Year 14 Leavers Ceremony 2026
Date Posted: 6th May 2026
On Friday 1st May, we said our official farewell to the ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐ โ a group defined not just by their academic efforts, but by their resilience, individuality, and the lasting impact they have had on our school community.
They reminded us that learning doesnโt happen only in classrooms โ it happens in corridors, in conversations, in mistakes made and lessons learned.
To the Class of 2026 โ your achievements have inspired us all and shown what is possible when talent meets commitment, and when young people work together with a shared purpose.
You have embodied true leadership โ not by standing above others, but by standing with them โ reflecting the very heart of Edmund Riceโs vision of community, care and service.
We celebrated a group of young men who have demonstrated independence, self-discipline and selflessness, while balancing academic life with a wide range of extra-curricular pursuits.
Our Class of 2026 award recipients:
Well-Being Ambassador Team (2022โ2026)
Zambia Immersion Project Team 2026
Contribution to School Choir: Jakub Wolanczyk & Luke OโConnor
Contribution to School Music: Ben McConville
Contribution to Theatre/Performing Arts: Ronan Lynch & Senan McCorry
ERST Ambassadors: Kiernan Connolly & Ronan Lynch
Fitzsimmons Trophy (Modern Languages): Jakub Szwiecz
Pat Mooney Award: Niall Martin
Contribution to Senior School Soccer: Joe McGovern
Contribution to School Basketball: Oisin Quinn
Sporting Excellence Award: Adam McCann Gibbs
Abbey Past Pupils Sports Association Award: Diarmaid OโRourke
Contribution to Abbey CBS Gaelic Football (2019โ2026): Conor Laverty, Charlie McGrath, Fergus Toale, Michael OโNeill
Head Boy (2025โ2026): Lorcan Gallagher
As you move forward, remember: you are more prepared than you think. You carry with you the skills to adapt, the confidence to contribute, and the curiosity to keep learning.
Be kind โ to yourselves and to others. Success is not a straight line, and failure is not the end.
You will always have a place here.
Go forward with courage. Go forward with compassion. Take risks, embrace opportunities, and live with a full heart.
๐๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฐ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ, ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐.
Year 14 kicked off their end-of-year celebrations this week โ and what better way than the legendary ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐
๐ข๐ง๐๐ฅ.
A tradition straight out of Courtenay Hill, now firmly part of Ashgrove folkloreโฆ and this year did not disappoint.
With Down holding the 2025 bragging rights, tensions were high. We had injuries, last-minute substitutions, white shirts drafted in alongside Down and Armagh jerseys โ and plenty of โcontrolled chaos.โ
Fifty minutes of heavy tackles, aerial ping-pong and very questionable refereeing left it somehow 0โ0.
Apparently Armagh man and referee, Mr Grogan, โmisplacedโ his whistle, and obviously his watch, as the game went on a lot longer than anyone expected. In the dying seconds in popped a cross, and Down man Sam Burns nodded it into the bottom corner to snatch it for Armagh.
Another classic Yard Ball Final โ more laughs than quality football, but memories thatโll last a lifetime.
