GAA President attends annual awards ceremony at Offaly school

Coláiste Naomh Cormac was honoured to be joined by Jarlath Burns, President of the GAA, at our Annual Awards Ceremony, where we celebrated the outstanding achievements of our students across a range of disciplines. The event began with an inspiring opening address by past pupil Enda Callaghan, Naughton Scholar.

Awards for LOETB Excellence in Education and LOETB Excellence in Core Values were presented by Linda Tynan, LOETB Director of Schools, to students from both the Leaving Cert and Junior Cert classes of 2024. In recognition of academic achievement, Ciara Kilmartin and John Troy were honoured for their exceptional results in the Leaving Cert, while Megan McIntyre and Eoin Lambe were recognised for their achievements at Junior Cycle level. Clodagh Murphy received the LOETB Excellence in Core Values Award.

The President’s Award is a self-development programme for young people aged 14-25. It is a direct challenge from the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, to all young people to dream big and realise their potential. Gaisce Participants achieve a Gaisce Award by completing Challenge Areas: Personal Skill, Physical Recreation, Community Involvement, and an Adventure Journey. This year, 13 students were presented their Gaisce Award by past pupil and TD Carol Nolan.

The Mary Bracken Award for Creativity was awarded to Jorja Guinan, with special recognition from the Bracken family. Attendance awards were also celebrated, with Christopher Charles, Conor Heffernan, MJ Hynes, and Cliona Mannion achieving perfect attendance. Cliona Mannion and Paul Tallon received the prize of a bicycle for their outstanding attendance records.

The Arthur Hynes Memorial Cup, awarded for contribution to the music life of the school, went to Orla Kilmartin from the Leaving Cert class of 2024. Rian Heffernan, Aoife Gleeson, and Mairead Stephens were recognised by First Year Head Evin Milne for their excellent performance in the entrance exams. Other awards presented included the Fáinne, Maths Certificates, and Gaeltacht Scholarships. Special recognition was also given to our Sci-Fest participants by the Science Department.

A special award was presented in honour of the contribution of Sr Virgilius, past Deputy Principal of the school. The well-deserving recipient of the Spirit of the School Award was Clodagh Murphy. This was presented by the chairperson of the Parents Association, Thomas Moylan

The Sportsperson of the Year Award was presented by Jarlath Burns to Mark Mulrooney and Orla Kilmartin from the Leaving Cert class of 2024.

The ceremony concluded with a moving closing speech by Jarlath Burns, where he was then presented with a specially commissioned 4,600-year-old piece of local big yew by the Principal, Victoria Guinan. The event was a great celebration, marking a proud and inspiring day for the whole school community.