St Patrick decrees ‘no homework’ for Clondulane following parade success

Celebrations were held at Clondulane National School on Tuesday, as children from the local school rejoiced after receiving a letter from St Patrick himself, requesting that homework be banished in the week leading up to Easter holidays following their success at the 2023 Fermoy St Patrick’s Day parade.

The request was granted by principal James O’Sullivan as the school, community and Fermoy Street Arts gathered to officially accept their ‘Best Overall’ trophy after this year’s parade. Members of the Fermoy St Patrick’s Day Parade committee, Brendan Buckley and John Murphy, who was also Grand Marshal, attended the event at the school to present the trophy and congratulate all involved on their efforts.

John Murphy told local school children that they are ‘a credit’ to their parents, the school and community, while Brendan Buckley stated that Clondulane’s entry this year ‘has changed the whole shape of St Patrick’s Day for the future’.

‘HUGE’ THANKS

A letter from St Patrick, read to those in attendance by Clondulane local and Fermoy Street Arts member, Alice Fleming, also offered congratulations to all involved.

‘I am so thrilled to hear that the combined efforts of Clondulane National School, Clondulane Community, and Fermoy Street Arts presented such a great display on my Feast day on 17 March 2023,’ the letter read.

Granting St Patrick’s decree of no homework for such hardworking children, principal James O’Sullivan commended the children and the wider community, stating: “All this doesn’t just happen easily. You all did so much work”.

“On behalf of the school, I’d like to extend a huge ‘ thank you’ to everyone in Clondulane Community Association and all the helpers,” he said.

Speaking on the props made and the large puppets displayed at the parade, Mr O’Sullivan also thanked Fermoy Street Arts for their ‘imagination, drive and creativity’.

“None of this happens without community drive. It was a fantastic example of what a community can achieve when everybody is pulling the same weight. I am really proud of Clondulane,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

Special thanks also went out to Tony Crotty, a local parent who led the snake’s head from start to finish at the St Patrick’s Day parade and to Donal O’Lochlainn (St Patrick’s Day parade committee) who put together a video which was shared with the school children and wider community on Tuesday.

It’s now anyone’s guess what next year may hold for the Fermoy St Patrick’s Day parade, but hopes are high that Clondulane’s entry will amaze the crowds once again, particularly now with the official support of St Patrick.