Val O'Connor announces departure

After 26 years in the job, Val O'Connor announced this week that he is to step down as principal of Athlone Community College. Mr O'Connor made the surprise announcement at a meeting of the County Westmeath Vocational Education Committee (VEC) on Monday. At the end of this month he will take up a new role as acting chief executive of Westmeath VEC, replacing Gearóid Ó Brádaigh who is retiring. Speaking to the Westmeath Independent yesterday (Tuesday), Mr O'Connor acknowledged that the new role would be a significant change but said that he was looking forward to it. "I was quite happy here at the community college and was looking forward to the development of the new school, but when Gearóid Ó Brádaigh made the announcement (that he was stepping down) I gave it some consideration and decided that I would give the position a go if I was offered it." The chairperson of Westmeath VEC, Cllr Dan McCarthy, stated that Mr O'Connor was one of three candidates for the job. The selection committee included Cllr McCarthy, the CEO of Wicklow VEC, Fiona Hartley, and the recently-retired CEO of Offaly VEC, Diarmuid O'Neill. A native of Charlestown, Co Mayo, Mr O'Connor's taught woodwork, construction studies, technical drawing and maths in his first teaching job, at Greenhills College in Walkinstown, Dublin. He moved to Athlone to take up his position as principal of the community college in October 1983 and he has helped establish it as one of the midlands' most successful schools. Its vice principal, Eileen Donohoe, said that she and everyone else at the community college was "delighted" for Mr O'Connor. "His appointment as acting CEO of Westmeath VEC is a huge honour for the school," she stated. "Obviously it's tinged with sadness from the point of view of both students, parents and staff, but it's an appointment that is so well-deserved. He has a huge affinity with our school and we would like to wish him the best of luck. We hope that he enjoys success and good health in his new role."