PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins honoured legendary ‘Thin Lizzy' frontman Phil Lynott at an event in his former school, St Kevin's College in Crumlin, last week.
The president also unveiled a commemorative coin issued by the Central Bank to mark 70 years since the singer’s birth. With just 3,000 minted, these limited edition coins will be rare.
The President, as well as members of Lynott’s family and invited guests, were treated to a performance of a medley of popular Lynott and Thin Lizzy songs by the St Kevin's College Brass Band.
The City of Dublin Education and Training Board was joined by representatives of Educate Together, as the two bodies have entered into an agreement whereby, in 2020, Educate Together will become joint partner with CDETB in the running of St Kevin's College.
Taking inspiration from the school’s own rich artistic and musical heritage, St Kevin’s College has introduced music onto the Leaving Certificate timetable for the first time this year.
A designated DEIS school (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools), St Kevin’s College hopes to further expand access to artistic, creative and humanities-based Leaving Certificate offerings for students in the near future.
School principal, Lesley Byrne, said: “The celebration of Phil Lynott's success is very significant to us as a school. It reinforces the vision we have for our students, ensuring the arts are accessible to all and encouraging them to build their cultural and educational capital.
“It is very fitting that this also marks the year that we have put music on the timetable and we are renaming the library as the Lynott Library as it is the hub or creativity and culture in the school.”
It was recently announced that City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB) and Educate Together have agreed to work together as Patron Partners for Saint Kevin’s College.
Recognising the strengths and challenges of both organisations, the aim is to ensure the provision of the highest quality, co-educational and equality based educational experience for students.
This experience will be built on the principles of equality, community, inclusion and democracy.
President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins are long term supporters of the Educate Together movement and are founding members.
They are both active board members of the Galway School Project (now Galway Educate Together NS), one of Ireland’s first equality-based schools.
