Junior Irish

All Ages Can Join the Father Ryan Community!

What does it mean to be Junior Irish?

Father Ryan is a high school, but our community includes students of all ages.

From athletic camps and artistic clinics to family events on campus, there is something for everyone!

Sign up for our Junior Irish Newsletter for a behind-the-scenes look at what's going on at Father Ryan, accomplishments from our students and alumni, and upcoming events that may be of interest for Junior Irish families. We distribute this newsletter to our Junior Irish community from September - June on the first Tuesday of the month. View previous issues below.

Receive Junior Irish Updates and News

Junior Irish members participating at different events

Father Ryan Events

Junior Irish are always welcome to join our community by attending our events throughout the year. From home sporting events to art productions, fun opportunities for the entire family are easy to find!

Camps & Clinics

Father Ryan departments and organizations work hard to offer incredible opportunities for our Junior Irish to develop skills in their sport or performing art while forming strong friendships with fellow Junior Irish.

Nashville Catholic Athletics

Nashville Catholic Athletics strives to help young athletes prepare for high school sports. Programs offered include Football, Soccer, Basketball, Rugby, Lacrosse, Baseball, Softball, Wrestling, and Swimming. Nashville Catholic Athletics prioritizes the importance of competing with heart, integrity, and unity.

Learn More About NCA

Fall Events at Father Ryan

August 28 - Junior Irish Night

Junior Irish Night
All Junior Irish Welcome
August 28, 2026
5:00-6:45pm
Father Ryan's Academic Lawn

Make plans to join us for our outdoor Junior Irish Night on Friday, August 28 from 5:00-6:45pm on our Academic Lawn.

Here's the schedule for the evening:

5:00pm: Junior Irish Night opens, and Junior Irish are invited to come in Father Ryan gear. There will also be swag bags, face painting, inflatables, carnival and lawn games, a DJ, and more!

6:35pm: Line up with our Student Body as the Marching Band leads them across the bridge to Giacosa Stadium to cheer on the Irish!

Registration is required in order to secure your swag bag.

Please note: Parent(s) will need to purchase a gameday ticket to enter the stadium. All children who are registered for Junior Irish Night will receive free admission to the game.

Click Here to Register

With questions, contact the Admissions Team at admissions@fatherryan.org.

September 3 - Father Ryan Distance Running Classic

Father Ryan Distance Running Classic
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Father Ryan's Track in Giacosa Stadium

All 4th-8th grade runners are invited to join us for the Father Ryan Distance Running Classic on Wednesday, September 3.

5:00pm | On-site registration begins
5:30pm | First race (Fourth Grade Girls) begins
There is no entry fee.

Distances:
4th-6th Grade Races | 800 meters
7th-8th Grade Races | 1600 meters.

Runners are asked to wear their cross country uniforms.

Awards: The top eight finishers in each race receive t-shirts.

*In case of inclement weather or excessive heat, the weather makeup date will be September 10.*

Contact Coach Robert Kent (kentr@fatherryan.org) or Coach Doug Jones (jonesd@fatherryan.org) if you have questions about the event.

October 3 - Perform with Irish Pride Dance Night

Perform with Irish Pride Dance Night
October 3, 2025
4:30 - after halftime

All 5th-7th graders are invited to join our Father Ryan dancers for a halftime performance on Friday, October 3.

All dancers will arrive at 4:30pm in the Center for the Arts, where they will learn a routine, receive a T-shirt, and enjoy pizza with the Father Ryan dancers. Registration will close on Friday, September 26.

October 24 - Junior Irish Band Night

Junior Irish Band Night
October 24, 2025 | 4:00-8:00pm
Father Ryan High School | Band Room and Giacosa Stadium

All 7th-8th Grade Band Students are invited to join.

Free

Students will become members of the Father Ryan band and perform with the band at their final home football game. Junior Irish will receive a Junior Irish Band shirt, participate in the pregame meal, and perform during the first half and halftime. Students will be available for pick-up after the halftime performance.

If you have questions, please contact Jereme Frey at freyj@fatherryan.org

October 26 - Preview Day

Father Ryan High School’s Preview Day
4th-8th Grade
Sunday, October 26, 2025

Please join our family of students, educators, parents, and alumni for a preview of the Father Ryan experience. Tour our campus, attend classes, join sessions on Academics and our House System, visit our clubs and activities fair, and watch a Performing Arts Showcase. Discover how Father Ryan is setting a new standard in Catholic education, where your child will be known and loved.

*Pre-registration for this event is now closed. Walk-ups are welcome.*

November 8 - Relay For Life

November 12-14 - Father Ryan's Fall Play

December 9-10 - Christmas at Father Ryan

December 13 - Breakfast with Santa

Breakfast with Santa
All Junior Irish Welcome to attend
December 13, 2025
Father Ryan High School

The Father Ryan Alumni Association invites all Junior Irish members and their families for a holiday filled morning at Father Ryan! Enjoy breakfast, photos with Santa, arts & crafts, story time, and performances by our Father Ryan Singers. More information about how to register is coming soon.

Spring/Summer Events at Father Ryan

January 14 - Morning Coffee with Father Ryan

Wednesday, January 14 | 9:30-10:30am Father Ryan’s Neuhoff Library

Open to all parents of students in grades 4th-8th

Parents of students in 4th-8th grades are invited to join us for coffee and pastries in the Neuhoff Library as you hear from President Paul Davis ’81 as he shares updates about Father Ryan and provides parents the opportunity to connect and ask questions of our Senior Leadership Team.

This event provides a relaxed atmosphere for parents to get answers to any topic, including tuition assistance opportunities, academic programs, strategic plan initiatives, and more.

February 6 - RESCHEDULED DATE: Junior Irish School Spirit Night

Junior Irish School Spirit Night
February 6, 2026

Join fellow Junior Irish for a night of Father Ryan basketball, pizza, giveaways, and games!

Pizza | Giveaways | Games

6:00pm – Girls Varsity Basketball vs. JPII Tipoff.

Please enter through the front doors to the Catignani-Drennan Fieldhouse
Check-in will be located outside the Pat Simpson '74 Wrestling Facility
- Ambassadors will help direct you to the wrestling room
Pizza will be provided from 6:00-7:00pm in the Pat Simpson '74 Wrestling Facility
Junior Irish Jungle (Junior Irish Student Section) opens

7:30pm - Boys Varsity Basketball vs. JPII Tipoff.

Event Details:

Junior Irish School Spirit Night is FREE for all registered children.
Parent(s) will need to purchase a ticket for the basketball game(s).
- Tickets are available for purchase here.
Registration includes pizza and a drink as well as a free game ticket to watch the Irish take on JPII!
Giveaways will take place throughout both games.
Additional food and snacks may be purchased at the concession stand.

Contact our Office of Enrollment at admissions@fatherryan.org with any questions.

We look forward to seeing you! GO IRISH!

March 28 - Irish Easter Egg Hunt

Irish Easter Egg Hunt
All Junior Irish and Families welcome
March 28, 2026
10:00am–12:00pm
Father Ryan’s Academic Lawn

Father Ryan’s Alumni Association invites you and your family to hop on down Father Ryan's bunny trail for our Annual Irish Easter Egg Hunt! The Easter Bunny will be here on Saturday, April 5, from 10:00am until noon on Father Ryan High School’s Academic Lawn. Easter Egg Hunts begin at 11:00am with three hunts by age group. This free event is open to alumni, family, and friends of Father Ryan.

April 9-11 - Father Ryan's Spring Musical

April 14 - Spring Preview

Join us for Spring Preview and experience firsthand why Father Ryan was voted Best High School in Nashville

Tuesday, April 14, 2026
9:15-10:45am

Discover what it means to be known, loved, and inspired at Father Ryan. Visit our 40-acre campus and hear directly from our students about their experiences, with the opportunity to ask questions that matter most to your family.

Click Here to RSVP

April 17 - Spring Junior Irish Night

Spring Junior Irish Night April 17, 2026

Join fellow Junior Irish for a night of Father Ryan baseball, rugby, pizza, giveaways and to celebrate our Baseball and Rugby Seniors at Senior Night!

4:30pm – Boys Varsity Baseball vs. Overton First Pitch, Location: Baseball Field

6:00pm – Girls Varsity Rugby vs. Sumner County RFC, Location: Giacosa Stadium

7:30pm – Boys Varsity Rugby vs. Sumner County RFC, Location: Giacosa Stadium