Past and present Cork CBC students honoured at annual awards ceremony

The annual Christian Brothers College (CBC) Awards ceremony took place recently.

The ceremony is a massive date in the CBC calendar. Past and present students are rewarded for their academic, sporting, and social triumphs over the previous 12 months.

French, CSPE, and history teacher Gearoid O’Brien said one of the great things about the awards is the variety of accomplishments acknowledged.

“It’s a good opportunity to showcase all the work that has been done throughout the year and it’s often only on the night you recognise how much was achieved,” Mr French said.

Former Munster and Ireland rugby star Billy Holland, who has achieved much in the world of rugby since he left the school 20 years ago, was the guest speaker on the night.

Capped for Ireland 

He represented Ireland at schools’ level, U19, U21, and he was capped for Ireland at senior international level in 2016.

He retired from the sport in 2021 having lined out for Munster 247 times, of which 48 were as captain.

Holland won the Peter Wilson Award for Rugby 20 years ago, and, this year, he had the honour of presenting Mark Skelly with the award.

Peter Wilson played in the centre for CBC when they won the Senior Cup in 1984.

Sadly, Mr Wilson died within a year of graduating from CBC.

The award was named in his memory.

Essay

Jonathan Walsh was named ‘Student of the Year’. Jonathan was one of 13 CBC students to pick up 625 points in the Leaving Certificate.

Guan Hui Lin received this year’s Ed Kenny Award. His essay on genetics and artificial intelligence was awarded first in Ireland by the Irish Society of Human Genetics.

Ronan O’Keeffe was awarded the prestigious Gretchen Crosbie Award for the Arts. Ronan O’Keeffe displayed “great confidence” by bringing his artwork outside of the classroom and exhibiting his work across the city.

French teacher Gearoid O’Brien said the awards are very useful and some students include them on their CV’s.

“When transition-year students are making a CV, before they go looking for work experience, it’s something they put on their CV as an accomplishment.

“Some students would use them when they are looking for a college (work) placement as well.

“For example, if they are looking for a science work placement or if they won an award for science in school, it looks good,” he concluded.