Ashton School.

The Hall of Fame award ceremony was held in the P.E. Hall at Ashton on Feb. 21^st with the recipient being past-pupil, Éanna Hardwicke. Thespian and actor trailblazing his way in the world of drama and specifically, film.

Éanna gave of his time generously on the day.  He participated in a ‘Question and Answer’ session with 5^th year students, and with 6^th year students.  Many interesting questions were posed and the answers were enlightening and informative of how Éanna has progressed his life in the world of film and drama.  He spent time with staff, some of whom taught him as a student in Ashton, and was gracious as always, in his interactions with everyone.

In the P.E. hall where Éanna  was welcomed by Mr. Landen, ably assisted by Mr. Lester, and Ms. Savage,  students  Emily Gash, Kornel Bagi, Jack O’Sullivan, Kerri Higgins, and Michael Daniel read poems and spoke in welcome of Éanna.  Mr. Landen referenced  Éanna’s work in film, from his earliest success in 2007 in ‘Woyzek’ with Corcodorca.  Acting classes were attended regularly during his time at Ashton, supported by his family throughout.

This was followed by his studies at Lir, the National Academy of Dramatic Art in Dublin, after his Leaving Certificate examinations in 2015. He graduated in 2018 and was cast in ‘Vivarium’ directed by Lorcan Finnegan, which went on to screen at Critic’s Week in Cannes Film Festival in 2019.  He performed on Krypton for Scy-Fy and  starred also in Macbeth. He gained widespread recognition for his role as Rob in the adaptation of Sally Rooney’s ‘ Normal people’.   This was followed by a most successful role in ‘Smother’ on RTE1  in 2020 earning a ‘Best Actor’ award. He has had major roles in many other films roles in 2021, including ‘Sparrow’, winning Best Debut Irish film.  ‘Fate’, and the film ‘Lakelands’, winning Best Irish Film, and in 2022 showcasing at the Galway Film Fleadh.

2023 saw Éanna starring as  Ben Field in the critically acclaimed BBC1 drama ‘ The Sixth Commandment’,  and Silas Reade in ‘The Doll Factory’.  At the IFTA Awards, Éanna was nominated for Best Actor  and Rising Star award for his role in ‘Lakelands’, and at the Berlin International Film Festival was awarded  the ‘Shooting Star Award’, following in the footsteps of others like Donal Gleeson.

2024 and looking ahead sees him featuring in ‘A Very Royal Scandal’, and as Wilhelm Tell in the upcoming feature film ‘Wilhelm Tell’.

Mr. Landen presented Éanna with the Hall of Fame Award,  followed by  Eanna’s  inspiring words to the whole school cohort with his ‘bullett-points’ of advice, ‘treat others as you would like to be treated, be kind always, find what you enjoy in life and follow up on this if possible, as a career choice’, amongst other advice.   We all heartily enjoyed his presence among us, his honesty, humility, and integrity shining through at all times.  We wish him well in all his thespian/film roles, and will be ‘cheering him on’ always!  A most worthy recipient.

Badminton is back again, coached by Ms. Desmond, Ms. Stoutt and Mr. Kelly. Players from 1^st to 6^th year played a riveting tournament recently in Mount Mercy School, with skillful and determind play in evidence.

Senior Boys Soccer team  played against Eamonn Ris school Turners Cross.  This was a great skillful match with an exciting result for Ashton, scoring 4 all, winning on penalties.  Well done to the team, their coaches Mr. Kirwan and Mr. O’Sullivan.

The Senior Girls hockey team played the Quarter Final of The Plate against Newtown, Co. Waterford. This exciting game was won by Ashton on ‘shuttles’, adding to the tension, coached by David Ruddock and Jamie Venner.  Well done to all involved.

The Senior Boys hockey team continue their training preparations for upcoming matches.

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