On Tuesday 17th of May 2016, The Mayor of Waterford, Mr John Cummins, hosted a Mayoral Reception for the Principal Staff , students and parents of St. Paul’s Community College at his offices in City Hall Waterford. This was to recognise the selection of St. Paul’s Community College as the only school in Ireland to represent all Irishmen lost in World War 1at the Battle of the Somme. Other invited guests included representatives from the school’s Board of Management and Parents Council . A very pleasant evening was had by all. Mayor Cummins presented a framed scroll to mark the event to student Ian Maher and Principal Ms. Reilly, who stated it was a huge honour and privilege for our school to represent our country at the international event in France on July 1st. Ms Reilly also commended Mr. Lohan on his application to the British Council which resulted in the school receiving this honour. Teachers Ms. Mai O Keeffe and Ms. Claire Cahill were also commended by the Principal for their involvement in the project.

At the Mayoral reception Mr. Lohan, who was accompanied by his wife Cáit, told all present that it was a lifelong ambition to travel to the Somme where his grand uncle Private Joseph Monaghan was lost during the Battle of the Somme. Ms Reilly hopes that the trip which encourage students to acknowledge the great inhumanity of war, “in remembering all those who died at the Somme during the Great War 1914-1918 we hope that future generations will learn from the mistakes of the past and contribute to a lasting peace and stability in Europe.”

Below are some photos of the event