Four hundred past pupils braved the floods in East Galway last weekend to attend the launch of the remarkable 600-page full-colour book marking the centenary of the Presentation Sisters’ arrival in Athenry, and their educational contribution to the town and the wider area.
The book entitled The Story of the Presentation Sisters, Scoil Chroí Naofa and Presentation College, Athenry (1908-2008 ), was edited and compiled by Gerry Ahern and was launched by Galway Bay fm Head of News, broadcasting lecturer, and past pupil, Bernadette Prendergast who was the keynote speaker at the event in the school.
Past and present pupils, teachers, members of the boards of management, and the public attended the event in Athenry as the books flew out the door.
The event was chaired by MC Gerry Cloonan who kept the crowds entertained with his stories of times past in the school.
The impressive tome was compiled after two years work and was designed and printed by Castle Print, Galway.
It also contains a social history of Athenry, 1910-2008, listing all the principal events in the town and parish.
The book costs €30 and is an ideal Christmas gift for past pupils of the school as it contains hundreds of photographs, documents and stories told by pupils, staff and local dignitaries.
It is available from the school and from local bookstores.
This unique and historical publication will be of great interest to thousands of present and past pupils and the general public in the parishes of: Athenry/Newcastle/Derrydonnell, Ryehill/Monivea, Gurteen/Ballymacward, Attymon/Kiltullagh/Killimordaly, Kilconieron, Craughwell/Ballymana, Clarinbridge, Carnmore, Lackagh/Turloughmore, Cregmore/Coolarne, Crumlin/Ballyglunin and Ardrahan/Labane.
