Everyone in Scoil Mhuire was delighted to welcome some very special visitors to our school on Thursday 7th May 2026.

Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton and Estonian Ambassador Kairi Künka did us the honour of visiting our school in honour of Celebration of Europe Day (which takes place on Saturday 9th May 2026. In preparation for Ireland assuming the EU Presidency, each Irish county was paired with an EU state. Galway was paired with Estonia.

Principal Mr. Kavanagh greeted our guests at the front gate and our Naíonáin formed a guard of honour while our Grúpa Ceoil played some traditional Irish tunes as the Minister and the Ambassador made their way into the Halla Mór. They were received by Deputy Principal Ms. McKiernan and members of our Student Council and shown to their seats. 

Mr Kavanagh welcomed the guests, who spoke to the large group of pupils and staff. Among other things, Minister Naughton noted that Ireland and Estonia rate very highly in terms of achievement in literacy and numeracy. She referred to our school’s inclusion on the list of schools approved to proceed to tender and construction over 2026/27. She also spoke very highly of our school based on what she has learned from the Department of Education and the Inspectorate.

Ambassador Künka spoke fondly of her time in Ireland and noted several similarities between her own country and ours. She noted the lovely project work on Estonia on display in the Halla Mór. 

Rng a Cúig showcased our School Self-Evaluation focus, giving beautiful performances of Dvorjak’s Largo and the EU Anthem; Beethoven’s Ode to Joy on their recorders.

Our Rinceoirí followed this two very impressive examples of Irish Dancing.

Ms. McKiernan and members of our Student Council pesented the Minister and the Ambassador with bouquets of flowers, gifts from Moycullen’s Celtic Crystal and commemorative certificates of their historic visit to our school.

Our guests were very appreciative of the warm reception they received in our school. They left with the impression of a fantastic school of pupils and staff based in a lovely community, which would be a fairly accurate description of Scoil Mhuire. In all respects, our pupils did their school and their community very proud today. 

Maith sibh a pháistí. Mar is gnách, tá muid thar a bheith bródúil asaibh.

Well done everyone on an historic and successful day.