Education inspections Sr Clement did not receive a salary for 15 months. The Sisters offered a wide curriculum and attracted girls from the Parishes surrounding Granard. The girls were joined by boys in 1959, more Sisters and lay teachers were added to the staff. Without doubt the founding Sisters would have been proud of the present crop of students who entertained us on the night. The Transition Year group and Senior music classes performed a fantastic range of music. Ademus by Karl Jenkins opened the evening and was followed by Shostakovich prelude performed by Daniel Safarik and Mathilda Vollmer. Brendan Reilly’s slow air Parting of Friends reminded the audience of absent friends. Zoe Lynch and Aoibheann Ginny sang a beautiful duet “Somewhere only we know” and Erin Ross sang the first traditional air of the evening, Sweet Inis Carra. Amy Mellon, Anna Maria Mihai and Leon Schwartz performed
PICTURES | 'Time to Remember' in north Longford as large crowd enjoys Cnoc Mhuire Granard 75th anniversary concert
Caption: Daniel Safarik and Mathilda Vollmer performing during the Cnoc Mhuire, Granard ‘Time to Remember’ 75th anniversary concert in St Mary’s Church, Granard last Thursday evening Picture: Shelley Corcoran
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Caption: The Cnoc Mhuire, Granard Transition Year choir Picture: Shelley Corcoran
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Caption: Ella Grant on keyboard at the Cnoc Mhuire, Granard ‘Time to Remember’ 75th anniversary concert in St Mary’s Church last Thursday evening Picture: Shelley Corcoran
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Caption: St Mary’s Church, Granard played host to a special concert entitled ‘Time to Remember’ last Thursday evening to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Cnoc Mhuire, Granard and pictured performing is the school's Transition Year Choir Picture: Shelley Corcoran
