A WONDERFUL gathering of past pupils, staff and friends from across six decades marked a very special chapter in the history of Loreto Community School, Milford last Saturday.
The school celebrated 60 years since Loreto first opened its doors in Milford, 30 years as a Community School and 20 years in its present building.
The afternoon of celebration was a tremendous success, with large numbers of former students and staff returning to Milford from near and far. Particularly special was the representation from the school’s three distinct eras, those who attended the original Loreto school, those who experienced the transition to Community School, and those whose school days were spent in the new building.
Organisers were delighted to be joined by Fr Dinny McGettigan who led the service. Former Principals, Sr Marie Celine Clegg and Andrew Kelly were present as were Sr Eveleen Hallinan, Sr Anne Farren and Sr Anna McAuliffe as well as Sr Kathleen Fitzpatrick and Peter McNamara from the Loreto Education Centre.
Other attendees included former secretary Patricia Carr, former Deputy Principal Mary McGinley and Anne McHugh, CE Donegal ETB.
Former students Francis Diver from the Tirconaill Tribune and Donna McBride from the Donegal News were there to capture pictures of the day.
The hardworking committee, led by Michael McGroarty who is a former student and now a teacher in the school with responsibility for the archives, John Lynch, Brenda Crawford, Anita Sweeney, Donna Coyle and Hazel O’ Driscoll put together a wonderful afternoon which was enjoyed by many.
For many, it was an opportunity to reconnect with old friends, revisit treasured memories and meet people with whom they had shared an important part of their lives. The atmosphere throughout the afternoon was one of warmth, friendship and good humour, with plenty of stories exchanged and many familiar faces reunited after decades apart.
While the original school buildings are no longer there, the celebration reinforced the message that a school is about far more than bricks and mortar.
The first class of Loreto Milford students from 1966 pictured at Saturday’s school reunion celebrations.
As Principal Margaret O’Connor reflected during the opening of the commemorative prayer service, “The heart of a school is found in its people.” The friendships, experiences, laughter, challenges and relationships formed over the years are what ultimately remain with people and bring them back together.
The celebration also paid tribute to the Loreto Sisters whose vision and courage brought secondary education to the rural community of Milford in 1966. Their legacy of faith, education, service and belief in the dignity and potential of every young person remains an important part of the school’s identity today.
One of the most memorable features of the celebrations was the use of the legendary stained-glass windows as a theme which had been such a distinctive feature of the original chapel. The beautiful imagery became a recurring theme throughout the anniversary, appearing in the commemorative booklet and, in a particularly spectacular tribute to the school’s heritage, taking centre stage on the anniversary cake.
The extraordinary cake was baked and decorated by Shauna Gallagher of Ned’s Bakery, and was a talking point throughout the afternoon. Three beautifully detailed images representing the three eras of the school featured alongside an intricate recreation of the famous stained-glass window. The level of detail in the window was particularly remarkable and provided a beautiful visual link between the school’s past and present. The cake was not only stunning to look at but was also greatly praised for its flavour and texture.
Two former principals, Sr Marie Celine and Andrew Kelly, with current school principal, Margaret O’Connor, cutting the cake at the Loreto Milford 1966-2026 celebrations on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Donna El Assaad
The school archives and photograph collections also proved hugely popular, with former students enjoying the opportunity to browse photographs and memorabilia from their school days and identify friends, classmates and teachers from years gone by.
The prayer service reflected the breadth of the school’s history, with six candles representing each decade from 1966 to 2026 and members of different generations of the school community taking part.
The service was led by Fr Dinny Mc Gettigan- a stalwart of Loreto, Milford. The final candle was carried by two of the youngest members of the present-day school community, symbolising the passing of the Loreto story from one generation to the next.
The afternoon was ultimately a celebration of people, the Loreto Sisters who planted the first seeds, the students and staff who followed, and the generations who continue to shape the school today.
Sixty years on, the buildings may have changed, but the connections remain. For everyone who returned to Loreto on Saturday, it was clear that the school continues to hold a very special place in the hearts of the many thousands of people who have been part of its story.
Kit and Brid Boyce, Colm Mc Gettigan and Carmel Dunleavy.
From left – Deputy Principal Noel Scott, Irene and Ivan Mc Causeland and Paul Mc Glynn.
Joe McHugh, Dan McCarthy and Fergus Friel at the Loreto Milford 1966-2026 celebrations.
