Birr students receive Civic Reception in recognition of outstanding achievements
The special event organised by Birr Municipal District was held in the Birr Civic Offices on Thursday, April 30
Students from St. Brendan's Community School were granted a special Civic Reception by the elected members of Birr Municipal District to acknowledge their outstanding international achievements on Thursday, April 30.
Four-time world Irish Dancing champion Lucie Pardy and the reigning European debating champions comprising of Eabha McDowall, Josie Flanagan, Cillian O'Meara and Jacek Rudnick were both bestowed civic recognition awards at the Birr Civic Offices after excelling in their chosen fields.
Birr Municipal District Councillors Hugh Egan, John Leahy, Peter Ormond, Eleanor Clendennen, Audrey Hennessy-Kennedy and Sean Maher were all in attendance at the event.
Local TD's Tony McCormack and John Clendennen were also present along with Offaly County Council Director of Services Ann Dillon, Birr MD Administrative Officer Mary Flynn Kenny, Birr MD Clerical Officer Deidre King and Birr MD Staff Officer Deirdre Molloy.
Each student was joined by their families as they were presented with a bespoke medallion and scroll in recognition of their monumental achievements on the European and world stage.
Sixteen-year-old Lucie Pardy was being recognised for her achievements in Irish dancing where she has won four world titles for solos, four world titles for teams, two All-Ireland titles, three All-Scotland titles, two Great Britain titles and a Munster title since 2023 competing from U-13 to U-16 levels.
Lucie originally started dancing at the age of five with her first class in Dooly's Hotel with her teachers Bernadette Flynn and Damien O'Kane from the Flynn O'Kane School of Dance.
Lucie now dances in Nenagh four times a week which can rise to six times coming up to major competitions as well as two strength and conditioning classes a week. She also passes on her extensive knowledge and experience in the sport to the younger generation by helping her dancing teachers in their Birr beginners classes on a Tuesday.
St. Brendan's Community School debate team of Eabha McDowall, Josie Flanagan, Cillian O'Meara and Jacek Rudnick were also being honoured as they enjoyed huge success securing both national and European wins.
They progressed through the Leinster stage of the Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools (ACCS) to win the Leinster title before going on to win the All-Ireland title in Cavan in the ACCS conference against Galway's Glenamaddy Community School.
The victory was centered around the debate 'student voice should have the final say on a school's code of behaviour' which Birr successfully argued against.
The team who are mentored by coaches Ms. Beverley Lavin, Ms. Mairead Keyes and St Brendan's CS Principal John Kennedy then went on to the European competition in Brussels winning all their debates in the heat and then the final against Hungary where the motion was 'we live in a post-truth society'.
Birr MD Cathaoirleach Hugh Egan opened proceedings at the event as he stated: "It's a pleasure for me to be here this evening to honour the debating team and Lucy on their achievements, Birr is well known for winning All-Ireland medals but world and European honours don't come around too often."
The Fine Gael Councillor praised Lucie Pardy's enormous accomplishments within Irish Dancing. He said: "To reach the top once at a world level is an incredible feat but to do it four times in four years puts Lucie in truly elite company. The achievement speaks to her unwavering commitment to excellence, and her ability to rise to the very highest standards at a world stage."
The Cathaoirleach also honoured the success of the Birr debate team. "To our debaters, what you've accomplished is nothing short of exceptional, to progress through Leinster and then to emerge victorious at national level, before going on to win the European debating championships in Brussels."
He added: "Its an achievement that deserves genuine acknowledgement, debating at this level is not just about speaking well but also critically thinking under pressure, razor-sharp analysis, the ability to listen deeply, respond respectfully and to persuade with clarity and confidence."
Director of Services at Offaly County Council, Ann Dillon paid tribute to all the recipients on the evening as she highlighted: "Achieving locally, in Leinster and national titles are all really important but European and world level is really something to be celebrated. We hope that this recognition will create memories for you for the future and you look back on this achievement with pride."
The elected members of Birr Municipal District then took it in turns to say a few words about the historic achievements of the students. This began with Eleanor Clendennen who originally brought the motion of the Civic Reception before the Birr Municipal District weeks earlier.
Councillor Clendennen remarked: "I'm honoured to be here this evening to recognise these achievements, to be a four-time world champion is massive. I think most people would only dream of it happening once and be happy so this just shows your true character, and determination to excel so well done Lucie.
She went on to say: "To our debaters, you've demonstrated your ability to perform as a team, your excellence in speaking under pressure. You opened Birr Vintage week last year and it was obvious from your speeches there why you were European champions, you are all a credit to your school, community and country."
"It's great to hear you have been giving back to the young people coming up because despite being very young, you're an idol yourself to them now and to give time back, that just shows your character and I have no doubt you are going to be very successful no matter what you do in life."
The Birr Leas-Cathaoirleach also sang the praises of the debate team as he expressed: "Well done on your unbelievable success, when that clock goes on and the buzzer sounds, you have to perform and that's a very difficult thing so to be your age and to able to do that under that type of pressure is massive. We are so privileged as people of Offaly to be in a room with such talent and success, I wish you all the best for the future."
Speaking on the debate team, Councillor Audrey Hennessy-Kennedy said: "You went to the European parliament and won four of your debates which is a fantastic achievement, its a proud day for the school, your families and yourselves and I hope you all realise in times to come what this honour truly means this evening."
Referring to Lucie's success in Chicago, She reflected: "I was delighted to be part of the organisation for your homecoming on April 5 as part of the recognition of what you've achieved, it just shows the extraordinary determination and commitment which is a true reflection of the work ethic needed to reach the level in which you dance at. You're an amazing young woman and the very best of luck for the future."
The Sinn Féin representative added: "I want to also congratulate our European debating team, another fantastic achievement, we're all looking forward to seeing what you all go on to accomplish in the future, I want to acknowledge the teachers that put their time into the debating as well."
Councillor Peter Ormond was the final elected member of Birr MD to show his appreciation to the triumphs of the students at international level. He said: "Its a fantastic honour to be recognised by your local authority with a Civic Reception, its not something that's done on a regular basis, this might only be the second or third one of the last number of years, so it really is a great honour and it's something that as the years go by you'll probably appreciate more and more."
Councillor Ormond finished by saying: "Birr MD are fortunate to have so many people with such talent, and that's what we're recognising here this evening, its a great privilege for us to have you all here this evening, well done to everyone and keep up the good work."
The Civic Reception concluded with a speech from debate team member Eabha McDowall who eloquently conveyed: "On behalf of the debating team, we would like to sincerely thank you all for inviting us here this evening at this wonderful civic reception. It has truly been an unforgettable experience for all of us, we are incredibly proud to represent our school, St Brendan's and our town of birr on our amazing journey, it was honestly a dream come true."
She added: It was a fantastic experience which thought us so much, to come away from it with so much success is something we will always treasure, we are so grateful for the support we received along the way from our families, our teachers, our coaches and mentors and most of all our community, we would especially like to thank the town for their continued encouragement and support."
Eabha finished her speech by recognising the achievements of her fellow student Lucie Pardy stating: "Your perseverance, pride, passion, perfectionism, of the dance art form is so admirable. Your praise is echoed throughout the corridors of the school, in this town and across this county, and now the country and we extend our huge congratulations from the debate team."