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Gaelcholáiste Uí Chonbá
by Siobhán Ní Chonchúir
Osclaíodh Gaelcholáiste Uí Chonbá i 1993. Chuir an coláiste meánoideachas trí ghaeilge ar fáil do dhaltaí don chéad uair riamh i gCaisleán Nua Thiar.
San am sin, bhí Máirtín MacConmara mar phríomhoide sa ghairmscoil agus Risteard De Barra mar leaspríomhoide agus mar thuismitheoir ar dhalta a bhí ag freastal ar Ghaelcholáiste. Chothaigh an Gaelcholáiste ardchaighdeán oideachas i gcónaí agus chuir sé béim ar fhorbairt na ndaltaí go hacadúil agus go pearsanta chomh maith. Ghlac an scoil páirt i réimse mór imeachtaí – Spórt, Slógadh, Diospóireachtaí, Turasanna intíre agus thar lear agus a lán eile nach iad.
When the Gaelcholáiste first opened, classes were taken in a house across the road from the Vocational School. Then in the mid 90͛s due to extra classes it was relocated in a more spacious building in the Shannon Industrial Estate off Sheehan͛s Road.
In 2000, as an interim arrangement, a Gaelcholáiste was provided adjacent to, but completely separate from the new Desmond College. It had its own separate entrance, new buildings and its own courtyard.
To compliment this, the specialist subject rooms, P.E. hall and playing pitch are available to Gaelcholáiste students also.
1995 Aogán O’Maolcatha, Student of the Year at Gaelcholáiste Uí Chonbá pictured receiving the Bank of Ireland Shield from Eamon Mellett, Branch Manager, Newcastle West. Also in picture are David Lucey, Student Officer and Siobhán Ní Chonchúir, School Principal.
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Students from Gaelcholáiste Uí Chonbá – the whole class received As in the Junior Cert Irish paper pictured with their teacher Siobháin Ní Chonchúir.
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Chemistry teacher Eilis Ní Chriogáin with students Sarah Ní Mhaolcatha and Edward O’Loinsigh of the Pre Leaving Certificate class at the Gaelcholáiste.
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Jim McNamara, Jim Quirke, Aileen Dillane and Bridget Quirke at the Gaelscoil Dance in Newcastle West.
Jim taught science classes in the school and was a founder of An tIonad Glas in Dromcollogher –The Organic College which provides quality courses in organic growing and sustainable living skills. Aileen Dillane was a librarian – she along with staff facilitated students while researching projects and partaking in evening study. The library was often made available as a venue to hold school exhibitions. Aileen and her colleagues gave immense help in researching this compilation. Aileen and Jim were founding members of the Gaelscoil.
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Pictured at a poetry reading during the Michael Hartnett Weekend was poet Billy Hartnett, Simone Walshe, Niall Hartnett, Mary O’Connor, Siobhan O’Connor, Padraig Flanagan, Aileen Dillane and Sean O’Curraoin
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Representing the gaelcholáiste in the County Limerick VEC quiz: Tomas Mac Dhomhnaill, Edward Lynch, Donal O’Laighin, Aoife Kenneally, Daithi De Nais, Jackie Devine, K Mc Carthy and Daithi O’Sé.
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The Gaelcholáiste Quiz Team who came 2nd after a final with Askeaton.
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The recipe for success in Gaelcholáiste Uí Chonbá is individual attention due to the small class sizes. The result is a rewarding and successful bilingual educational environment in which all students develop and prosper.
Mention of the word prosper, draws one’s attention to the vast array of prizes won at County, Regional and All-Ireland level, in the “Young Enterprise” competitions, debating, table-quiz, Slógadh, sport, fish-cookery, art and essay competitions.
These well designed and deserved awards are on display in the trophy cabinet in the staff room. The students are directed each year by their teachers.
Cleonagh O’Sullivan was the winner of the BIM regional southwest finals. Her teacher Edel Boohan said “she worked hard and she deserved to win it”.
The continuous outstanding examination results awarded at Junior and Leaving Certificate levels reflects the commitment and very impressive pedagogical skills of a most dedicated teaching staff. Their work is inspired by a sense of providing a thorough and complete education for the pupils in their care and they are constantly striving to develop that goal.
Our school is privileged to be attaining the many skilled members of staff and it is their comprehensive experience and professionalism as evidenced by their dedication to their work and their pupils that make Gaelcholáiste Uí Chonbá a perfect choice. I as múinteoir i bhfeighil, am very privileged to be working with such an exemplary staff.
Gaelcholáiste Leaving Cert students with Siobhán Ní Chonchúir (múinteoir i bhfeighil)
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Gaelcholáiste Uí Chonbás Darragh O’Shea with the world championship medals he won in Daejeon City in South Korea at the Tae Kwon Do World Championships.
He won one silver and two bronze medals, and is pictured with múinteoirí Siobhán Ní Chonchúir, Lucy Corbett, S. Ní hAirchnéide and Principal Pádraig Flanagan.
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Gaelcholáiste Uí Chonbá, winners of the Colleges Ladies Football (VEC) County Championship, Sarah Ní Mhaolcatha, Sarah Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh, Meadhbh de Nais, Clár Ní Ghiolla Phádraig, Sorcha Ní Dhomhnaill, Aoife Ní Chaonnfhaola, Dyann Ní Chearbhúil, Íde Ní Dhomhnaill, Deirdre Ní Ghiolla Phádraig, Máire Ní Anglainn, Fiona Ní Fhathaigh agus Rona Ní Chonchúir.
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Clár Ní Ghiolla-Phádraig, winner of the Lady of the Match Award with Brian O’Sullivan AIB and teacher Dónal Enright.
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Maedhbh de Nais and Deirdre Ní Ghiolla Phádraig (Camogie) with teacher Eibhlís Ní Chríogáin.
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The talented Nolans from the Gaelcholáiste taking part in The Desmond Factor
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Aisling Ní Chathail, Gaelcholáiste.
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