The success story of Mayo's Davitt College told on its 40th anniversary

Davitt College, Castlebar, has been described as a flagship school which encapsulates the best values of education and partnership.

Tom Grady, the chief executive of the Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board, said his organisation could not be any prouder of the management, staff and pupils of the centre.

Speaking on the occasion of the centre's 40th anniversary, Mr. Grady said the foundations of the Mayo College of Further Education, which runs a wide range of post-Leaving Cert courses, were established by Davitt College and its visionary educators.

"The proud legacy of the late Joe Langan, a former principal of Davitt College and head of Mayo Vocational Educational Committee, a pillar of the new Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board, will live long into the future.

"Since Davitt College opened in 1982, it has enjoyed phenomenal growth, reflected in its enrolment of 860 students. It is a flagship school in every respect due to its tradition of consistently setting and achieving high standards.

"This is the culmination of the immense sense of partnership that exists between students, teachers and staff as well as the community at large. Long may it continue to offer such wonderful direction."

Mr. Grady paid tribute to all the former principals - Thomas O'Donnell, Eamon Whelan, Michael O'Flanagan, Myra Egan, Joe Langan, Patsy Noone, Ioseph McGowan and Bernie Rowland - who played such integral roles in the development of the college into a trend-setting secondary school.

Conor O'Reilly, principal, said he looked forward to the next phase of the college's development with the imminent commencement of a major extension to the facility.

This, he reflected, will have further positive implications for Davitt College as well as the wider community.

"As a former pupil, it was an honour and privilege for me to return as principal and I am looking forward to the future with considerable optimism," he added.

There was a special moment of remembrance for all deceased members of the staff.

Other speakers included former principals Patsy Noone, Ioseph McGowan and Bernie Rowland.

Each of them referenced the main factors which set Davitt College apart as a leading centre of education.

They included the warm relationship that existed between teachers and students, the enthusiastic atmosphere that exists within the corridors and the fact that academic pursuits were complemented by sporting and creative activities.

Mr. Noone also put down a marker that the planned new development should not result in the loss of the school's football pitch.

The 40th anniversary plaque at the entrance to the school was unveiled by Tina Joyce, the longest serving member of the staff.