Council Chair hosts a reception for Gaelscoil na gCrann Primary School

Recently the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John McClaughry, hosted a reception for Gaelscoil na gCrann Primary School in recognition of winning the All Ireland Schools Drama competition and Best Irish Medium School in Ireland.

The following is a copy of the speech made by the Chair at the reception:

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls

As Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, I am delighted to welcome you all here to Strule Arts Centre, Omagh for this reception in honour of Gaelscoil na gCrann’s All Ireland Schools’ Drama Champions.

I understand your play was entitled ‘Titanic – The Best Ship Ever Built’ and it told the story of this iconic ship however, I believe you also teased the audience about who was responsible for its tragic end.

Following, I would imagine, months of rehearsals, you performed on the stage here in Strule Arts Centre at the North West Schools’ Final where you came Runner Up.  This earned you a place in the Ulster Final where you won your category and you were deservedly nominated to represent Ulster at the All Ireland Finals.  I understand one of the P7 pupils also won Best Actor which is an outstanding achievement.

At the All Ireland Final you competed in the largest category with schools from Cork, Donegal, Carlow, Clare and Galway.  Following a faultless performance against tough competition, you won your category to be crowned All Ireland champions.  This was a fantastic achievement, however, you went one better as you also won the Best Irish Medium School in Ireland.

Drama is an excellent way to allow out young people to explore cultural values past and present, express emotions, gain confidence and develop creativity and verbal skills.  These are valuable attributes which will benefit you as you go through school and college as well as in the workplace and socially.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to ensuring our young people have the best start in life and schools such as Gaelcsoil na gCrann that provide our young people with opportunities such as this help us to achieve this.

I would like to commend Risteard, your Vice Principal and Teacher, who was also responsible for writing and directing the play and teaching you the skills to perform.  I would like to thank you for sharing your expertise with the pupils and for giving them the opportunity to develop their skills, participate in the competition and experience this great success.

I would like to commend all the pupils for your hard work and commitment to learn the lines and to have the courage to performance on stage in front of large audiences and at an All Ireland level.  You have done yourselves, your school, your county and your District proud.

On behalf of Fermanagh and Omah District Council, and on my own behalf, I would like to congratulate all those who were involved in winning the two All Ireland titles and I wish the School every success for the future.

Thank you.