GOLD MEDAL FOR CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE
In 1922, Rev Dr Byrne Archbishop of Dublin, ordered a written examination in Christian Doctrine to be held annually in May. In 1934 a new award was inaugurated by the Union. A Gold Medal for Christian Doctrine (design similar to the school badge in 18 carat gold and enamel) would be awarded each year to a senior pupil of the school based on the results of the Bishop’s Examination. This was open to 4th, 5th and 6th year students. The first recipient of the Gold Medal in June 1935 was Pamela O’Reilly. Other recipients of the award were Ann McGrath (1956) Angela O’Dwyer (1960) Veronica Lynch (1962), Kathleen McKeown (Sr Maris Stella) (1963), Mary O'Callaghan (1965) and Joan Caffrey(1967). The winning student held the gold medal for the year, and was awarded a gold pin with a similar crest to keep. Sr Maris Stella kindly loaned her gold pin to DCPPU for the Centenary Archive Exhibition. This award has ceased as the Bishop’s Christian Doctrine Examination is no longer held.
Sr Maris Stella's Gold Pin for Christian Doctrine
Combined Dominican Unions’ Golf Society and Outing
In 1963 Joan Priestman (nee Horne) a past pupil of Muckross and Wicklow founded a golf society for Dominican girls. Our Golf Society members participate in this Combined Dominican Unions’ Golf Society and Outing where teams from the different Dominican schools compete for a Trophy which was presented to the Society by Waterford Glass. The trophy is of Waterford Glass on a mahogany plinth with silver plates on all sides on which is engraved the name of the winning school and the year. The team with the best three scores wins the trophy and the team from our union is very well represented on this trophy. 71 ladies played in the first outing and to make you envious again, the green fees were ten shillings and the cost of the supper was four shillings. In 2008, 65 ladies played with 24 golfers from DCPPU.
MARGARET BURKE SHERIDAN CUP
The Margaret Burke Sheridan Cup is presented to the winner of the Feis Ceoil Prizewinners Competition for singers who have already won either first or second place in another competition for female voice - soprano, mezzosoprano or contralto. This is a wonderful competition with entrants of a very high standard, and members of the public are welcome to attend. The very elegant cup was donated by Prince Ferdinando d’Ardia Caracciola. Each year our Union President is invited by Feis Ceoil to present the cup to the winner, in recognition of the great love and affection Margaret had for Eccles Street. Ann Killeen was delighted to present the cup to this year’s winner, Gemma Ní Bhriain.
Pauline Coakley, President