PUPILS from St Cholmcille’s National School, Carrickmacross had their confirmation all wrapped up when they made their confirmation in Inniskeen dressed in identical cream gowns with a gold tie last Sunday, 13 May.

School Principal Larry McDermot believes the use of gowns takes pressure off parents. “It means less pressure on parents to spend a huge amount on clothes that are only worn once. The gown also clearly identifies what children are being confirmed making them feel special on the day for the right reasons.” Local children also have to be careful about what way their hair is styled so that they can fit the gown over their head!

“It’s a sad case when we see children making communion getting their tan done and arriving in stretch limos – this just leads to greater expectations for confirmation and God help these parents when it comes to their weddings!”

Mr McDermot said parents are now buying more practical outfits for under the gowns and the day of waistcoats and big dresses are gone in Inniskeen.

Fr Peter McGuinness came up with the novel idea some 12 years ago, now both St Cholmcille’s and St Daigs’s National School use gowns for confirmation. Initially parents paid £5 to rent the gowns but now they are simply asked to have them dry-cleaned on return.

“At first the children said “no way” to gowns but were gob-smacked when they seen them on and then all agreed to wear them and now they enjoy wearing them,” Mr McDermot said.