Excitement was tangible in the Clanard Court Hotel on Thur night as graduands for the FETAC awards were presented with their certificates. Over 112 certificates were presented to students who had completed FETAC courses in French, Computers, Art, Computerised accounts, Communications, and many more. Among the guests and presenters were Cllr Senan Griffin, Mayor of Kildare, Cathaoirleach of Athy Town Council, Minister Sean Power, Noel Dalton, Education Officer of Kildare VEC, Cllr Mark Dalton, chairperson of the Board of Management, Martin Quilty, FETAC, Paul Cunningham, President Athy chamber of Commerce.
Athy Community College is the main provider in the county of HSE/SkillVEC training to health Board employees and many administrative staff of St Vincent’s Hospital were among the well wishers to the host of recipients of their awards.
A posthumous award was presented by Cllr Mark Dalton to Joan Hartnett Howe and was accepted by her daughter Sinead. Dr Sunderland, Deputy Principal, spoke of how Joan’s work and her life had been so full of exuberance and joy.
Excitement was heightened when, in his address Principal Richard Daly announced that a letter of intention had been received by Kildare VEC for the construction of the new college. Construction of the college is expected to commence in two to three weeks and the 25 acre campus will offer so many possibilities in primary, secondary and further education.
Cllr Lawler spoke of how a small school established in the late 30’s was now at the cutting edge of education provision within the town and offered the full support of the Town Council in expedition the project
