Proud Presentation, Ballingarry Celebrates 140 Years In Education

History, spirituality and education merged harmoniously in the rural co-educational Presentation Secondary School, Ballingarry in the Slieveardagh Hills, last week as the famed rural academy celebrated 140 years of education in the area with a Special Masson Presentation Day in the school.

It was celebrated by Rev Joe Walshe, CC, School Chaplain, and attended by the local Parish Priest, V. Rev Derry Quirke and by Presentation nuns from various parts of the country.

And an historical highlight of the day was when newly -installed School Principal, Ms Angela Cahill, from Freshford, announced that they had discovered an old leather-bound bible from 1859 which the four nuns who came to Ballingarry on a horse and trap in 1871 brought with them from Thurles.

The school was founded on August 22, 1871 by four nuns who came out from Thurles to Ballingarry and took up residence in what was then the Parochial House, but then became the Convent, and remained so until 1998. Rev Mother Aloysius Green accompanied the four members of the Thurles Community, Mother De Sales Ryan, Mother Regis Croke, Sister Patrick Butler, and Sister Magdalene.

Sr. Teresa Walsh pictured with the school choir at the celebrations to mark the 140th anniversary of the foundation of the Presentation Convent & Secondary School, Ballingarry

The school in Ballingarry developed from being an elementary school to a renowned Boarding School in the 1900s and to a modern voluntary Secondary School of over 300 pupils in the new millennium.

Plans are currently in progress for a new extension which will include a purpose built modern gymnasium.

Ms Cahill in her address stated,” We have been trying to understand why the nuns came over to Ballingarry, why? Why here? And we came to the conclusion it must have been the local people”. She added, “They came to a hardworking community which they would have found very difficult to leave. And so Presentation, Ballingarry, became an obvious location for what was to become a very prestigious Boarding School to which students came from not only all over Ireland but also from all over Europe. None of us wouldbe here today without the foresight of the Presentation Sisters, who came from Thurles to a hardworking determined community which is still with us here today. We salute Nano Nagle (Foundress of the Presentation Order) “One Woman, One Vision, One Dream”

The ceremonies began with an entrance procession with prefects bearing candles into the hall and placing them on the stage. Sister Teresa Walsh, the last working Presentation nun in Ballingarry Secondary, received a light taken from the imposing Paschal Candle and in a symbolic gesture passed the light to Ms Angela Cahill, who lit the candles of the students. The candle was placed into the lantern behind the altar on stage, where there was some lovely artwork, featuring a woman with a lantern.

In an introduction, Patrick Gorey recalled the founding Sisters of the Presentation Congregation, Mary Touhy, Elizabeth Bourke, Mary Ann Collins, and all the Daughters of Light “who have lived the Gospel in the spirit of Nano Nagle over 225 years. Remembered also were the Sisters” who tended to the needs of the people and who brought the Light of Christ through education to the children of Ballingarry”

Sister Patricia Wall, former Principal, did a Reading from the Book of Proverbs, Melony Hayden read a psalm,” In praise of Godly People”. Prayers of the Faithful were by Niall Mockler, Rachel Delaney, Ciara O ‘Connor, Shane Egan. Brian Norton.

The Communion Reflection was read by Sinead Troy. Mark Slattery placed a crystal presentation before the altar “to symbolise partnership and unity in reaching out to all Presentation Sisters across the globe.

Ceri Ann Ellis, Ken Chapman and Daryl Brennan placed artwork, a sports shield and laptop before the altar. Leanna O’Shea placed praying hands before the altar “to symbolise the need for God’s loving presence in our lives”. Ms Angela Cahill, Principal, fittingly read “I am standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before me” “I am stronger for their courage, I am wiser for their words….…

Sister Teresa Walsh and Fr Joe Walsh also addressed the huge assembly of students, parents, teachers and nuns who included Sister Ann Nevin, now in Dublin, and also from Dublin was Sister Kathleen Barrett. And also met Sister Patricia Wall, sister of former All-Ireland winning Tipperary senior Hurling team Captain of 1958, Tony Wall, of Thurles Sarsfields.

Also present was Mr Gerry Dowling, Deputy Principal, and Mr Joseph Moran, Former President of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland(ASTI). Conor O’ Mahony was violinist for the day and the absolutely heavenly- voiced choir comprised of students from First, Second and Fifth Year. Among those thanked were Ms Teresa Regan, Sr. Teresa Walsh, Ms. Margaret Murphy, Mr Billy O ‘Brien.

And full marks to those folks who had a sumptuous repast for all in the warm hospitable manner that is so much a delightful part of the ethos of the Presentation Secondary School in Ballingarry. Bualadh bos doibh uiligh.

Pictured at the celebrations to mark 140th anniversary of the foundation of the Presentation Secondary School, Ballingarry, were (L/R): Sr. Kathleen Barrett, Sr. Patricia Wall (Ballingarry), Sr. Anne Nevin & Ms. Angela Cahill (Principal of Presentation Secondary School, Ballingarry). Sr. Ann is holding a framed photocopy of a page from “Nano Nagle, Her Life, Her Labours and Their Fruits” by William Hutch, DD, St. Colman’s College, Fermoy, Co. Cork

The column would like to pay tribute to that great gentleman and former Principal, Mr Tom Fennessey, who has retired and we wish Ms Angela Cahill, radiant in a Cerise guna on the historic occasion, every good wish in her new role. She is already shining like a gem in the job was the general view in Ballingarry on a lovely day to remember with pride and affection.

Ms Cahill thanked the Presentation Sisters for a framed photo copy of a section of the book, published in 1888,”Nano Nagle, Her life, Her Labours and their Fruits” by the President of St. Colmans College, Fermoy at the time, William Hutch, DD. Mr Gerry Dowling made a presentation to Sister Teresa Walsh, who, incidentally, still teaches music to Junior Cert students on a voluntary basis. And, of course, Sister Patricia Wall is only a legend for her trojan community work in the Slieveardagh Region.

(Article originally published in Tipperary Star w/e 04th December 2011)