Galway: tossing and turning

December 7, 2010 in General, News

mjoyce_01The pictures in this Picasa album should possibly carry a health warning for those who knew and loved the old Colaiste Iognaid. It is hard to look unmoved at the demise of a familiar building.  The old school block has been reduced to rubble. The tossing is finished now, and –  five weeks behind schedule – the piling has started for the new construction. The school is taking a new turn in more ways than one: Principal Bernie O’Connell is retiring at the end of December, and his successor has been appointed. Pictured here is Connemara-born, native speaker Mary Joyce, a mother of three. She taught in Japan for three years and has been Vice-Principal of Ennistymon Vocational School for five years, followed by three years as its Principal. She takes over the prime job in Colaiste Iognaid on 1 January.