Tipperary school introduce award for former pupils

Our annual awards day took place at the end of May this year- this is an occasion to celebrate not just the academic achievements of our students, but also their personal, extra-curricular and sporting successes.

For the first time this year, we also awarded our Alumni Award, as nominated by our past pupils. Many nominations were received, which alone is a testament to the talent, accomplishments and breadth of success that our past pupils have achieved.

This year’s Alumni Award goes to a former student who excelled not only in the classroom but also on the playing field.

Even in her school days, she was known for her determination – a quality her father, Seamus, remembers fondly. We are proud to present this award to Eimear Ryan, a writer, editor, publisher, and a force to be reckoned with in the Irish literary scene.

Eimear always knew what she wanted. From her time in Coláiste, she spoke of her twin passions: writing and camogie. And what a career she has built!

As a camogie player, she represented her county with pride. Her debut novel, Holding Her Breath, was published by Penguin Books and shortlisted for a major award. Eimear won the Easons 2023 Sports Book of the Year award at the annual An Post Irish Book Awards last year for her memoir, The Grass Ceiling, which examines gender and sport.

Eimear Ryan is a shining example of the potential that lies within each of our students. She is a reminder that with dedication and perseverance, you can achieve your dreams, no matter how big or how different they may seem. We hope that her
journey inspires our students to pursue their passions with all their hearts.

Congratulations, Eimear!

If you are a past pupil of our school and are interested in joining our alumni mailing list simply email your name and the year you left our school to [email protected].