Athlone Community College
| Athlone Community College Coláiste Pobail Átha Luain | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
Retreat Road, Athlone | |
| Coordinates | 53°25′29″N 7°55′13″W / 53.4247°N 7.9202°W |
| Information | |
| Motto | "Even while we teach, we learn" |
| Established | 1974 |
| Educational authority | Longford Westmeath Education Training Board[1] |
| Principal | Eileen Donohoe[2] |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Number of students | 1,174[3] (2023) |
| Language | English |
| Colour(s) | Blue and yellow |
| Website | athlonecc.ie |
Athlone Community College is a mixed gender school in the town of Athlone in the Irish Midlands under the patronage of the Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB). It consists of a student body of over 1,100 students and employs more than 120 teachers.
History[edit]
In 1902, a Technical School for boys was opened by the Secretary of the Department of Education and Technical Instruction. The Old Vocational School on Northgate Street moved to the Retreat Road site in 1974, when Athlone Community College was built to cater for 500 students.[4]
In 2008, the Department of Education and Science gave approval for the building of a new school in place of the existing building.[5] The school was completed in 2014 and opened by the then Taoiseach Enda Kenny in 2017.[6]
In May 2024, the school announced the retirement of principal Eileen Donohoe after 47 years of teaching in Athlone Community College.[7] In a post on social media, the school praised Donohoe's "dedication, passion and unwavering commitment".[8]
Curriculum[edit]
The school offers both the Junior and Leaving Certificate cycles, as well as Transition Year.[9][10]
Athlone Community College is involved in a variety of sports, including Gaelic football, soccer and rugby.[11] It is also involved in debating,[12] having won three All-Ireland Concern Debating titles and two All-Ireland Gael Linn Irish debating titles.[13][14][15]
Alumni[edit]
- Donal Shine (b. 1989) - Gaelic footballer
- Sam Brooks (b. 2005) - Local Politician
References[edit]
- ^ Cusack, Adrian (13 July 2022). "New special class announced for Athlone secondary school". Westmeath Independent. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Principal's Address". athlonecc.ie. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "gov.ie – ATHLONE COMMUNITY COLLEGE". Gov.ie. Department of Education. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ "An Taoiseach Enda Kenny officially opened the new Athlone Community College in April" (PDF). BAM Ireland. June 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Contracts signed for new Athlone school". Westmeath Independent. 12 November 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Westmeath Independent - Taoiseach to officially open new Athlone Community College". Westmeath Independent. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
- ^ Grennan, Geraldine (31 May 2024). "Legend of Athlone education to retire". Westmeath Independent. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "Local secondary school pays tribute to Principal's 'incredible' service". Roscommon Herald. 23 May 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "Junior Cycle". athlonecc.ie. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Established Leaving Certificate". athlonecc.ie. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Gaelic football". "Soccer". "Rugby". athlonecc.ie. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Debating & Public Speaking". athlonecc.ie. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Athlone Community College wins regional Irish language debating title". Westmeath Independent. 7 March 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Dublin school wins All-Ireland Concern Debates championship". Concern Worldwide. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Comórtas Díospóireachta an Phiarsaigh Gael Linn 2019 - Athlone and Kilkenny schools win All-Ireland battle of words!". Gael Linn. 28 March 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
