Page 5 - St Mary's Voice Final

St. Mary's Voice reporters Ava Dooley and
Muireann’s Emma Moran met with
2021 Mercy Award winner,
Merciful Win Muireann Igoe, and found out what life is
like for the 2021/2 Mercy ambassador.

The Mercy Award is an esteemed honour granted Muireann, despite her modesty, is something of an
by our school to a student that represents the great icon in St. Mary’s. She stands for the school ethos
qualities: compassion, justice, integrity, respect, and is a prime example of our school’s ‘caring
heart’. She is an inspiration to other students,
faith, and service to community and parish. This especially First Years. She was very honest and
is a yearly award given to one leaving cert
student in St. Mary's Secondary School
and other schools across Ireland. “..when I heard what other generous with her advice

to those currently in St

When we caught up with Muireann, her people wrote … I was nearly in Mary’s, especially the
modesty really shone through. - it was tears.”
almost easy to see why her peers and Junior School:
teachers voted for her. For example, when “Don’t worry or feel overwhelmed with the pressure

asked how she felt when she won the award, she to be liked and make friends. It’s a big change but
humbly called it a “shock”. “I expected so many always be yourself. I know its cliché
others to win. Also, when I heard what other but it's true.” Continuing on with our down to
people wrote about me, I was nearly in tears.” earth discussion she opened up about her struggles
Indeed, such was Muireann’s surprise, she didn’t throughout the Leaving Cert. She finds the course
even have time to consider making a speech, an hard at times and says it can sometimes be difficult
opportunity that she has since considered. to find joy. She states “Sometimes I have bad days
Asked who she would have liked to mention, she going into school where I don’t want to be there or
told St. Mary’s Voice: “If I had the chance, I'd talk, but my friends jokes and smiles always make
definitely thank all my friends and classmates and me feel better.” She also adds, “I'm as happy as I'd
of course I would definitely thank my Mum and hope to be in first year” giving hope for future
Dad because they instilled those qualities. Leaving Certs. After our meeting with Muireann it
I think it was more of a reflection of others in my is evident that she deserves this award.
year.” She is a sincere, candid gal and overall, a pleasure
to speak with.

MERCY GIRL:
Muireann pictured being
The Mercy Award recognises those
who exemplify the qualities of interviewed by Ava
Mother Catherin McAuley, founder Dooley and Emma
of the Sisters of Mercy and have Moran recently.
lived by the ideals of the mercy Pics: Ava Dooley 5
tradition.