St Malachy’s High School celebrates 60th anniversary

St Malachy’s High School celebrates 60th anniversary

13 November 2019

CASTLEWELLAN’S St Malachy’s High School has celebrated 60 years of education at the heart of the community.

Last Sunday, the town’s St Malachy’s Church hosted a special anniversary event to mark the opening of the Dublin Road school in 1959.

Past and present staff and students joined invited guests for a celebration Mass led by Bishop Noel Treanor and Fr Denis McKinlay.

During the service, a number of students and staff took part in the liturgy, enriched by beautiful music led by the school’s music department.

In 1959, the Castlewellan intermediate school was among the first of a new breed of post primaries to open with the ‘old school’, as it is affectionately known, serving the community well for over 40 years before it was replaced with an ultra-modern campus in 2000.

In November 1959, former vice-principal Sr Teresa Clancy and former principal Mr Dan Rooney were two teachers early in their careers in St Malachy’s and were there at the official opening of the first school, as was another member of staff in 1959, Mr Hugh Killen. 

Previous principals, sadly no longer alive, included Sr Leonard, Mr Danny Flynn and Mr Paddy McAleenan. 

In attendance at Sunday’s celebrations were other esteemed previous principals, Mr Des Farley, Mrs Nuala Cunningham and Mrs Joan McCombe.

They were thanked by the current principal, Mrs Orla O’Neill, for their “vision, effort and commitment” that has made St Malachy’s the wonderful school it is today. 

After the service, a special 60th anniversary plaque was unveiled by Sr Teresa and Mr Rooney. 

Past principals, vice-principals and teachers were also in attendance to commemorate the school’s 60 years at the heart of the community.

A special display of photographs from 1959 until the present day was also available for guests to enjoy and reminisce, while memorabilia and school teaching tools and objects were on display, bringing back many fond memories for staff and students alike. 

Refreshments were enjoyed by all including a specially made anniversary cake which was cut

by some of the pupils who were present in 1959 at the official opening of St Malachy’s High School.

Sunday’s event has been described as a “wonderful celebration” with those who attended enjoying meeting past friends and chatting to their teachers.