Athenry Vocational School will celebrate its 40th year this year with a weekend of festivities over the May Bank Holiday.

The school was founded in 1968 with a staff of just five teachers: Malachy Naughton, who is now the Principal, Sean Nolan, Tom Davis, Mary Finnerty and Margaret Donnellan.

Today it is one of the largest rural vocational schools in the country. According to the school, this is due mainly to the work of one man, the late Seamus Cullinane, as well as a dedicated staff whose commitment to high academic achievement sowed the seeds for what is now a thriving post-primary school.

To mark this great occasion, there is a weekend of festivities beginning with a Golf Am-Am in Athenry Golf Club on Thursday 1 May, Friday 2 May and Saturday 3 May. The highlight of the weekend is the Gala Banquet, which is taking place in the Clayton Hotel on Friday night, 2 May at 8pm with music by Horizon. Tickets are €50 each. The principal and staff welcome past pupils, former teachers, parents and friends of Athenry Vocational School to share in the celebrations.

For further information, contact the school at 091-844159.