St Dominic’s school celebrate 60th anniversary in some style

By Maurice Garvey

ST DOMINIC’S secondary school in Ballyfermot enjoyed a special 60th year anniversary celebration on Saturday night.

Dominican sisters, members of the Board of Management, past and present staff, students and parents gathered to celebrate the occasion at the Red Cow Moran Hotel.

On arrival, guests were welcomed and charmed by a selection of music from the school’s quartet and were later entertained by a musical extravaganza from present and past students.

Past student Karen Byrne and her dancing partner Des Cahill from RTE’s Dancing with the Stars, made a guest appearance.

Karen was “overwhelmed by the support from the school” during her 10 weeks on the hit show, and was delighted to meet many of her former teachers.

Sr Máire Kealy, one of the first Dominican Sisters to travel to Ballyfermot in 1953, brought attendees on a journey down memory lane.

She talked of the school establishing roots in the area, it’s growth, and how the Dominican campus was one of the largest schools in Europe in the 1950s.

Past student Treasa Ní Dhársaigh said: “St Dominic’s has served Ballyfermot well and it was great to celebrate with so many friends from generations of past students. It was a great night which proves that the spirit of Ballyfermot is strong in the lives of so many girls who value the difference St Dominic’s made to them.”

Board of Management member and Head of HR in Allianz Worldwide Care Claire Cusack, congratulated school staff on their commitment to the young girls which has “ensured high retention rates and a high progression rate to further and higher education.”

Principal Mary Daly said: “It was a night to rekindle friendships from the past, and we are all now looking forward to the visit of President Michael D Higgins on May 4.”