'A very joyous occasion': Cork's Star of the Sea NS marks 25 years

Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited Star of the Sea primary school in Passage West on Friday to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the school.

The Taoiseach was treated to performances full of song and dance by the students, while the event also included speeches from Mr Martin and former students of the school.

Speaking to The Echo, Mr Martin described how returning to the Star of the Sea primary school marked a full circle moment for his own political career.

“It is a personal journey for me to be back here 25 years after when I was minister for education, that we took a decision to amalgamate what was the boys’ and girls’ national school here in Passage West.

“Then it took quite a journey to get this new building built after that to facilitate the amalgamated school.

“But it is wonderfully joyful to be here 25 years later, to see the incredible drama and performance. It shows the breadth of the curriculum from singing to poetry and so on. It was a very joyous occasion.”

Also in attendance at the Star of the Sea Primary School 25th anniversary event was Cork South Central Fine Gael TD, and minister of state at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Jerry Buttimer.

Speaking to The Echo, Mr Buttimer said: “It was a fantastic celebration of 25 years of a new school being put together. The event was a testimony to the ethos of the school in the practical way of the singing, the dancing, the music, and the presentation, the play, and the drama.

“It just shows you the totality of the whole school programme. It is a tribute to the principal and to all of the staff, in that they have fostered in children a love of learning and musical culture.

“But also, as you saw from the video messaging, the significant outcomes of many of their past pupils shows you that the school has been an extraordinary beacon in the area.

“I want to congratulate everyone on the dedication to learning in the Passage area.”