'It is a great privilege': New Principal appointed of historic Ennis school St Flannan's

The Board of Management of St Flannan’s College has announced the appointment of Donal Cahir as Principal of the historic Ennis school.

Mr Cahir, a native of Kilnamona in Clare, first joined the staff of St Flannan’s in 1999 as a teacher before being appointed Deputy Principal in 2017.

He said, “It is a great privilege and honour to lead a school that has been such a central part of my life for the past 27 years. Having served as Deputy Principal for the past eight years, I have greatly valued working as part of the senior management team and look forward to building on that experience in this role.”

“St Flannan’s College has a proud history dating back to the mid-19th century, with a rich heritage and a strong Catholic ethos that underpins everything we do,” added Mr Cahir. “As Principal, I am committed to honouring and safeguarding that tradition, while also guiding the school’s continued development as a modern, forward-looking centre of learning for the future.”

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Bishop of Killaloe and Patron of St Flannan's College, Fintan Monahan said, “I am absolutely delighted at the appointment of Donal as Principal. His long association with the school has given him a deep knowledge of its traditions, ethos and values, and he has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to the interests of the school community.”

“Donal’s dedication to students and staff alike, together with his experience and understanding of St Flannan’s College, will stand him in excellent stead as he takes on this important role,” he added. “I extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes to him, and every blessing as he assumes the principalship of the Diocesan College, which holds such a proud and significant place in the life and tradition of the Diocese of Killaloe.”

Leonard Cleary, Chairperson of the St Flannan’s College Board of Management, said, “On behalf of the entire school community, including the Patron, the Diocese of Killaloe, our Trustees, parents, teachers and students, I wish to warmly congratulate Donal on his appointment as Principal. This is a particularly exciting time for the school, with a range of important developments underway, and it is also a significant period for education nationally.”

Mr Cleary also paid tribute to the outgoing and retiring Principal Fr Ignatius McCormack. 

He continued, “Having given many years of dedicated service to St Flannan’s College as both a teacher and Principal, I want to thank Fr Ignatius sincerely for his outstanding leadership over the past eight years and for his deep commitment to the school community.”

St Flannan’s College, which takes its name from the 7th-century patron saint of the Dál gCais, can trace its origins back to Springfield House in 1846, before it relocated to the current school 30 years later. The school underwent a significant expansion during the 1960s and again in 2003, with the development of a new wing featuring extensive new facilities. Co-educational classes were introduced in 2002.

Mr Cahir’s appointment comes at a significant moment in the ongoing development of the school.  The first phase of a significant expansion of the historic campus was opened in September. Once fully completed, the 2,500 sq m development will comprise special educational needs facilities and general educational spaces, including classrooms, science rooms, and a construction studies room. The expansion is supported by the Department of Education and is regarded as a prototype rapid build project, which could be replicated elsewhere throughout Ireland.

Visit www.stflannanscollege.ie for more.