Mrs Doherty, a native of Strabane, was one of the three Vice Principals of the Holy Cross College since its inception four years ago. Mrs Doherty was at the forefront of the plans to amalgamate the town's three Catholic Post Primary Schools into a new mulit-million pound school.

The Holy Cross College's new state-of-the-art building will open at the Melmount Road site in September, with around 1,500 pupils on the rolls.

Mrs Doherty (nee Harley) will succeed the current principal, Mr Sean Bradley upon his retirement in January of next year.

Speaking to the 'Journal' previously, Mr. Bradley said the incoming principal of Holy Cross College will head up "an excellent school which is well-placed to meet the changes and challenges ahead."

The college - the successful amalgamation of Strabane's three Catholic post-primary schools, the Convent Grammar, St Colman's High and Our Lady of Mercy High - has operated across the former school buildings for the past four years. The all-ability college has recognised grammar (bilateral) status.

Maria Doherty had been teaching religious studies at the former Convent Grammar School for the past twenty years before appointed joint Vice Principal of the new school.

Congratulating Mrs Doherty on her appointment, Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors Eugene Mullen said: "This is an excellent appointment for someone who is very passionate about the whole philosophy of the new Holy Cross College.

"Maria has tremendous time and energy for the whole transfer process and I have great faith in her ability to oversee the running of the new college," he said.

The official handover of the principal role will take place in January 2009.