St. Columb’s said the school was delighted to host Dr. McKeown as he prepares to retire from his role as Bishop of Derry.
As a small expression of the school’s gratitude, Head Boy Ben had the honour of presenting Bishop Dónal with a token of appreciation on behalf of the College.
Mr. McGurk attended St. Columb’s between 1988 and 1995 then went on to study Law at Cambridge University. He graduated with a Doctorate in Legal Philosophy at Oxford University. He was appointed appointed King’s Council in 2024 and has numerous legal publications to his name.
He was described as an inspiration to all College boys and the school said it was delighted to welcome him back.
A particularly meaningful moment during the ceremony was the presentation of the Paula McGurk Scholarship Award, established by the McGurk family in loving memory of their mother, Paula.
17. Group pictured at the St. Columb's College Senior Prizegiving on Thursday last. At back from left, Bishop Donal McKeone, Mrs Aisling Leonard (Head of English), Mrs Leanne Toner (Head of IT), Mr Liam Boyle (Head of History / Government and Politics), Mr John Johnston (VP), Mrs Sinéad McGonigle (Teacher Governor), Mrs Catherine Browne (Head of Year 12 – outgoing), Mrs Caroline McLaughlin (Principal), and Fr Stephen Ward (School Chaplain). Front from left are Rory O'Kane, Patrick Maguire, Matthew O Brien, Caiden Morrison, Mrs Paddy Kelly (Chair of the Board of Governors), Aidan Williams and Marcás McLaughlin. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)
Group pictured at the St. Columb's College Senior Prizegiving on Thursday last. At back from left, Bishop Donal McKeone, Mrs Aisling Leonard (Head of English), Mrs Leanne Toner (Head of IT), Mr Liam Boyle (Head of History / Government and Politics), Mr John Johnston (VP), Mrs Sinéad McGonigle (Teacher Governor), Mrs Catherine Browne (Head of Year 12 – outgoing), Mrs Caroline McLaughlin (Principal), and Fr Stephen Ward (School Chaplain). Front from left are Rory O'Kane, Patrick Maguire, Matthew O Brien, Caiden Morrison, Mrs Paddy Kelly (Chair of the Board of Governors), Aidan Williams and Marcás McLaughlin. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography) : . Photo: Jim McCafferty
18. Special guest and past pupil at the St. Columb's College Senior Prizegiving, Mr Brendan McGurk KC presenting Logan Davis-Moran with the Monsignor Coulter Award for Humanities at Thursday's Awards ceremony. At back are Bishop Donal McKeown, Mrs Caroline McLaughlin (Principal) and Fr Stephen Ward (School Chaplain).
Special guest and past pupil at the St. Columb's College Senior Prizegiving, Mr Brendan McGurk KC presenting Logan Davis-Moran with the Monsignor Coulter Award for Humanities at Thursday's Awards ceremony. At back are Bishop Donal McKeown, Mrs Caroline McLaughlin (Principal) and Fr Stephen Ward (School Chaplain). : . Photo: Jim McCafferty
19. Principal of St. Columb's College, Mrs. Caroline McLaughlin, addressing the attendance at Thursday's Senior Prizegiving in the school. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)
Principal of St. Columb's College, Mrs. Caroline McLaughlin, addressing the attendance at Thursday's Senior Prizegiving in the school. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography) : . Photo: Jim McCafferty