On Friday, 16th May, the Bishop of Cork, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton visited St Multose National School, Kinsale, County Cork, to open a substantial new extension to the school. Prior to the opening the pupils and teachers led a Service of Thanksgiving in the adjacent parochial hall at which they were joined by parents and representatives of the local community.
The Principal of the School, Ms Fiona Giles, welcomed everyone, and both she and the chairperson of the Board, Mr John Stanley paid tribute to all in the school community who had worked so hard to achieve two such extensions to the school in a relatively short period of time. During the morning the school community also took the opportunity to say a very sincere ‘thank you’ to the rector, Canon David Williams, and to wish him well on his forthcoming retirement.

Watched by pupils and parents from St Multose National School, Kinsale, Bishop Paul Colton cuts the ribbon to mark the opening of the new extension to the school. Included in the photograph are the Mayor of Kinsale, Cllr Tony Cierans (left), the chairperson of the Board of Management, Mr John Stanley (second left), the school principal, Ms Fiona Giles (third left at back) and right, Canon David Williams, Rector of Kinsale. (Photo: Brian O’Reilly)
Here is a gallery of photos from the day thanks to photographer Brian O’Reilly:
- The anticipation
- The preparations
- The Bishop chats with Mrs Rossalyn Williams
- Canon Williams arrives
- Chatting with the pupils
- More chatting
- And more chatting
- Lots of chatting
- And even more chatting
- Canon Williams and the Bishop
- A lively musical start to the Service
- Recorders
- The Bishop greets the school
- Canon Williams leads the opening prayer
- Singing
- Poems
- More Singing
- Action songs
- Taking part in the Service helped by Ms Giles
- An action poem
- The School Principal, Ms Fiona Giles, makes her speech
- The Bishop, Canon Williams and Mr John Stanley
- The Bishop unveils the plaque
- The Bishop, Mr Nigel Sweetnam, Mr John Stanley and Cllr Fred Treacy
- Fred Treacy, John Stanley and Canon Williams
- Our ecumenical guests
- Refreshments outside on a sunny day
- A special retirement cake for Canon Williams
- The Reverend Peter Hanna and Mr Wilfred Baker, Secretary of the Diocesan Board of Education