St Dominic’s Grammar School for Girls in Belfast celebrated founder’s day last week, 140 years after first opening its doors.

In April 1870, five Dominican nuns took over the newly built Convent of St Mary’s on the Falls Road and opened a day school with four pupils and one boarder.

The school invited Dominican Sisters from throughout Ireland who had attended or taught in the school over the years to join the celebrations, and former teachers and past pupils gave speeches.

There were also poetry readings, choral speaking, performances from the junior and senior orchestras and African drumming.

Carol McCann, headteacher at St Dominic’s since 2007, said the school was part of a long tradition.

“Generations of girls from across Belfast and further afield have benefited from, and enjoyed, a first-class education in St Dominic’s and have gone on to play leading roles in society,” she said. MR.