The contribution of six primary school teachers to education in Athlone and its environs was recently acknowledged at a retirement function hosted in their honour by the local branch of the Irish National Teachers Organisation.
Glowing tributes were paid to retirees Marian Brophy (Coosan NS ), Joan Gilligan (Brideswell NS ), Ambrose McGowan (An Ghrianán NS, Mount Temple ), Eimear O’Meara (Cornamaddy NS ), Anne O’Sullivan (Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí ) and Rose Hannon (Lismoil NS, Curraghboy ), MC for the occasion, Dolores Killian, noting that the occasion was long overdue, the original date for its hosting being impacted by the pandemic.
“This is an event we have been waiting for a long time as a result of the pandemic and it is indeed great that we can all be here face to face to mark the remarkable contribution you the retirees in the Athlone/Moate branch have made to Irish education and to the many pupils you have taught throughout your careers,” Ms Killian stated.
Marian Brophy commenced her teaching career in Coosan NS where she remained for 39 years, her kind nature, warmth and compassion ensuring that every child received a great start to their primary education in the school. In latter years. Her gentle encouragement allowed all pupils she worked with to flourish in her care.
Having qualified from St Pat’s College in 1985, Joan Gilligan was appointed principal of Brideswell NS in 1989 where she remained until her retirement in January of this year.
The heartbeat of the school over three decades, Joan was a consummate professional and always put the pupils and the school first, initially as a teacher principal and laterally as Special Education coordinator. She was always there to listen, lend and hand, empathise, add the humour and find the perfect solution for all.
Appointed principal of An Grianán NS in October 2001, Ambrose McGowan sought to enable his pupils encounter as many different experiences as possible, both in the world of sport and in other areas, while at the same time maintaining the core school curriculum of literacy and numeracy.
Having commenced her teaching journey in 1980, Eimear retired from Cornamaddy in October 2020. Committed to nurturing children both academically and holistically, Eimear rejoiced in their achievements great and small, was perceptive to their smallest worries and attentive to their curiosities, while kindness, generosity and good humour underpinned her interactions with her teaching colleagues at all times.
Anne O’Sullivan was a member of the Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí teaching staff from 2002 imparting her teaching prowess to the pupils of first and fourth class. Anne contributed immensely to the richness of the school through her kindness and creativity.
Cork native, Rose Hannon, brought a wealth of experience to her teaching post in Lismoil NS when she joined the staff in 2013. She will be remembered more for her kind, patient and loving nature. Children, parents and teachers loved Rose. She brought a sense of calmness to her teaching duties. Even her voice is calm and soothing. She made children feel relaxed and when children are relaxed and happy they learn.
Also in attendance was Retired Teachers Association representative, Jean Farrell, who encouraged the retirees to join the organisation, detailing a number of the activities and outings it had planned in the time to come.
