St Brigid’s School debs
St Brigid’s School students, staff and families celebrated the 2023 débutantes in style on Thursday May 25 last, when the bi-annual debs returned. It hadn’t taken place in since May 2019 due to Covid.
This year’s debs had the glitz and glamour of the Oscars and plenty of giggles and dancing thrown into the mix. Nine students attended, supported by a guest list of 98 people.
School principal Joanne Jordan said: “We owe a massive debt of gratitude to Isolda Keaney (SNA) and Judith Jennings (teacher), who dedicated a lot of time to the planning and organisation of the event. Without their generosity of time, it would not have been possible.”
Ms Jordan pointed out that it was her first experience as principal of a school debs and she’s already looking forward to May 2025.
“It was wonderful to have the opportunity to celebrate our students’ journeys in St Brigid’s, and the time to mingle with students and their families at the hotel for photos before the meal started was lovely.
“Photographer John McCauley put all the students at ease and captured wonderful memories, as always, for students and staff. John is a regular visitor to our school and has a great rapport with the young people and always captures amazing pictures.
“We were also blessed with the weather and thanks to Patricia Casey (SNA), who is part of the Mullingar Gospel Choir, we had a lovely vibe from the get-go with the fabulous Mullingar Gospel Choir performing outside the hotel for us. Many of our students took to dancing on the grounds of the Annebrook Hotel from the moment we arrived.”
There was plenty of discussion in school in the week ahead of the night, about gowns and suits, among both students and staff, and the excitement built up daily.
“We would love to thank the Annebrook Hotel for a fantastic night. The room was set up beautifully and the staff couldn’t have been more helpful. The meal was gorgeous, from starters to dessert, and all plates returned to the kitchen empty.
“The dancefloor was full from the first tune to the national anthem several hours later – my feet still haven’t recovered from the hours of dancing! For that, we owe a debt to Colm Bourke (bus escort), who did the music and disco on the night. Colm knows all our students and was taking music requests for weeks before the debs. Colm volunteers for all the school events to provide live music for the students who regularly pop up to the microphone to give Colm a hand.
“It was quite simply a night to remember and the pinnacle to an amazing school journey for our pupils and their families.
“We wish them every success in life going forward and there are high emotions as they finish up in St Brigid’s,” Ms Jordan concluded.