Founder’s vision for college praised
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Rita White, wife of late former teacher, Tom White; Lizzie Moylan, wife of late former caretaker, Michael Moylan; Maura Guilfoyle, wife of late former teacher, Sean Guilfoyle; Derry Dunne, former teacher; Michael Nash, former teacher; Andy Purcell, former teacher; John Brounder, former principal; Elaine Carey, daughter of late founding principal, Dan Cotter; Tom Hughes, former principal; Jerry Boland, former teacher, and Cyril Gleeson, former teacher at the 70th Anniversary of Newport College.Image 2 of 5
Board of Management of Newport College, Donal Carey, Principal, Caitriona O’Brien, Francis Bourke, Cllr Fiona Bonfield, chairperson, Cllr John ‘Rocky’ McGrath, Chairperson, Municipal Area, Martin Guilfoyle, Claire O’Sullivan, Deputy Principal, Ursula Porter and Linda Kiely.Image 3 of 5
Caoimhe Lee, Sarah Delaney, Jane Keating, Katie Hayes, Michelle McMahon, and Meghan Ryan of the teaching staff at Newport College at the 70th anniversary of the founding.Image 4 of 5
Some of the older surviving former staff at Newport College, attending the 70th Anniversary, Derry Dunne, Michael Nash, Cyril Gleeson and Jerry Boland.Image 5 of 5
Former principal, Newport College, Tom Hughes, meets up with one of his former students at the college, Michelle Healy at the 70th anniversary celebration.The vision and foresight of a parish priest who campaigned to have enhanced educational facilities provided for the benefit of his parishioners, has been recalled decades after he passed to his eternal reward.
The legacy of the late Very Rev Thomas Canon Mulvihill, PP, to the parish of Newport and beyond was brought to the fore at Newport College's celebration marking the 70th anniversary of its founding at the weekend.
Surviving teachers at the college over the seven decades mingled with some of their former students and a small number of the original class of 1954 were present for the joyous occasion.
Viewing a large exhibition of memorabilia, comprising of many photographs of students who had passed through the college over the years, scores of press cuttings and some of the manual typewriters used by the early students of the commercial classes engaged those in attendance for hours of nostalgia and reminiscing.
Donal Carey, Principal of Newport College, described it as 70 years “of growth and cherished memories” since the securing of the second level school for Newport in 1954.
“Seventy years ago a vision was formed by Fr Thomas Mulvihill, parish priest of Newport at that time, and Tipperary VEC, a vision of an institution dedicated to nurturing young minds, fostering a love for learning, and preparing students to face the challenges of the world with courage and resilience,” Principal Carey said.
“That vision became a reality, and over the decades, our school has become a beacon of knowledge, a hub of innovation, and a sanctuary of growth and development for all who have walked through its halls,” he added.
He told the gathering: “The journey of the past seven decades has been filled with triumphs and challenges, with moments of joy and moments of sorrow, but through it all, our school has remained steadfast in its commitment to our core values of excellence in education, care, respect and community. It has been a place where friendships were forged, where dreams were nurtured, and where the seeds of a brighter future were planted in the hearts of generations of students.
“As we look back on the rich tapestry of history that our school represents, we are reminded of the countless individuals who have contributed to its success - the visionary founders who laid the groundwork for what would become a renowned institution, the dedicated teachers and staff who have poured their hearts and souls into shaping young minds, the supportive parents and families who have stood by their children every step of the way, and of course, the students themselves, whose passion, curiosity, and thirst for knowledge have brought life and energy to our school community.”
He paid tribute to those who have held the position of principal of the school over the decades, Dan Cotter, Seamus Fogarty, John Daffy, Tom Hughes, John Brouder, Linda Kiely and Clodagh Kelly.
The opening of the Technical School under North Tipperary VEC provided the opportunity locally for second level education for boys for the first time, culminating with the awarding of the Department of Education Group Certificate to those successful in the formal written examination at the completion of the two-year full-time day course.
The school pioneered practical instruction in both horticulture and livestock breeding and management serving the mainly agricultural rural community within which it was based for the farmers sons attending day classes.
The courses provided also included instruction in engineering and building construction through the day courses for students and evening classes for adults from the surrounding hinterland, which was the realisation of the founder’s dream at a time when such ‘hands-on’ education and advise was not readily available within the rural areas of the country.
Over time the school continued to grow in scale and breath of educational courses on the curriculum. The name changed to St Joseph's College and in recent years to Newport College where nowadays more than 350 students graduate to Leaving Certificate.
The gathering was a rolling back of the decades. The original team of four teachers have passed away but memories of the foundation which they laid has lived on as their identities are revered.
For surviving past teachers, and a representative gathering of the students who have passed through over the decades, the celebration was a milestone evening of renewing acquaintances and recalling memories and more memories.