In June 2009, Mr. Batt O Keefe, an tAire Oideachais, visited the North Mon. He came to officially open our new Library and our new Pupils’ kitchen, courtesy of The Dormant Accounts Fund.

The preparations for the visit began early that morning with boys from VI class doing a last minute clean up of the grounds. Meanwhile the Guard of Honour went through their paces, practising their role one last time.

Around 2.00 pm, the Minister arrived, before going in to begin the official function, he did an interview with RTE in the school grounds. Inside the hall, the boys themselves, many parents, past pupils and guests awaited patiently.

Once the Minister arrived, an tUasal Ó Callanáin, our Leas Príomh Oide, introduced the guests, which included Mons. Denis O Callaghan, who was representing the Bishop, and Mr. William Pat Hallihan who represented the trustees.

Our Grúpa Ceoil then entertained the guests and when they had finished The Minister addressed us. He praised the great tradition represented by the Mon, its illustrious history and its proud continuation of that heritage down to the present day.

He referred to the recent success in achieving Green Flag status, our excellent Grúpa Ceoil, our great sporting teams in Hurling, Football, Soccer and Athletics. He pointed out that part of the great Mon tradition was never to rest on our laurels but to constantly strive to improve the education available to our boys and true to that tradition the newly decorated and stocked library and the kitchen, opened up new possibilities for our boys. He spoke warmly in praise of the teachers who had organised these developments giving freely of their free time for the sake of the boys.

With the formal part of the celebrations over, the Minister officially cut the ribbons on the two new facilities and Monsignor O Callaghan blessed them and all who would work and learn in them.

The hard work being done, our guests were able to sample the possibilities offered by the new kitchen!!!

We were glad that the Minister and the Monsignor were able to be present to share our pride and pleasure in our new facilities and we were proud to be able to demonstrate again that meanman na Main is alive and well and that the Mon will continue to contribute richly to the future of our Mon Boys