Summerhill College

Warm Welcome for New Principal

The Board of Management of the College of the Immaculate Conception, Summerhill, Sligo announced on Thursday last the appointment of Mr. Tommy McManus as new principal of the college. Tommy is a native of Frenchpark, Co Roscommon and currently resides with his family at Carraroe, Co Sligo.

Having graduated from University College Galway with a Science Degree and Higher Diploma in Education in 1974, he began his teaching career in Physics, Science and Maths at Summerhill College where he had previously spent many memorable and happy years as a student.

During his time on the staff of the college, he was an adviser and examiner in physics with the Department of Education and Skills, he acted as year head before being appointed deputy principal in 2008 and acting principal in 2009. Mr McManus has also been instrumental in progressing the design and construction of the new school building programme.

Many generations of past students, will know Mr McManus, not only as a kind and learned teacher, but also a keen sportsman. He was founder member of St. John's GAA Club and was the driving force in the organisation and provision of sport for students. In recognition of this, he was the proud recipient in 2005 of the Merit Award from President Mary McAleese for his contribution to sport in school.

Mr McManus's appointment has been warmly received by the staff, the student body and Parents' Association of the college. Welcoming his appointment as the seventeenth principal since the foundation of the college in 1857, the Board of Management wished him well and expressed the hope "that during his term of office he would not only witness the opening of a long awaited new school building but would also be instrumental in guiding the college as it continues to grow from strength to strength." The college Patron Bishop Christopher Jones noting the contribution the college has made to Sligo over the years and its proud Catholic tradition welcomed Mr McManus's appointment as an important milestone in the college's history and wished him, the staff and students of the college all the best into the future.