New College at the Heart of Downpatrick

The official launch of the new and exciting College in the heart of Downpatrick is not only a sign of the great progress and work that has been undertaken by the college over the years,  and a reward for the hard work of the educators, staff and students, but it also a recognition of the progress, development and hard work that has been put in by the entire community to ensuring that Downpatrick became and remained a County Town, a centre of many services including Higher Education , Civil Service, Public Service & Health.

The College provides a wider public service than that of direct education, this college provides a highly skilled and educated workforce who over the years have ensured that the public sector view Downpatrick as a natural centre of civil administration and health service delivery.

In these difficult times these high standards and the services of the College are more important than at any time in our past.

The next few years will bring great challenges for Downpatrick with the Governments policy of decentralisation and our fight to play a leading role in this. As a community we must work together if we are to secure the future of Downpatrick. No one sector, health, civil service, public service or education will survive alone, when one prospers we all prospers and develop as a community.

Over the years there is no doubt that this College and those who worked, taught and studied in it have contributed greatly to our community and improved our community, and I look forward to that continued success of the College for many generations to come.

Ends.