Coláiste Dún an Rí held its 2nd annual Evening of Excellence Awards ceremony, on Tuesday 22nd May. It was the frirat time the awards ceremony took place wihin our new state of the art school. The special guest on the evening was Ms. Catherina McKiernan. Ms. McKiernan is a former long-distance runner for Ireland, who competed in the marathon, 10,000 metres and cross country running. She attended in the company of   Mr. Clifford Kelly Chairperson CMETB, Mr Sean McKiernan, David Crosby, members of the Parents’ Association, Board of Management, parents, family members and other invited guests, the students were recognised for their outstanding contribution to a myriad of extra-curricular activities that they participated in throughout the year.  In her address to the students, Catherina praised them for all that they had achieved in such a short period of time. She also gave an insightful analogy on her recipe for success. She outlined to students that if they engage with the various ingredients needed for her recipe they have an opportunity within Coláiste Dún an Rí to be very successful in the future.

Throughout the course of the evening, students were called to the stage to accept an award for his or her contribution to a sporting discipline-GAA, soccer, golf, athletics, badminton etc.-the BT Young Scientist Competition, SCi Fest, drama, music, lunch-time Clubs, or for their positive contribution to life in the school. Other speakers on the night praised both the students and staff for the positivity they have generated in and around the town of Kingscourt and wished all every success going forward.  Principal Mr Fergal Boyle ended the evening by thanking everyone for attending the event and commended all – especially students and staff-who had contributed in any small way to the wonderful success the school had in its second year.

Principal, Mr. Fergal Boyle, Ms. Catherina McKiernan, Ms. Carol lynch and Deputy Principal Mr. Tommy McCormick

Deputy Principal, Tommy McCormick, Chairperson CMETB, Cllr. Clifford Kelly, Ms Catherina McKiernan, Cathaoirleach Paddy Mc Donald, Principal, Fergal Boyle and Sean McKiernan

Mr Fergal Boyle addresses the audience.

Students pictured holding their medals accompanied by Ms McKiernan

School Choir with a rendition of "This is me" from the Greatest Showman

Aaron Kenedy speaks about his first year in Coláiste Dún an Rí

Mr. David Crosby, Ms. Catherina McKiernan, Cllr Clifford Kelly

1st year Sports Boy of the Year Mateusz Mlodzianowski

1st year Sports Girl of the year Emily McCormack.

2nd year Sports Boy of the year Oisin Byrne

2nd year Sports girl of the year Ava McCaul

Ava McCaul presents Catherina McKiernan with a token of appreciation from staff and students of Coláiste Dún an Rí.

School Choir pictured with Ms Catherina McKiernan, Music teacher Claire O'Reilly and Rev. William Stacey.

On Wednesday 9th May Coláiste Dún an Rí officially opened its doors to Kingscourt and the wider community. Minister for Buisness, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys was present and had the priviledge of cutting the ribbon.

On arrival Minister Humphreys greeted the principal, Mr Fergal Boyle, Deputy principal, Mr Tommy McCormick, CE CMETB, Mr. John Kearney and the Chairperseon of CMETB, Cllr. Clifford Kelly. Minister Humphreys was introduced to each member of staff, followed by the student council as the beautiful music of Kingscourt brass and reed band echoed around the foyer.

Mr. Tommy Mc Cormick welcomed members of the Oirechatas, Senators, Councillors, CMETB staff, students and their parents and also members of the Kingscourt Community to Coláiste Dún an Rí. The choir then led a bautiful rendition of This is Me led by their music teacher Ms. O'Reilly. The prinicpal, Mr Fergal Boyle spoke about the opening of the new school and how we had met many of the objectives we had set out to achieve back in 2016. He continued by making a promise that this would not stop today and we as a school would strive to achive bigger and better things, year on year.

Cllr. Kelly addressed the audience on the history of Coláiste Dún an Rí from its conception 40 years ago to the realisation of todays progress. He thanked many members of the local community, councillors, TDs and various CEs of CMETB, past and present in helping him achieve a lifelong dream of having a school in Kingscourt.

Student council representative Shanice Alwell-Meegan told us about life in Coláiste Dún an Rí before the arrival of the new school and how they had grown within their temporary accomodation, both academically and socially and were sad to leave it behind before the move to our current building. However, these feelings were shortlived as they began to grown in their new state of the art school. Ilíona McCarthy demonstrated the strong musical ability within the school with a wonderful solo rendition of on the piano. CE CMETB, John Kearney pointed out the wonderful facilities within the building and the hard work that had been invested to deliver these state of the art facilities.

Minister Humphreys outlined many of the achievements the school had achieved in the short space of time since its establishment. Some of those included the outstanding achievements in The Young Scientist and Scifest awards, Ulster champions in handball, Regional winners of the Minor basketball league and the endless accolades achieved in athletics and cross country. She paid tribute to the hard work of the principal and staff who have made these achievements possibe through their dedication and hardwork. 

After the speakers had concluded the unveiling of the plaque took place. a huge round of applause echoed around the sports hall.  Student Council members, Stephen O Reilly and Ava McEvoy, then made a presentation to Minister Humphreys and Cllr. Kelly before the Principal, Mr Fergal Boyle made a presentation to CMETB ,which was accepted by CE Mr. John Kearney. A presentation was made to former CE Mr. Martin O'Brien in recogntion of his role in securing the school for the region.

Fr. Gerry McCormack, Rev. Willian Steacy and Rev. Daryl Edwards gave a short blessing on the school which concluded the ceremony. The audience proceeded to the front of the school were Minister Humphreys cut the ribbon and declared the school open. The sense of joy on the faces of those in attendance highlighted the sense of relief and happiness that Kingscourt finally had its own second level school.