Virginia College gears up for 50th anniversary

Virginia College is inviting all students and staff members, past and present, as well as their families, to attend the school's open afternoon on Sunday, December 2, to help celebrate their 50th anniversary. Having had both the Minister for Education Ruiari Quinn and President Michael D Higgins attend the school on separate occasions earlier this year to mark the momentous occasion, Virginia College is now opening its doors to all those who filled its classrooms down through the years. The celebrations will begin from 2pm when all are cordially invited to attend a special service for deceased past pupils and staff. Afterwards, the school will launch its golden jubilee book, written and compiled by local historians, Des Mooney and Jim McElgunn. Containing 300 photographs, old and new, within its 200 pages, the book is available to buy on the day for €15. Meanwhile, there will be over 1,000 school photographs will be on display throughout the school for those present to see. Refreshments will also be served. School Principal Karen Fitzpatrick said the event was open to the community and any student or person in the town or surrounding areas with links to the school down through the years. Also, represented at the event will be members of the Virginia Agricultural Show Society who successfully built the original Virginia Vocational School in 1962, which has since been further developed by Cavan VEC as Virginia College for 800 pupils. "Its an incredible achievement and we're delighted to be able to mark this occasion and with the community in this way. We'd welcome and encourage anyone, all students and staff members, both past and present, as well as their families to attend the school's open afternoon," she said. Virginia College has also opened a 50th anniversary facebook page, for which they hope to get over 1,000 likes before December 2.