School Life, Culture & Achievements

A look inside the daily spirit of Davitt College, capturing student experiences, assemblies, themed weeks, and community spirit.

Academic & Curriculum, Core News & Information, DCG, Engineering, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, STEM

Past Pupil Paul Mitchell Launches Mitchell McDermott STEM Scholarship for Senior DCG Classes

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🏗️ STEM & Careers • Industry Scholarship Past Pupil Paul Mitchell Launches Mitchell McDermott STEM Scholarship for Senior DCG Classes 12 September 2023 We were delighted to welcome back past student Paul Mitchell of Mitchell McDermott Construction Consultants to speak to our Senior Engineering, Construction, and DCG classes. Paul delivered a fantastic presentation detailing his professional journey and outlined the modern, technology-driven career paths available in infrastructure project management, structural cost-analysis, and engineering consultancy. During the session, he officially opened applications for the prestigious Mitchell McDermott Construction Industry Scholarship—an exclusive financial and mentoring initiative now in its second run uniquely for Davitt College students. Thank you to Paul for your continued commitment to backing the next generation of technological leaders at our school! 🎓👏 ×

Core News & Information, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Wellbeing

Sustainable Travel: Park and Stride Scheme

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🌿 Sustainable Travel • Green-Schools Initiative Sustainable Travel: Park and Stride Scheme 24 August 2023 Davitt College, in partnership with Mayo County Council, An Taisce Green-Schools, and the National Transport Authority, is proud to support the Park and Stride initiative. What is Park and Stride? Park and Stride means leaving the car about a 10-minute walk away from the school gate and making the final leg of the journey to school on foot. For parents and guardians, the walk to and from the car provides 15–20 minutes of daily physical exercise, while helping to significantly reduce traffic congestion and idling fumes directly outside our school gates. How Does it Work? Castlebar Municipal District supports the scheme by allowing registered parents and guardians to use participating local car parks free of charge (where parking charges normally apply) for a short period during school drop-off and pick-up times. Designated Morning Times: 8:00am to 9:30am (1 hour maximum) Designated Afternoon Times: 1:00pm to 4:30pm (1 hour maximum) Operating Days: Monday to Friday during school term time only. Participating Castlebar Car Parks: Castle Street Car Park Market Square Car Park Pavilion Road Car Park Town Park Car Park Spencer Street Car Park How to Register & Obtain Your Permit To avail of free parking during these windows, parents must clearly display an official Park and Stride Permit Sticker inside the front windshield of their vehicle. Complete the official registration form attached to this notice. Return the completed form to Mayo County Council: By Post: Castlebar Municipal District, Mayo County Council, Áras an Chontae, The Mall, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, F23 WF90. By Email: Scan your completed form and email it directly to [email protected]. Once processed, annual permit stickers will be issued directly to parents through the school. 📄 Download Park and Stride Brochure ×

Awards, Core News & Information, DC-Awards, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News

Celebrating Student Success and Achievement: Davitt College Annual Awards Ceremony 2023

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🏆 Annual School Event Davitt College Annual Awards Ceremony 2023 25 May 2023 Davitt College, Castlebar, proudly hosted its Annual Awards Ceremony on Thursday 25th May 2023, bringing together students, staff, and families to celebrate excellence across academics, sport, music, and extracurricular activities. Over 100 students received awards in recognition of their hard work, talent, and dedication throughout the year. The school was delighted to welcome cookbook author and recipe writer Ms. Sarah Butler as Guest of Honour to present the prizes and share her experiences with the student body. Addressing the assembled students and guests, Principal Mr. Conor O’Reilly extended his warmest congratulations, noting that the awards serve as a stepping stone to greater achievements in the future. He encouraged every student to aspire to reach their full potential and sincerely hoped they would go on to achieve their life’s dreams and ambitions. Main Award Winners 2023 Honouring the highest pinnacle achievements in character, community dedication, and student leadership across the school year. ⭐ Highest School Honour Davitt College Student of the Year Caoimhe Murphy Davitt College Annual Awards 2023 Recognising exceptional academic application, character, and school leadership throughout the year. 🛡️ Special Tribute Joe Langan Perpetual Shield Liam Egan Special Community Recognition Presented in recognition of dedicated service, warmth, and contribution shown to the entire Davitt College community. Sportsperson of the Year 2023 Honouring outstanding athletic prowess, dedication, and sportsmanship across school sporting codes. 🏆 Senior Sportsperson of the Year Senior Female: Maia Ludden Senior Male: Joe O Donnell 🏅 Junior Sportsperson of the Year Junior Female: Emma Duffy Junior Male: Jack Rava Additional Award Winners & Special Presentations 2023 Recognising core school values, exceptional peer representation, and special recognitions for 2023. 🌱✨ Core Values & Resilience Ethos Award: Felix Rowlands-Earls Resilience Award: Aine Mallon 🙌💙 Student Community Honour Student Choice Award: Laura McEllin Well done to all of our award recipients on a truly memorable and inspiring celebration of school life at Davitt College! 2023 Awards Roll of Honour Explore the complete breakdown of award winners across special honours, academic subjects, sporting achievements, and class recognitions for 2023. 🌟 Special Awards & Highest Honours View Section Ethos & Resilience Ethos Award: Felix Rowlands-EarlsResilience Award: Aine Mallon Student Community Honour Student Choice Award: Laura McEllin Special Community Tribute Joe Langan Perpetual Shield: Liam Egan Highest School Honour Davitt College Student of the Year 2023: Caoimhe Murphy 📚 Humanities, STEM & Business Awards View Section Modern Foreign Languages Junior Cycle Award: Ciara LoftusSenior Cycle Award: Finola Gillespie History, Geography & Politics Junior Cycle Award: Joseph LoftusSenior Cycle Award: Kyle O’Neill Literature Junior Cycle Award: Blake JoyceSenior Cycle Award: Anastasia Gladysheva Art Junior Cycle Award: Sophie EarleySenior Cycle Award: Maia Ludden Music Junior Cycle Contribution to Music: Aine FitzgeraldSenior Music Student of the Year: Niamh Cawley Irish Language (Gradam na Gaeilge) Junior Cycle Award: Matthew Walsh 2ASenior Cycle Award: Christopher Lennon Science, Maths & Home Economics Junior Cycle Award (Science/Maths): Cian NolanSenior Cycle Award (Science/Maths): Lughaidh SwiftJunior Cycle Home Economics Craft Award: Kellie Holmes Technology & Engineering Junior Cycle Woodwork Project: Owen McTigueJunior Cycle Engineering Project: Jason ConnorLeaving Certificate Engineering Project of the Year: Daniel FlynnLeaving Certificate Construction Project of the Year: Aaron Corcoran Business Studies, Accounting & Economics Junior Cycle Award: Eoin McDonaghSenior Cycle Award: Elliot Nolan 🏆 Sporting Achievements View Section Overall Sports Person of the Year Junior Sports Person of the Year (Girl): Emma Duffy Junior Sports Person of the Year (Boy): Jack Rava Senior Sports Person of the Year (Girl): Maia Ludden Senior Sports Person of the Year (Boy): Joe O Donnell Basketball 1st Yr Player of the Year: Conor Jordan2nd year Player of the Year: Aaron Cafferkey3rd year Player of the Year: Paw Mwee Kyei Gaelic Football 1st year boys gaelic player of the year: Oisin Harte & Conor JordanJuvenile Boys Gaelic Player of the Year: Ronan Loftus & Cian Corley ClarkJunior Boys Gaelic Player of the Year: Colm LynchMost Improved player Junior boys: Sean CosgroveSenior boys gaelic player of the year: Dylan RiceU-14 girls gaelic player of the year: Cliodhna Dowling & Grace CarrollJunior girls gaelic player of the year: Saoirse MahonSenior girls gaelic player of the year: Tara Concannon1st yr Player of the year: Ellen JoyceGirls U-14 Connaught Champions: Ellen Joyce Soccer First Year Male Player of the Year: Owen McDonaghU-15 Boys Player of the year: Nathan CookU-17 Boys player of the year: Sinteyehu KilleenU-15 Girls player of the year: Sarah-Jane KilcawleyU-17 Girls player of the year: Beth RoacheFirst Year Female Player of the Year: Sophia Birdthistle Athletics & Rugby ETB Male & Female Athlete: Katie Irwin1st yr Athlete of the Year: Isabella KearneyFemale Athlete of the year: Niamh MoranMale Athlete of the year: Aaron CafferkeyU16 rugby player of the year: Emma Jane Fahey 📖 Academic Achievement, Effort & Commitment View Section First Year Effort, Commitment & Dedication 1A: NJ Butler1B: Dzhenifer Eze1C: Iosac Butler1D: Daisy Finnerty1E: Patrick Holmes1F: Lauren Dunne First Year Academic Achievement 1A: Ava Flatley1B: Bruno Senzel1C: Surnaí Ní Cheallaigh1D: Kamila Teterycz1E: Ellen Joyce1F: Ava Cunningham Second Year Effort, Commitment & Dedication 2A: Zofia Swierczek2B: Kate Ludden2C: Christopher McManamon2D: Marie Everard Lydon2E: Katie O Malley2F: Sarah Jane Burke2G: Clodagh Timlin Second Year Academic Achievement 2A: Emma Jane Fahey2B: Aaron Rice2C: Grace Coyne2D: Niamh Moran2E: Ruby Moran2F: Daire Hughes2G: Joseph Loftus Third Year Effort, Commitment & Dedication 3A: Vismaya Vinod3B: Mischa Ginnelly3C: Emily Prendergast3D: Kate Connor3E: Ciara Donoghue3F: Saidbh Gordon Third Year Academic Achievement 3A: Rachel Heneghan3B: Laoise Walsh3C: Ciara Loftus3D: Kate O’Donnell3E: Ellen Shaw3F: Cian Nolan Fifth Year Effort, Commitment & Dedication 5A: Niamh Spellman5B: Jack Roache5C: Dean Ralph5D: Lily Scanlon5E: Caoimhe Hegarty5A1: Cillian Moore Fifth Year Academic Achievement 5A: Amanda Connor5B: Kacper Swierkowski5C: Hannah Prendergast5D: Lily Kelly5E: Caoimhe Irwin5A1: Cian Togher Sixth Year Effort, Commitment & Dedication 6A: Lani O’Brien6B: Sean Hanley6C: Liadhnan Quinn6D: Evanna Corley6E: Cillian Gordan6A1: Sophie Keavney Sixth Year Academic Excellence 6A: Miriam-Rahela Dobra6B: Cormac Connor6C: Rebecca Murray6D: Caoimhe Murphy6E: Connor Brogan6E: Austeja Alisauskaite ×

Academic & Curriculum, Core News & Information, Extra-Curricular, Golf, Recreational Sports, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Sports, Transition Year

Surf, Sand, and Fairways: TYs Conquer Enniscrone

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🌊 Transition Year • Outdoor Adventure & Sports Surf, Sand, and Fairways: TYs Conquer Enniscrone 24 May 2023 • Enniscrone, Co. Sligo Our Transition Year students headed to the coast yesterday for an action-packed, multi-sport outdoor adventure in Enniscrone. The group split their time between the Atlantic waves for an immersive surfing clinic and the fairways to sharpen their short-game skills on the golf course. Sun, sport, and outdoor adventure made for a classic TY trip to remember! 🏄‍♂️⛳☀️🌊👏 ×

Academic & Curriculum, Core News & Information, Extra-Curricular, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Soccer, Sports, Transition Year

Celtic & Castlebar Primary School Link Programme Wraps Up a Fantastic Success

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⚽ School Link Programme • Community Sports Celtic & Castlebar Primary School Link Programme Wraps Up a Fantastic Success 12 May 2023 • Castlebar Primary School & Castlebar Celtic F.C. We are incredibly proud to have run our school link programme over the last few weeks—an initiative that has been a major goal for a long time, with Castlebar Primary School proving to be the absolute perfect partner for Castlebar Celtic F.C. to work with. The programme focused on giving young kids a brilliant, active introduction to the game. Throughout the weeks, participants learned the core fundamentals of football, stayed highly active, and for some, experienced the joy of playing football for the very first time. Early Engagement & Inclusivity A massive driving force behind this initiative is changing how and when children get involved in club sport. Traditionally, most kids have their first taste of club football at an older age, typically around 8 or 9 years old. By launching this school link programme, the goal was to break down those barriers and give a much wider range of children the opportunity to play football at a younger age, fostering a love for the sport right inside the school environment. Building Local Foundations A huge thank you goes out to every coach, teacher, and volunteer who worked behind the scenes to make this inaugural programme such a resounding success. This is just the beginning of a brilliant partnership, and we are really looking forward to building even deeper relationships with schools and families across the local community in the future! ⚽🟢⚪🤝✨ ×

Athletics, Extra-Curricular, School Life, Culture & Achievements, Sports

Personal Bests & Flying Form: Track & Field Squad Ignites the Season!

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🏃‍♂️ Track & Field • North Connacht Championships Personal Bests & Flying Form: Track & Field Squad Ignites the Season! 27 April 2023 • Sligo ATU The sun was splitting the stones in Sligo today, and our elite Track & Field athletes matched the weather with a sizzling start to the summer athletic season. Davitt College sent a massive, highly motivated squad to compete at the North Connacht Athletics Championships at Sligo ATU, and our students put on an absolute masterclass in athletic grit, speed, and competitive execution. Blasting Into the Connacht Finals It was an exceptional day on the track and across the field disciplines, with our students delivering top-flight performances from the starter pistols to the final throws. The scoreboard tells a brilliant story, but the true highlights of the meet were found in the data: A Wave of Personal Bests: Driven by intense winter training, multiple Davitt College athletes completely smashed their previous lifetime marks, setting superb new Personal Bests (PBs) across various events. Massive Qualification Numbers: Thanks to clinical, focused performances under pressure, a huge contingent of our panel has successfully booked their tickets for the upcoming Connacht Schools Finals! Building on a Proud Athletics Tradition This explosive start to the season is part of a proud sporting legacy at Davitt College. It directly echoes the stellar standards set back on 17 May 2018, when our standout track stars Martina O’Connor and Alexandra blazed a trail through the provincial fields to comfortably qualify for the All-Ireland Track & Field Championships on a similarly sun-drenched day. What made today extra special, however, was the incredible atmosphere around the team camp. Beyond the elite times and qualifying standard distances, our students had an absolute ball—supporting one another, celebrating every PB, and representing the school crest with immense pride and exemplary sportsmanship. Next Stop: Athlone! With the regional qualifiers safely in the bag, our athletes now turn their focus to sharpening their technique for the Connacht Finals in Athlone next month. The entire management and staff of Davitt College extend a massive well done to every single student who lined up on the track or stepped into the field circles today. You did yourselves, your coaches, and your school immensely proud. Bring on the Connachts! 🏃‍♂️🥇🏆✨👏 ×

Academic & Curriculum, Awards, Core News & Information, Humanities & Language, Past Pupils, Politics & Society, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News

Law & Politics Scholar Aisling Walsh Honoured at UCD Entrance Ceremony!

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🎓 Alumni Success • Academic Excellence Law & Politics Scholar Aisling Walsh Honoured at UCD Entrance Ceremony! 30 March 2023 • University College Dublin A massive congratulations to our past student Aisling Walsh (Leaving Certificate Class of 2022) who was officially presented with a prestigious academic award at the University College Dublin Entrance Scholars Ceremony! This special university celebration recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of elite incoming students across the country who secured 560 points or more in their Leaving Certificate exams. Aisling’s phenomenal results are a testament to her incredible work ethic, dedication, and passion for social sciences during her time here at Davitt College! Aisling is currently pursuing her passion for justice and governance by studying for her Degree in Law and Politics within the world-class UCD School of Law. We are incredibly proud to see our graduates thriving at the highest academic levels. The entire school community wishes Aisling continued, brilliant success as she continues to shape her future legal and political path in Dublin! Keep shining, Aisling! 🎓✨👏 ×

Academic & Curriculum, Core News & Information, Humanities & Language, Practical & Creative Arts, Religion, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Wellbeing

Commemorating ETB Week: A Decade of Multi-Denominational Education

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🏫 ETB Excellence • 10-Year Milestone Commemorating ETB Week: A Decade of Multi-Denominational Education 27 February 2023 • Davitt College & Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB This week, Davitt College joins Education and Training Boards across the country to celebrate ETB Week, marking exactly ten years since the formal establishment of the ETB sector. As the largest provider of multi-denominational education in Ireland, the 16 national ETBs serve as a vital cornerstone for inclusive, modern learning within our local communities. Throughout this week-long celebration, our Religious Education department is showcasing the diverse and essential services that ETBs provide nationwide. From Community National Schools and Colleges to adult, youth, and further training facilities, the sector remains fully committed to nurturing spaces where every learner is valued. To mark this historic decennial milestone, our students are participating in a series of special classroom initiatives and reflective activities designed to highlight our core values of care, equality, and community. We are incredibly proud to play our part in this national network of learning and look forward to the next decade of educational excellence! 🏫🌟📚🤝✨ ×

Cross Country, Extra-Curricular, School Life, Culture & Achievements, Sports

Provincial Silver! Niamh Moran Leads the Charge at the Connacht Finals

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🏃‍♀️ Cross Country • Connacht Schools Finals Provincial Silver! Niamh Moran Leads the Charge at the Connacht Finals 22 February 2023 • Connacht Athletics The winter training miles have truly paid off today on the provincial stage. A massive congratulations to all our elite distance runners who proudly wore the Davitt College crest at the Connacht Schools Cross Country Finals! Against a highly competitive field of top-flight athletes from across the West, our students left everything out on the course, culminating in an extraordinary individual podium finish. The Road to the Finals: Conquering Ballymote The foundation for today’s success was laid back on January 26th at the regional qualifiers in Ballymote. It was a fantastic day for the school sports department, with a large contingent of our running panel putting on a clinical display of tactical racing and teamwork. Their strong individual positions packed the fields beautifully, booking a massive wave of qualification spots for today’s provincial decider. Niamh Moran Claims Brilliant Connacht Silver The individual performance of the day belonged to the phenomenal Niamh Moran. Competing in a relentless, fast-paced Junior Girls race, Niamh tracked the lead pack with immense composure and precision. When the pressure turned up in the closing stages of the race, she showed incredible athletic grit and an explosive finishing kick to cross the line in a magnificent 2nd place overall. This well-deserved Connacht Silver Medal highlights a spectacular cross country campaign for Niamh, whose running has gone from strength to strength with Castlebar AC all season long. Proud of the Entire Panel While Niamh takes home the silverware, the management and staff of Davitt College want to express our immense pride in every single student who lined up on the starting grid today. Cross country running demands a rare level of mental toughness and physical endurance, and our students proved once again that they have it in abundance. Well done to everyone on a fantastic provincial campaign—you have represented your school with absolute distinction! ×

Combat Sports, Past Pupils, School Life, Culture & Achievements, Sports

Alumna Spotlight: Bethany Doocey’s Journey to the Pinnacle of Irish Boxing

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🥊 Alumni Spotlight • National Elite Champion Alumna Spotlight: Bethany Doocey’s Journey to the Pinnacle of Irish Boxing 26 January 2023 • National Stadium Dublin & Castlebar Boxing Club From the school corridors to the center ring at the National Stadium, the journey of former Davitt College student Bethany Doocey is a masterclass in elite dedication, relentless training, and pure sporting grit. Today, we look back at the incredible milestones that saw a hometown talent climb to the absolute summit of amateur boxing in Ireland. 2020: The Rising Star Secures National Title Number Six Back in February 2020, the school community rallied behind Bethany as she lined out for the IABA National Under 18 Boxing Championships in Dublin. Representing Castlebar Boxing Club, Bethany put on a clinical display of technical skill, power, and ring control to claim the national title. The victory was far from a flash in the pan—it marked an astonishing sixth national gold medal in her rapidly rising youth career, cementing her status as one of the country’s most formidable young prospects. 2023: Reaching the Absolute Summit at the National Stadium Fast forward to last night, and the hard work truly paid off on the grandest domestic stage of all. Stepping up to the elite ranks, Bethany faced the best fighters in the country at the IABA National Elite Boxing Championship Finals at the National Boxing Stadium in Dublin. In a grueling, high-stakes environment where the margins for error are razor-thin, Bethany delivered the performance of a lifetime. Standing victorious in the center of the ring, she claimed the prestigious National Elite Title, cementing her legacy at the absolute highest tier of Irish amateur boxing. “A massive congratulations to former student Bethany from everyone at Davitt College. Watching an athlete transition from dominant school-era champion to Elite National Champion is an inspiration to every student currently training in our sports academies.” ×

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