Centenary Celebrations 2024
An Overview of our Centenary Events
Welcome to the programme for our Centenary celebrations at St Louis Grammar School Ballymena! The events will be held between January - December 2024 and will give all members of the St Louis Ballymena community the opportunity to come together to celebrate 100 years of our school. As part of our celebrations, we will reflect on our school’s journey and achievements during the past 100 years and look forward to our exciting plans and our vision for the next century.
In this programme you will find information about our Centenary Key Events during 2024. We warmly invite you to participate in as many of them as you can. We look forward to seeing you at St Louis Grammar School, for what promises to be a wonderful twelve months of celebration!
Centenary Celebration Mass with Guided Tours
7th January 2024
Our Centenary begins with a celebration Mass to mark the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the St Louis Sisters to Ballymena. On 8th January 1924 on a cold snowy day, the first four Sisters of St Louis, accompanied by the Mother General and Canon McNamee, from Monaghan, arrived in Ballymena. They were warmly welcomed by the Parish Priest, Very Reverend Thomas Canon O'Donnell, who was instrumental in bringing the Sisters to Ballymena. Canon O'Donnell had long been anxious to establish a Convent for the education of the Catholic girls of Ballymena so in September 1924, St Louis High School was started with an enrolment of 35 pupils. We celebrate that 100 years later St Louis Grammar School has an enrolment of 1181 and is a thriving school, providing exceptional Catholic education in the heart of Ballymena. We welcome everyone in our St Louis community to join us for this celebration Mass in the school Sports Hall on Sunday 7th January, followed by refreshments and a guided tour.
Centenary Spring Concert
26th March 2024
Our Centenary Spring Concert is an event not to be missed. Every year, the Spring Concert is a celebration of the musical successes of our pupils. In this anniversary year, we look forward to a very special performance showcasing the talents of pupils, past and present. The event will feature soloists and ensembles performing in a variety of genres spanning Classical, Contemporary and Irish Traditional Music and honour the rich heritage of Music at St Louis.
Centenary School Photo
May 2024
To mark the Centenary year, we will celebrate with a Centenary 100 photo. This will involve current pupils lined out in the shape of 100 with aerial view footage. This piece of history will be showcased on St Louis literature and complemented with staff and year group photos of all students studying at St Louis during our Centenary year.
Retro Centenary Jersey
June 2024
As part of our Centenary celebrations, you will have the opportunity to purchase an exclusive retro Centenary jersey. A design team within school, comprising of current Art and Physical Education students will work together to design a one off 100-year jersey. Be part of the celebration and enjoy wearing the St Louis colours. Keep an eye on our social media to make your purchase!
Centenary Run/Walk
June 2024
Join us for our Centenary Run/Walk to mark 100 years of St Louis Grammar School. This will be a memorable event involving the wider St Louis community. Please look out for further details on our social media and make sure to register!
Centenary Golf Classic
23rd August 2024
Galgorm Golf Club is set to host our Centenary Golf Classic. All golf enthusiasts are invited to take part in this one off event to be held at one of Northern Ireland’s finest parklands, the championship layout nestled in the heart of the historic Galgorm estate. Enjoy the company of your friends as you make your way around this fantastic golf course with a relaxing break at the 9th hole for a range of refreshments. Make sure you have the opportunity to win one of our individual or team prizes. Further details on tee times and formats will be available to you soon!
Centenary Gala Ball
9th November 2024
The St Louis Grammar School community is warmly invited to come together for an unforgettable evening to celebrate 100 years of our exceptional school. This promises to be the social event of the year and a gala like no other. Reminisce with old friends in the beautiful surroundings of the Tullyglass House Hotel. We look forward to your attendance on the evening.
Centenary Book Launch and Coffee Morning
December 2024
Packed with anecdotes and curiosities, our Centenary Book will cover the history of St Louis in Ballymena in an imaginative and eye-catching style, drawing out lots of fascinating perspectives about the development of St Louis Grammar School. We very much hope you will want to own this limited-edition book, something to be admired and treasured like our memories of St Louis itself.