On Monday the 23rd of October we had a very special visitor to our school. Rhys McClenaghan is a Northern Irish artistic gymnast competing internationally for both Northern Ireland and Ireland. He is a double world champion on pommel horse, having won gold in 2022 and 2023, the first Irish artistic gymnast ever to win world championship gold. In 2019, he became the first Irish gymnast to qualify to a world championships final and to also win a medal, taking bronze on pommel horse.

The children had decorated the hall in stunning art work created for Rhys’ arrival. A special thanks to Mr. Dignam and his 4th class students who not only sang a song for Rhys but had written the lyrics and music too!

Rhys gave a speech to the children, encouraging them to never give up on their dreams. He highlighted that things don’t always go to plan but with hard work and determination, anything is possible.

He very kindly brought in his world championship gold medal and passed it around for each child to hold. Rhys is an inspirational young man and we wish him all the best with his upcoming events.