Millstreet CS is 50! Fanatastic Community Celebration

50 years of community life in Millstreet Community School was celebrated in style in the school on December 1st. The “MCS Arena” was in no way a misleading title- the school gym was a simply amazing venue, setting up a fabulous atmosphere for the night.

Highlights were impossible to single out, with every segment unique- from video messages to the past pupils, the school musicians, including the Lenihan family, Annmarie O’Riordan and the school choir singing with Niamh Kavanagh, to local business people, the entire night was a mix of engaging, sincere and proud recollections from the community who are grateful to have come through the school.

Of course, the inimitable Marty Morrissey moved the show smootly with humour and warmth, his genuine interest in people allowing guests to relax and share their experiences.

We won’t forget Eily’s bus, or Padraig O’Driscoll’s education, or Pat Pigott’s plans for a comeback! Niamh Kavanagh rolled back 30 years to her Eurovision win and shared her memories with Noel C. Duggan, who also gave moving speech.

Past and present students all had their own take on life in the school, resulting in a rich weave of memories from over the years.

Paula Coakley led an unforgettable final number, with Pól O’Síodhcháin and the school choir, as well as Kevin O’Neill on accordion.

While the night was centred on all on stage, it could not have happened without the sound and lighting team, the fantastic work from the Parents’ Council, the students volunteers and the staff manning a myriad of posts before and during the night.

The celebrations began earlier in the day with a flag raising ceremony, with the whole school out, joining retired staff members and members of the Parents’ Council and the Board of Management. This concluded with the birthday cake, which was cut by the eldest and youngest members of the student body, Clara O’Keefe and Jake Wang. You can watch the flag being raised here . During proceedings, all could hear the work being completed on the MUGA facility and the artist was at work priming the gym wall for the collective community artwork there. A hive of activity, and just another day of work and collective creativity in the school.

It was an unforgettable night, a fitting tribute to the fifty years (and counting!) of hard work, dedication and vision in Millstreet Community School.