'A great honour' - Laois school reflects on performing for President Higgins

Pupils and staff at Scoil Fionntáin Naofa, Shanahoe are still buzzing after the school band's performance for President Michael D Higgins at the opening ceremony of the National Ploughing Championships. 

This was a very proud occasion for the school community of Shanahoe given the magnitude of the ploughing championships on the national stage and taking into consideration that the school has just 65 pupils in total on roll in the school year 2024-2025. CONTINUE READING BELOW PHOTO

The school band, which is comprised of pupils from 1st to 6th class, played for the president and other dignitaries on Tuesday, September 17 in a sun soaked site in Ratheniska.

The school band in Scoil Fionntáin Naofa was formed in the early1990s by former Principal David Brickley and former Deputy Principal Miriam Brickley. Since then, it has grown in strength and expertise year on year and is now under the baton of teacher in the school Mrs. Kris Cahill. Long time great friend of the school Mr. Mikey Hyland from Aghaboe also provides great guidance and direction in relation to all things music related. Mikey accompanied the band to Ratheniska on the day of the opening ceremony. The school band comprises of musicians that play tin whistles, accordions and various percussion instruments. Members of the school band wear their signature red capes and hats for special performances.

Margaret Connaughton who works in a voluntary capacity with the National Ploughing Association (NPA) very kindly extended an invitation to the school band to play at the opening ceremony and both school Principal Barry Whelan and band teacher Kris Cahill were very complimentary of Margaret’s great organisation skills in the lead up to the big day. CONTINUE READING BELOW PHOTO

School Principal Barry Whelan said that "It was a great honour for our school band to be afforded the opportunity to play at the opening ceremony of this great event. It is something that those pupils in attendance will remember with great personal pride for many years to come. I would like to express our sincere thanks to the powers that be in the National Ploughing Association for extending this invite to us".