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Last wee St Patrick’s High School, Keady welcomed two of the most iconic trophies in Irish and international sport — the Sam Maguire and the Claret Jug.
The visit marked a proud moment for the school and the wider community, as the trophies were paraded in celebration of sporting excellence and the values of teamwork, determination, and local pride. Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty was on hand to see the historic event.
Speaking after the event, Mr McNulty said: "It was an absolute privilege to visit St. Patrick’s High School today to celebrate not only the arrival of the Sam Maguire and the Claret Jug, but the outstanding achievements of this school community.
“The energy and enthusiasm at the school was electric — a testament to the spirit that lives at the heart of this school. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the sports field, or in the arts, the students of St. Patrick’s are excelling and making their community proud."
Mr McNulty continued "The culture of excellence at St. Patrick’s doesn’t happen by accident. It’s down to the unwavering commitment of the teaching staff, leadership team, and support workers who go above and beyond every day to create a nurturing and high-achieving environment. They are shaping not only successful students, but resilient and compassionate young people.
"St. Patrick’s is a beacon of community pride — where talent is recognised, nurtured, and celebrated. Days like this remind us all what can be achieved when young people are supported to dream big and work hard."
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Students from the Southern Regional College’s Creative Music and Audio Production Foundation Degree have returned from a transformative four day international tour to Berlin. The music students showcased their original music with stunning performances on a global stage.
The tour featured performances and creative projects by three emerging artists - The Magic, Discworld, and Saran - who took the German capital by storm. At the heart of the tour was an exclusive recording session at the world-renowned concert and event venue, Funkhaus Berlin, in collaboration with creative partners Catalyst Institute for Creative Arts & Technology, as part of The Magic’s upcoming "Live in Berlin" film series. You can also see The Magic at an upcoming gig at The Magnet Centre on Saturday 3 May supporting Problem Patterns.
Saran and their band delivered a powerful live set at the iconic Speiches Rock and Blues Bar, captivating the Berlin crowd and earning a well-deserved encore. Meanwhile, Discworld turned the streets of Berlin into a film set, shooting a music video at the legendary Teufelsberg Radio Towers.
This immersive project was made possible by the students’ own dedication. Over 8 months, they raised more than £4,500 through a series of lunchtime gigs and full-scale events, putting on over 10 live shows throughout the year.
The tour stands as a testament to SRC’s commitment to real-world creative development through its Creative Music and Audio Production Foundation Degree - a forward-thinking programme that puts students at the centre of the music industry.
The project was proudly supported by local businesses, whose sponsorship helped bring this unforgettable journey to life.
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Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald is encouraging A Level and Level 3 Extended Diploma students to consider applying for the 2025 JP McManus All Ireland Scholarship Scheme.
The annual scholarships, first offered in Northern Ireland in 2009, are funded by businessman JP McManus and provide financial assistance to top-performing students from low-income households who intend to take up full-time undergraduate courses in the coming autumn. The value of each scholarship is £5,500 per annum for the duration of their undergraduate degree programme.
Recognising the opportunities afforded by the scholarships, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: “Education can be life-changing but many students face a real financial burden. By providing financial support these scholarships will help remove that barrier and open up opportunities to more people. To date 351 students from the north have been awarded a scholarship and it is great news that 25 more are now available.”
Taylor McGrath-McAllister, a second-year Natural Sciences student at Homerton College, University of Cambridge said: “The All-Ireland Scholarship has been a huge help in easing the financial burden of moving to England for university. It covers most of my rent which takes away a lot of the stress around money, especially in an expensive city like Cambridge. But the scholarship is more than just financial support. There’s a great community of alumni behind it with plenty of opportunities to connect and network.”
Second year student Elizabeth Poucher, who is studying Medicine at Queen’s University Belfast, commented: “Based on my results my school teachers encouraged me to apply for the scholarship and I am so grateful that they did. It was easy to apply and winning this scholarship has definitely eased the financial stress of university and allows me to have more time to focus on my studies. I would encourage everyone who is eligible to apply for a scholarship and in the weeks coming up to the exams put the extra effort in to getting the best results you can.”
The 25 Northern Ireland scholarships will be awarded to the top 19 performing ‘A’ level students in grant aided post primary schools and the top six performing Level 3 Extended Diploma students in the further education colleges.
Applicants must have been in receipt of the Educational Maintenance Allowance at the time of examination and due to commence an undergraduate degree at a university or further education college in September / October 2025.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 4pm on Thursday 28 August 2025.
Further information and details on how to apply are available from nidirect at www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/all-ireland-scholarships and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment at ccea.org.uk
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Southern Regional College’s (SRC) Music Department is proud to launch ‘Frequency Finder: The SRC Music Dept Podcast’, a brand-new platform dedicated to showcasing the voices, talent, and behind-the-scenes insights of Northern Ireland’s dynamic music scene.
Hosted by Factory 61, Frequency Finder delves into the journeys of artists, live sound engineers, and music industry professionals, as well as deep dives into music production and alumni success stories. Whether you're a student, aspiring musician, or industry enthusiast, this podcast is your gateway to the sounds and stories shaping Northern Ireland’s thriving music community.
In the debut episode, Paddy Craig, course co-ordinator for SRC’s Creative Music and Audio Production BA (Hons) Degree, sits down with Dani Larkin, one of Ireland’s most captivating contemporary folk artists. They explore her early songwriting spark, creative process, and experiences working in the industry. Following their discussions, the live podcast audience was treated to an exclusive Factory Sessions performance.
Upcoming guests include front-of-house engineer Lee McMahon, who has toured with ‘The 1975’, ‘And So I Watch You From Afar’, and ‘Pale Waves’, along with award winning sound engineer Ian Vennard, Head of Sound and Light at the Lyric Theatre. Expect candid discussions, insider knowledge, and inspiring stories from those making an impact in the local and international music scene.
‘Frequency Finder’ is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube with the first full length episode available now.
Keep up-to-date with the latest events and releases from SRC Music Department by following them on Facebook and Instagram @srcmusicdept, and on Instagram @wearefactory61.
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The Kilkeel High School U14, U16, and U18 teams have made history by achieving an unprecedented treble in the Ulster Hockey High School Cup Finals.
Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Pete Burns hosted a Civic Reception for the teams at Kilkeel High School on Tuesday past, 1 April to celebrate their amazing achievement.
The girls’ hockey teams claimed victory by winning three championship titles in a single competition. Speaking about this incredible achievement, Chairperson Councillor Pete Burns said, “This remarkable accomplishment by the girls’ hockey teams highlights the dedication, teamwork and determination of the players and coaches and is a testament to the strength of the school’s sports programme. I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the parents and coaches for their unwavering support which undoubtably helped them to achieve their incredible successes.”
“Your tenacity and determination have truly shone through. You've shown what it means to persevere and to work as a team."
Cllr Byrne added that he had no doubt that the team members have a bright sporting future ahead.
He continued, “In addition to the girls' historic achievements, Kilkeel High School’s boys’ teams also made it to the finals in their respective competitions, narrowly missing out on the title. The girls' victories and the boys’ impressive runs in their respective finals have made for a truly memorable week for Kilkeel High School, one that will be celebrated for years to come.”
To mark this historic occasion, Councillor Burns presented an engraved crystal bowl to the school in recognition of their achievement.
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One of Super Trowel’s regional heats took place at Southern Regional College’s Greenbank, Newry campus in late March. The regional heat gave spectators an insight into the thrill that accompanies the fierce competition that exists within bricklaying. Super Trowel is the ultimate bricklaying competition, celebrating craftmanship, speed and precision. However, it is more than just a bricklaying competition; it is a celebration of skill and determination.
This year marks a significant milestone with the first ever regional competition taking place on the island of Ireland. The event was the second of five regional heats in the 2025 competition series and marks a pivotal moment for bricklayers locally to demonstrate their skills.
On the day, seven teams each consisting of a bricklayer and hod carrier, battled it out to build walls under the watchful eyes of judges and to competition requirements. Contestants were allowed two hours prior to the competition, to set their starter courses of blocks and bricks, with the actual contest consisting of a pressurised 60-minute duration, followed up by a 20-minute jointing and pointing up period.
Points were awarded for the number of bricks laid. But deductions were also enforced for any bricks that did not meet the judges’ strict marking criteria. Ash Mahoney along with hod carrier Reece Keane, were triumphant with a first-place win consisting of 634 bricks laid (704 before deductions). Event winner Ash, was no stranger to the competition, having previously competed in Super Trowel regional events.
Among the skilled competitors were former SRC students Shane Roe and Roche McParland. Shane achieved an impressive 3rd place, laying 442 bricks (509 before deductions), bringing 16 years of experience to the competition.
Both Ash Mahony and second place finisher Damien O’Neill will now progress to the Super Trowel National Final which takes place on 13th and 14th August at the NAEC Stoneleigh Park exhibition and conference venue in Warwickshire. One wild card entry from the UK qualifiers is still available for the highest 3rd place finisher. It remains to be seen whether Shane Roe will secure this spot, with regional competition activities concluding at the end of April.
Gareth Mone, Curriculum Area Manager at Southern Regional College commented: “We were delighted to host the 2025 Super Trowel regional heat here at Southern Regional College within our dedicated training centre at the Greenbank campus. Contestants certainly brought the skill of bricklaying to the fore and demonstrated the craftmanship that goes into laying bricks. Congratulations to all who took part in the competition, it takes immense courage and nerves of steel to compete under the judges’ intense scrutiny. Here, at the College, we look forward to making this an annual event. Mark your calendars now for next years event.”
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Launched in 2022 the Employ Me programme has had a massive impact on community residents within Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon District Council. A celebration event was held last week on the Southern Regional College’s Newry campus where programme partners and guests came together to celebrate the vast impact of the scheme to date.
Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund the programme has enabled participants to transform their future. The programme targeted economically inactive participants, those the furthest from the job market with specific support available for those facing additional challenges, from people with caring responsibilities, long-term unemployed individuals, those with past involvement in the justice system, and women seeking to return to work.
A unique partnership between Clanrye Group, Community Advice Newry Mourne and Down, Women’s Aid Armagh Down and SRC, this partnership has provided programme participants with essential vocational training and qualifications to secure employment and wraparound support from CV building, interview skills, counselling and short workshops, to break down barriers and help participants on their journey back to employment.
Speaking on the programme’s success, Lee Campbell, Principal & CEO of Southern Regional College commented: “The collaboration and partnership between sectors brings the strengths, reach, specialist advice, support and services of our voluntary and community sector partners together with the vocational training and expertise of Southern Regional College. We look forward to continuing this work with our partners, to support local people into meaningful jobs and well as supporting employers to address labour shortages and continuing to provide the best possible support for the people we serve.”
At the programme outset, Employ Me set out to support 1,400 individuals. The programme smashed this target enrolling and supporting close to 1,700 individuals in the last two years, 123% of the original target. Males and females have been equally supported in the programme with 845 programme participants being female and 840 participants being male. All ages were encouraged to engage with the programme, with 70% of participants within the age range of 19-49 years old, 23% being aged 50 plus and the remaining 7% between the ages of 16-18 years old.
Kellie Murray, CEO Community Advice Newry, Mourne and Down further added: "Employ Me is a programme to support the most vulnerable in our society. We are here to support individuals, do a benefit check and show that they are financially better off having a job."
Eileen Murphy, CEO of Women’s Aid Armagh Down added to this sentiment: “The voluntary and community sector working alongside each other is really important because the response to domestic abuse has to be a whole society response. The future potential of the programme is significant and we were delighted to be part of this unique opportunity.”
Funding for Employ Me will continue until March 2026.
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Earlier this month Southern Regional College (SRC) students, Leah Omuvwie and Albert Karomo had the honour of attending a prestigious event at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) headquarters in London. This occasion marked the official relaunch of the Royal College of Nursing Prince of Wales Nursing Cadet scheme, now known as the Royal College of Nursing King’s Nursing Cadets. It also celebrated the 1000th RCN Nursing Cadet, with His Majesty the King in attendance.
This year, SRC partnered with Belfast Metropolitan College and the Southern Health and Social Care Trust to provide students with the opportunity to participate in the programme and gain invaluable work experience.
Leah and Albert both currently study the Health & Social Care Advanced Technical Award Level 3 Extended Diploma at Newry and Lurgan campuses, and participated in the cadet programme last year, gaining significant experience through a placement with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS). Their positive experience motivated them to return as ambassadors, offering one-on-one support to this year's cadets.
Their dedication and hard work earned them the opportunity to represent SRC and Northern Ireland at this significant event. Reflecting on their experience, Albert stated “This opportunity has been transformative both personally and professional. Participating in this programme has opened many doors and enhanced my confidence.” Leah echoed his sentiment, saying, “The scheme has given me so much more confidence”.
Sara Gilpin, Course Director Levels 4 & 5 Health & Social Care and SRC Lead for RNC Kings Nursing Cadets Scheme further commented: “I believe this is an excellent opportunity for young people to gain an insight into health and social care and explore the various career paths available in the field. Leah and Albert have been fantastic ambassadors for SRC and Northern Ireland and their support towards the new Cadets has been highly valued.”
This programme offers young people access to academic study and hands-on experience within the health and social care sector. Cadets complete 40 hours teaching and learning, plus 20 hours clinical observation within a healthcare environment. The programme serves as an excellent stepping stone for individuals aged between 16-25 years old who wish to pursue a career in this sector.
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Pupils from St Joseph’s Boys High School and St Mary’s High School in Newry took part in an Education2Employment Career Pathways event at St Mary's High School yesterday, 27 March.
The event was funded by the Department for Communities and is managed and co-ordinated by Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency. The Programme targets the Neighbourhood Renewal Area and resident secondary school pupils and primary school pupils aged 11-18 attending schools servicing the Newry Neighbourhood Renewal Area (NRA).
The Education2Employment Programme has four distinctive though interlinked elements:
The programme provides guidance and mentoring to young people from the Newry Neighbourhood Renewal Area and this gives them direct exposure to the world of work and of running a business.
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