Crana College marks 100 years with celebrations that honour past and future

A centenary of any kind only ever happens once, and the opportunity to celebrate such a milestone is one that must be embraced - and Crana College certainly did so throughout the year.
That spirit has been evident across Buncrana in recent months, as Crana College opened its doors and spared no effort to ensure that not only 1925 and 2025, but also the many years in between, were properly honoured and remembered.
The school first opened in 1925, at a time when secondary schools were a rarity. Although it is now a fully fledged secondary school, Crana College originally opened as a vocational school, with a strong focus on agricultural and technological skills.
Despite plans being in place for many years, it was a 20-year lease of the present Greenbay furniture shop on Main Street that finally allowed the school to open its doors for the first time, with dedicated facilities for Home Economics, Commerce and Woodwork.
Fast forward to 2025 and the school continues to thrive, with more than 600 students now enrolled, a dedicated campus boasting over 30 classrooms, and a strong reputation for both academic achievement and extracurricular excellence.
That growth was on full display at a centenary gala dinner held in April, where attendees enjoyed a four-course meal, entertainment and an evening to reflect on the many hundreds of staff and thousands of students who have passed through the school’s doors.
Crana College’s reputation for extracurricular development was especially evident during this year’s celebrations, most notably at the centenary concert held in St Mary’s Hall in November. The event showcased the musical, dancing and acting talents of past and present pupils, featuring performances from the school’s traditional music group, solo pieces from alumni and current students, and scenes from a selection of the school’s much-loved musicals.

Photo Gallery: Photos from Crana College Centenary Concert in November

The celebrations did not end there, however, as the school also launched its own commemorative book charting the past 100 years. The publication explores the school’s history decade by decade and photo by photo, preserving the stories of former pupils and staff alike.

Kevin Cooley, principal, and Philip McGuinness, vice-principal, at the launch of a photographic exhibition to mark the 100th anniversary of Crana College back in April. 

In the opening pages, current principal Kevin Cooley wrote: “I feel an immense sense of pride and gratitude to serve as principal of this remarkable school at such a special moment in its history.”
Deputy principal Phillip McGuinness added: “It is a great honour and privilege to serve as Deputy Principal of Crana College, particularly during this very special centenary year. As the first past pupil to hold the role, this milestone holds particular significance for me both personally and professionally.”
Fellow deputy principal Sinead Anderson reflected on how privileged she has been to “witness and contribute to the development of many cohorts of students who arrived at Crana College as young first-years and left as mature, confident and well-educated adults.”
While much of the focus this year has been on the school’s proud past, it also naturally prompts questions about its future - particularly the planned Three School Campus, which is set to become the new home of ‘the Tech’ and, it is hoped, will be fully operational before the end of the decade, educating the next generation of young, ambitious students.