Council Chair hosts reception for 30th anniversary of Erne Integrated College
21st March 2025
Recently the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John McClaughry, hosted a reception to mark the 30th anniversary of Erne Integrated College.
The following is a copy of the speech made by the Chair at the reception:
Good evening Councillors, ladies and gentlemen,
As Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, I am delighted to welcome you all here to The Townhall, Enniskillen for this reception to mark the 30th anniversary of Erne Integrated College, Enniskillen.
The impetus for integrated education in Enniskillen came about following the Enniskillen Bomb in 1987 which saw the opening of Enniskillen Integrated Primary School in September 1989.
Erne Integrated College opened its doors in September 1994 to provide an opportunity for young people to continue integrated education beyond Primary School.
The College opened in a former Older People’s Home in Silverhill Manor with the first Principal, the late Mr tom Noble, 7 teachers, a secretary and 55 pupils.
In 1995, the school moved to its current location at Drumcoo with 85 pupils enrolled to start in September of that year. In May 2019, a new sporting and study facility in memory of Tom Noble, was opened by World Champion Boxer and NI Council for Integrated Education Patron, Carl Frampton.
Over the 30 years of the School, it has gone from strength to strength with a current enrolment number of 342 and offering a range of study options as well as extra-curricular activities.
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to ensuring that our young people have the best start in life and lifelong opportunities to learn. Education helps to achieve this by setting the foundation for a successful future by providing opportunities to achieve full potential both academically and socially.
Integrated education also aims to foster positive social attitudes, preparing students for a diverse world and promoting equality and inclusivity. This ultimately benefits the individual and society and further helps to ensure we achieve our priority.
I would like to commend all past and present Principals, Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff and pupils for the contribution you have made to the successful history of Erne Integrated College. The school has produced hundreds of stories of academic, sporting and musical achievements and you have all played your part in this. I am confident that this will continue in the future.
On behalf of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and on my own behalf, I would like to wish everyone at Erne Integrated College continued success for the future.
Thank you.