New principal appointed to Athenry Vocational School

CO GALWAY VEC has announced the appointment of Ciaran Folan as the new principal at Gairmscoil Mhuire, Athenry. He succeeds Alan Mongey who has been appointed principal of the new secondary school in Claregalway and he will commence his duties officially on February 1. Ciaran Folan is currently the deputy principal at Gairmscoil Mhuire, Athenry, having been appointed in June, 2012. Prior to that, he served as Co. Galway VEC's ICT Officer between 2008-2012, during which period he led the VEC's innovative development of its ICT infrastructure. Ciaran's late father, Stiofáin, taught at the former St Michael's Vocational School, Ballinasloe for many years and was principal there until 1978.[private] Ciaran commenced his teaching career in Gairmscoil Mhuire, Athenry where he taught English and Mathematics from 1983 to 1999. Subsequently, he was seconded to the National Centre for Technology in Education, where he spent nine years as an ICT advisor, based in the Galway Education Centre. During this period, he was responsible for the planning, development and delivery of a programme of support for primary and post-primary principals and staff in relation to all aspects of the Department's ICT in Schools Programme. In welcoming Mr. Folan's appointment, the CEO of Co. Galway VEC Seosamh Mac Donncha, stated that the VEC was delighted to be in a position to appoint such a highly qualified and innovative educational leader to head up Athenry Vocational School. He added that Ciaran will receive the fullest support from the VEC as he undertakes the challenging task of building the new school approved by the Department of Education and Skills for Gairmscoil Mhuire. Co. Galway VEC has already commenced the process of appointing a successor to Ciaran Folan and the position of deputy principal is being advertised this weekend.[/private]