Global Ireland Schools Initiative

As part of the Global Ireland Schools initiative, on Thursday, 9th January Killina Presentation Secondary School proudly welcomed Her Excellency, Hilary Reilly (nee O’Brien, Cappaloughan), past pupil and the Irish Ambassador to Malaysia. Ms. Reilly was appointed to her present role at the embassy in Kuala Lumpar in 2019, having previously served in Canada and the USA.

Accompanied by Lieutenant Stephen Brennan of the Irish Defence Forces, Ms Reilly was greeted by Mr. Cotter and former Principal, Paraic Moran. She then met with members of the current staff including some of her former teachers. Ms. Reilly spoke to the assembled students on her career to date, her current diplomatic role and on Ireland’s current campaign to secure a place on the UN Security Council . Lieutenant Brennan then gave an outline of the history and current work of the Irish Peacekeeping Forces serving with the UN.

Following an interesting Q&A with students, Ambassador Reilly and Lieutenant Brennan presented the school with the official UN flag, and in turn received copies of our specially commissioned Bicentenary book. They visited Killina’s Resource Centre and after lunch enjoyed a guided tour of the school.
Ambassador Reilly recalled many fond memories of her time in Killina, and noted the many changes since she graduated, and in an interesting example of ‘It’s a small world’, Lt Brennan pointed out that he is good friends with, and has served with, another former pupil of Killina, John Grennan, who has served with the Cadets with distinction, and his younger brother Pat is also in training with the Cadets.

Mr John Cotter, Principal, presenting Her Excellency Hilary Reilly with a copy of the Killina Bicentennial Commemoration book	Mr John Cotter, Principal, presenting Lt Brennan with a copy of the Killina Bicentennial Commemoration book
Ambassador Reilly with former teachers Bernadette O’Donavon, Mary Slevin, Breda Stewart, Principal Paraic Moran and Joe Lyttle