Our annual residential trip, to Clongowes Wood College our sister school in Co. Kildare bore special significance this year as we celebrate 40 years of the partnership. The strong bond between our schools officially began in 1980 and has continued to strengthen as Enniskillen Royal Grammar School.
So on a wintery Sunday morning at the start of February 12 sixth formers, accompanied by Mrs Rees, Mr Clarke and Mrs Goodall joined the Clongowes Wood staff and students at their weekly Eucharist service and stayed overnight in the company of the Clongowes Wood students and staff. The warm hospitality and genuine friendship was evident by the welcome we received as we joined each other in prayer, in class and in sporting activity. The camaraderie among the students was solidified in the simple acts of chatting, playing cards and sharing food. Our wonderful host Tom Carroll commented that ‘these are the moments where political dialogue ceases and friendships begin’ Likewise the staff enjoyed the relaxed company of Fr Micheal Sheils and the Jesuit community and Margaret Doyle; lasting friendships forged through good times and bad.
Mrs Goodall, a stalwart of the partnership between the schools gave a moving address to the assembled students and staff on Monday morning.
She reflected on the changes in the political landscape of the last 40 years, ‘In 1980 Northern Ireland was not a safe place. Unsurprisingly most people in the Republic of Ireland just chose not to go there.
Fr Philip Fogarty knew that peace could not be achieved without first understanding our differences but also our shared Christian values and identities. His part in seeking this understanding was to reach out and propose a twinning with Portora Royal School, the alma mater of Blessed John Sullivan… Today crossing the border into Northern Ireland is marked only by the change of the road signs. In 1980 it could be an intimidating or frightening experience. So much has changed in 40 years; the Good Friday Agreement, prosperity, the internet. In 2016 Portora amalgamated to become Enniskillen Royal. Our friendship has been sustained and has thrived through the relationships between both pupils and staff. Today, thousands of Portorans and Clongownians live and work on this island knowing more of each other and our faiths’
In closing Mrs Goodall reminded us that
in 1980 Fr Phil was a visionary and encouraged us to live out his legacy by reaching out when we can, listening when we can, and learnimg when we can. It is in the spirit of this legacy that the partnership between Enniskillen Royal Grammar School and Clongowes Wood College will continue to flourish and we look forward to celebrating together on many occasions this year. And whilst we stand on the shoulders of giants we will continue to travel into the future together as friends.
