Three recently retired primary school teachers were honoured by their peers at an event in The Bounty hosted by the Athlone-Moate INTO committee.
Tina O’Hara from Ballybay NS, Maura Dillon from Tubberclare NS and Anne Fagan from St Peter’s NS, were commended for their years of service to education within the local community during the well attended celebratory occasion.
Ballybay NS retiree Tina O’Hara concluded her education service following 22 years of teaching various classes and roles in special education. She was, according to her colleagues “a vibrant and energetic teacher who was able to find the perfect balance between fun and the more serious business, with a special flair for drama and a keen interest in history. She encouraged her pupils to take part in creative projects and loved a good historical tour.”
They will miss Tina’s vibrant and energetic presence in the school, and credited her with “a practical outlook, her pragmatic approach and good sense of humour. Tina will be able to spend time adding to “her endless exciting stories travels and many other interests and hobbies, including drama and sport” as well as running her highly successful Baysports business alongside her husband Richie.
Maura Dillon retired from Tubberclare NS having taught in the school since 2006. Her colleagues paid tribute to “a wonderful teacher” and noted that during her time in Tubberclare, “Maura oversaw the children’s preparation for First Holy Communion. Her meticulous approach ensured that it was a special occasion for both the children and their families. A talented singer, Maura shared her great love of music with the children. On leaving her class, the children had a great collection of Irish songs, hymns and tin whistle tunes. Maura also prepared the school choir for the First Holy Communion and Confirmation ceremonies and for various school masses during the school year.”
They also recounted that as colleague, “Maura was popular, supportive and helpful to all staff members. She was generous in sharing her time and experience with newly qualified teachers as well as with the many student teachers on placement with us over the years.” Maura also served as a member of the Board of Management of Tubberclare N.S. for many years, and was “constructive in her contributions, always seeking to do the very best for all in the school.”
Maura looks forward to travelling more and continuing in her active lifestyle, as well as spending time with her husband and daughters.
St. Peter’s NS bid farewell to their school principal Anne Fagan who retired after 41 years as a teacher at the school. Anne was also a past pupil of St. Peter’s NS.
Her colleagues noted that Anne “ignited a love of reading with her pupils, loved doing worthwhile and meaningful projects with the children and brought music and singing to the classroom.”
They said that she “served as a beacon of inspiration, guiding students, teachers and staff members, demonstrated a strong work ethic, with integrity and compassion.” Anne will be “especially remembered for her massive contribution to music in the school as she always shared her passion for singing and dancing with the students” and indeed she proved this to be true when she led the evening’s guests in dancing the ‘Walls of Limerick’ at the retirement event.
Her staff fondly recalled her generosity as she had “treated the children to ice-cream and organised the arrival of an ice-cream van on her final day at St Peter’s NS.”
They also recounted emotional scenes on Excise Street last school bell rang on her final day, when parents and past pupils organised a special guard of honour outside the school in Mrs Fagan’s honour.
The celebratory occasion was hosted by the very able Athlone-Moate INTO Committee, comprising chairperson Eimear Cronolly (Cloonakilla NS ), vice-chairperson Lisa Quigley (Clonown NS ), secretary Elaine Kincaid, Helen O’Toole and Arthur Geraghty (Ballybay NS ), branch organiser Sarah Langtry (Coosan NS ), Catherine Ryan (Summerhill NS ), Mary Murphy (Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí ), Jackie Nevin (Clonbonny NS ), Orla Fogarty (Brideswell NS ) and Dolores Killian (An Grianán NS ).
Each retiree was presented with a painting of Athlone by local artist Anna Boles. Following the formalities, retirees were invited to have a professional photograph taken with Padraig Devaney and then danced and mingled to the tunes of local traditional music group Folklure, who also provided some comedy entertainment at the end of a wonderful evening of celebration for three wonderful teachers, each of whom will be fondly remembered by staff and students alike for the huge contribution each of them made to their respective schools.
