Alison Nic Giolla Bhríde received the ultimate accolade at Monday’s Tionól Scoile (School Assembly) when she received the much coveted Coláiste Oiriall Student of the Year award.

Alison received her primary school education in Gaelscoil Ultain. She has two brothers, Gavin and Daithi, the latter also receiving Student of the Year title six years ago. Her parents are Ian and Sandra McBride, Ballinode. As well as English, Irish and Maths, Alison is studying Accounting, Biology, Home Economics and French. Many congratulations to Alison. The four other students nominated were Aoife Ní Dhufaigh, Karla Ní Chleirchín, Leah Ní Mhurchú and Seán Mac Cléire. After the ceremony the nominees together with the staff retired to the staffroom for refreshments. Tá an duais, Macléinn na Bliana, teoranta do dhaltaí na séú bliana amháin. Seo an gradam is mó is féidir linn bronnadh ar dhalta. Ní amháin go mbaineann an duais le hacadúlacht ach baineann sé fosta le rannpháirtíocht, le hiarracht, le hiompar sásúil, le tinreamh sásúil agus le comhoibriú. The Student of the Year award is the greatest accolade a student can receive in Coláiste Oiriall. It is confined to 6th Year students only and encompasses all aspects of school life to include academic endeavour, adherence to school regulations, participation in extra-curricular activities and interaction with peers. This is the greatest honour that we can bestow on one of one of students annually. It far surpasses any other award that we present. It is something that the recipient and indeed the other nominees will proudly include on a CV. The following was the citation read out to support Alison Nic Giolla Bhríde’s nomination: Cailín uasal a leiríonn an-dílseacht don scoil, ceannaire an-aibí, an-pháirteach i gcispheil agus peil sa scoil.  Cathaoirleach an Choiste Ghaelbhrataigh.  An-dúil aici sa Ghaeilge agus i gcruimeas na Gaeilge, comhoibritheach, díográiseach agus rannpháirteach in achan rud sa scoil, idir acadúltacht agus spórt, girseach an-chineálta a chuidíonn lena comhdaltaí sna hábhair difriúla i gcónaí, bhuaigh sí duais náisiúnta sa chomórtas “Aistritheoirí Óga”.  Bhí sí páirteach i gcomórtas náisiúnta “La Eorpach Na dTeangacha.”
Previous Student of the Year recipients were Eilís Ní Mhaolfhábhaoil, Donna Marie Ní Mhuireagáin, Máire Nic Thaidhg, Daithí Mac Giolla Bhríde, Kerrie Ní Dhroma, Tomás de Burca, Maitiú Mac Uaid, Amy Ní Amaill and Cathal de Paor in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively. Arís déanann Coláiste Oiriall comhghairdeas ó chroí le Alison as an ghradam iomraiteach seo a bhaint aici.