St Kevin’s celebrate 40 great years serving Kilnamanagh
By Mary Dennehy
BEFORE finishing up for the summer holidays, St Kevin’s Boy’s National School marked its 40th anniversary – with a month of celebration.
The Kilnamanagh-based school opened its doors in 1976 with 139 pupils, reaching 910 students at its peak in the late eighties – a massive growth which was reflected across many Tallaght schools.
Now, the school has 350 students who are taught by a team of 16 teachers, who, along with parents, past staff and the wider community, have helped to build the school into an integral part of Kilnamanagh.
Over the month-long celebration in June a diverse range of activities were held such as St Kevin’s Bake-Off, a fun walk, a big school clean-up, a sports day and the staging of a commemorative play written especially for the 40th anniversary by two sixth class students, Jake Bush and Sean Mulligan.
The school’s senior hurling team also played in the Cumann na mBunscoil semi-final in the middle of the celebrations, which was a nice connection to the school’s under-11 team in 1986 who also reached Croke Park.
An Open Evening was held on June 27 during which visitors had the chance to browse through old photographs, school memorabilia and roll books, alongside sharing memories and meeting-up with former classmates and staff.
Retired principal Liam MacMathuna, who opened the school in 1976, was also presented with a commemorative medal.
Current principal James Murray told The Echo: “We were delighted with how the celebrations went and it was great to see so many past students call in to see us and recount stories from their time in the school.
“We also got so many well-wishes from past staff members and the wider community, and it really is great to work in a school that has such strong ties to its surrounding community.
“The school prides itself on a being a happy school and we offer children as much opportunity as possible for their personal growth and academic studies.
“Over the years, the school has grown into an integral part of the community and I would like to thank all of the loyal staff over the decades and parents for their support – and of course, all of the children that have come through the doors.”
A Garda medal was also presented to the school by community Garda Derek Reilly and Garda Micheál Groarke, which acknowledge the support given to the community gardaí by local children and the Kilnamanagh community over the past four decades.
