St Paul's High School Bessbrook

St Paul's High School, Bessbrook (Irish, "Ardscoil Naomh Pól, An Sruthán") is an English-medium all-ability, co-educational secondary school located on the outskirts of Bessbrook near Newry, in the County Armagh. It is a Catholic maintained, day school for boys and girls aged 11 to 18, with 1285 pupils (including a Learning Support Centre for students with moderate learning difficulties). It is within the Southern Education and Library Board area.
The Principal is Mr Oliver Mooney, who was appointed to the position in 2002.

Principals

Since the foundation of the school in 1966 there have been three Principals. Mr Michael Warde (1966 - 1996), Mr Francis Duffy (1996 - 2002) and Mr Oliver Mooney (2002 - present).

Location

The school is located on a multi-acre modern campus, situated on the main Newry to Camlough road (A25). The school was recently extensively re-built and refurbished with a £17 million grant from the Department of Education. The new school was officially opened on 25 January 2007 by His Grace, Archbishop Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh, and Primate of All Ireland, on the feast day of The Conversion of St. Paul.
President of Ireland, Mary McAleese visited St Paul's on 9 November 2006 as part of the celebrations to mark the completion of the extensive renovation of the school.

Notable Alumni and staff members (past and present)

Dominic Bradley, Social Democratic and Labour Party politician and Northern Ireland Assembly Member for Newry and Armagh. Currently on leave of absence from teaching staff. Formerly Head of Year, and Acting Head of Irish Department.

Jarlath Burns, former Armagh GAA captain and TV personality. Currently Vice-Principal.

Eamonn Collins, IRA supergrass murdered in 1999.

Susan Lynch, actress, has starred in Waking Ned and numerous TV productions.

Steven McDonnell, All-Ireland winning Armagh GAA footballer and former All-Star.

Conor McGinn, Labour politician and Vice-Chair of the Young Fabians.

Dáithí Ó Muirí, broadcaster with RTÉ. Currently member of Irish Department.

John Toal, Irish language broadcaster, for, amongst others BBC Radio Ulster

Martin O'Rourke, Armagh GAA Senior Player. Currently a PE Teacher.

John Rafferty, Former Armagh GAA Senior Assistant Manager, Former Armagh Senior Player. Currently Head of PE

External links

* [http://www.stpaulsbessbrook.org/ St Paul's High School Official Website]

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