Last Thursday, 27th November 2014 saw Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown host our first ever Festive Food & Craft Fair, followed by a Cookery Demonstration. A lot of time & effort went in to the planning, organising & rehearsing of the event in the weeks leading up to the night. Thankfully, everything went really well on the evening much to the satisfaction of the organisers and delight of the attendees.

Deputy Principal Angela Conroy greets attendees with Evan Okoroh & Sinéad Clear during the Festive Food & Craft Fair & Cooking Demonstration @ Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown

Busy scenes from the highly successful Festive Food & Craft Fair @ Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown on Thursday, 27th November 2014
Proceedings commenced at 6.30pm with the Fair, containing many stalls from local Food Producers & Purveyors, as well as Crafts People and Service Providers. We would like to thank the Venders who took out stalls in our Fair and wish them well in their respective businesses in the future. To view Photographs & Contact Information on all of the aforementioned, please click on this link: Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown Food & Craft Fair 2014

Ms Jennifer Nolan (Music teacher) with a talented ensemble of her students added a musical note to the vibrant atmosphere @ the Fair

Christmas Helpers & TY students Kelly O’Brien, Rebecca Beehan & Dylan Ryan during the Festive Food & Craft Fair @ Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown on Thursday, 27th November 2014

Busy scenes from the highly successful Festive Food & Craft Fair @ Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown on Thursday, 27th November 2014
The Cookery Demonstration took place in the School Hall where past pupil Rosemarie Dunne (nee Sheehy), proprietor of Glebe House Bakery in Tramore, was joined by Kelly Looby (nee Long) and Alan Nealis. Rosemarie is a Pastry Chef who runs classes & parties from Glebe House, as well as having published her own Cookery Book. Kelly is a Baker & Cake Decorator, as well as running the catering company in our school canteen with her mother Pat Long. Alan is a Michelin Star trained Chef who we are fortunate to have working alongside Kelly & Pat in our highly coveted canteen.

Principal Michael Killeen with Kelly Long (Cake Decorating), Rosemarie Sheehy (Chef & owner of Glebe House Bakery, Tramore) & Alan Nealis (Michelin Star trained Chef) & Mary Sheehan (Organising Committee)

Angela Conroy (Deputy Principal) introduces the team of Alan Nealis, Rosemarie Dunne & Kelly Long for the Cookery Demonstration @ Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown on Thursday, 27th November 2014
The Chefs & Baker treated us to an excellent workshop ranging from Starters & Brown Bread, to Main Courses of Stuffed Pork & Red Wine sauce, with Deserts such as Pear & Almond Tart, Toblerone Cheesecake, Sponge & Biscuit Birthday/Celebration Cakes. The attendance of over 200 people were treated to samples of all the dishes during the interval, where they again got to mix with the Venders from the earlier Food & Craft Fair. To view more photos of the night, please click on the following link: Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown Cookery Demonstration 2014

A crowd of over 200 people enjoy the Cookery Demonstration @ Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown on Thursday, 27th November 2014

Mary Burke (Gortnahoe), Eileen Looby (Urlingford), Paula O’Brien (Borrismore), Teresa McGinn & Breda Dunphy (Clontubrid) sample the food during the Cookery Demo @ Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown (November 2014)
Overall, it was an excellent night’s entertainment that raised significant additional funds for the school to subsidise the numerous extra-curricular activities our students participate in. The management, staff & students would like to take this opportunity to again thank Rosemarie, Kelly & Alan for giving so generously of their time for the Cookery Demo. We would again like to thank the Venders who took out stalls in our Fair and wish them well in their businesses in the future We would finally like to thank our school community and those from near & far who came out in numbers to support this event and worthy cause. We hope you all enjoy a Happy Christmas & Best Wishes in the New Year.
To view more photos of the night, please click on the following links:
Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown Food & Craft Fair 2014
Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown Cookery Demonstration 2014