PICTURES | 'Time to Remember' in north Longford as large crowd enjoys Cnoc Mhuire Granard 75th anniversary concert

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The community of Granard and surrounding Parishes came together to celebrate 75 years of continuous education in Cnoc Mhuire on Thursday, November 24.

The concert dubbed, 'Time to Remember', was held in St Mary’s Church, where Fr Simon Cadam opened the proceedings with a warm welcome. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO

It was a night of music, reflection, poetry and story telling, produced and directed by Cnoc Mhuire Music Teacher Petrina Mills.

It brought together staff, past and present, pupils past and present and parents on a trip down memory lane.

Guests on the night, Antóin Mac Gabhann, Noel Monaghan, Sr Maeve Brady, Philomena Coyle, Una Tierney, Kathleen Beatty and Moira Mahon spoke movingly about their connection to the school and the impact that Cnoc Mhuire had on their lives.

The vision of the Pioneering Sisters of Mercy in starting a school in Granard was praised highly by the guest speakers.

The founding Sisters, Clement and Patrick, were sent off to train as teachers and when they returned in 1947 opened a school for girls called Cnoc Mhuire in Granard.

It was a tough time and despite regular Department of Education inspections Sr Clement did not receive a salary for 15 months.

The Sisters offered a wide curriculum and attracted girls from the Parishes surrounding Granard. The girls were joined by boys in 1959, more Sisters and lay teachers were added to the staff.

Without doubt the founding Sisters would have been proud of the present crop of students who entertained us on the night.

The Transition Year group and Senior music classes performed a fantastic range of music.

Ademus by Karl Jenkins opened the evening and was followed by Shostakovich prelude performed by Daniel Safarik and Mathilda Vollmer. Brendan Reilly’s slow air Parting of Friends reminded the audience of absent friends.

Zoe Lynch and Aoibheann Ginny sang a beautiful duet “Somewhere only we know” and Erin Ross sang the first traditional air of the evening, Sweet Inis Carra.

Amy Mellon, Anna Maria Mihai and Leon Schwartz performed a great Coldplay number.

This was followed by an instrumental number, Tico Tico, played by Eileen Boyle, Niamh Kieran and Ella Grant.

This Group got the audience tapping and clapping in time.

A beautiful number, When We Were Young, sung by Charlotte Mc Govern and Deborah Odebunmi brought the house to its feet and the accompanying slide show by former teacher, Mick Conlan, reminded all of special memories associated with Cnoc Mhuire.

The season of Advent was acknowledged by bringing a lit candle to the altar and the instrumental version of O Come Emmanuel played by Miss Mills and Enya Higgins reminded those watching on that Christmas is around the corner.

The final part of the evening was a delightful and lively section with no less than 2 ceili bands, The Mullahoran Set and the past pupils and past teachers Ceili band.

It was an engrossing evening that will live long in the memory of both participants and those who were in attendance.

And, not surprisingly, both musical groups were given a rousing reception as the evening gradually began to wind down.

The final songs were sung by Daire Madden, Flicker and Grace and Erin Ross ,Winter Fire and Snow.

The evening came to a close with the full TY class and Senior Music students exhorting to the well known power ballad by Avril Lavigne of Keep Holding On.

Principal Pauline McBrien thanked all who helped make it such a wonderful evening but she reserved her most fulsome praise for Petrina Mills and her entire staff for their work and enthusiasm.