Kinvara school visit for Tánaiste

TÁNAISTE and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan was in Kinvara last week where she visited St Joseph’s National School and Seamount College.

Minister Coughlan performed the official opening of the new outdoor sports complex, which was developed in partnership with Galway County Council at a cost of €410,000 and consists of a state-of-the-art AstroTurf and tennis courts for both school and community use.
Speaking at the opening, the Tánaiste said there is a great history of education in St Joseph’s and continued, “This community deserves great praise for providing and supporting a quality education to many generations of families during all of those years”.
Commenting on the new state-of-the-art facilities, the Tánaiste said, “Physical exercise and sport are vital elements of a balanced lifestyle and develop character, teamwork and leadership.
“Participation in sport is a central part of the education of all pupils and the positive attitudes to physical well-being nurtured in schools can continue to flourish through regular participation all during life.”
St Joseph’s has acquired its third Green Flag and is very involved with sports, including hurling, football and athletics, where the school recently won the South Galway Boys Gaelic football seven-a-side competition. There is also a strong tradition of music at the school, where all children are encouraged to play a musical instrument.
The Tánaiste acknowledged the contribution of the principal, Dominic Gallagher and his dedicated staff and praised the parents for their support of both the children and school.
“It is heartening that you are taking such a great interest in your children’s education and that you fully recognise the importance of your support for the school. I commend your dedication and community spirit,” she said.
Later in the day, the Tánaiste visited Seamount College in Kinvara, where she addressed pupils and met with members of the college’s board of management. Staff and pupils of Seamount College gave a warm welcome to An Tánaiste when she visited the school and addressed them.
Traditional musicians greeted her arrival with musical arrangements and sang The Homes of Donegal in her honour. The principal of the school, Maighréad Mhic Dhomhnaill, acknowledged An Tánaiste’s ongoing support for the school and for being so informed about the needs of pupils in relation to second-level education in South Galway and North Clare.
“This was a wonderful and historic day for the teaching staff, the ancillary staff and the students of Seamount College. The Tánaiste made a huge impression on all those who met her and in particular our Leaving Certificate students as she spoke about career choices and different paths of life. Her visit to Kinvara will be remembered for a long time to come,” commented the principal.
The Tánaiste concluded her visit with a meeting with representatives of the board of management to discuss the development of Seamount College into the future.