Tributes paid on retirement of local school principal

It was the end of an era in Our Lady's Bower, Athlone, on Friday when principal Noel Casey retired, after a 37-year career in the school.

A Dubliner, Mr Casey arrived in the school in September 1983 as an English and Religion teacher.

He served as deputy principal from 1998 before taking over as principal in 2013.

On Friday, the school marked his retirement with deputy principals wearing Dublin football shirts emblazoned with the year 1983, in a nod to his arrival at the school in that year.

The school was also decked out in a sea of blue, a fitting tribute to the principal, given not only that it is the school colour but also that he is a fan of Dublin football, Chelsea and St Dominic's.

The school said while Covid may have meant they were unable to come together as a whole school community to wish Mr Casey well as he began his next chapter, it did not prevent them giving him the sendoff he truly deserved.

Mr Casey spoke with each class group and was blown away by the well-wishes, cakes, cards and gifts from colleagues, pupils past pupils and parents.

There was a special surprise for Mr Casey when head girls Ella Mears and Rebecca Norris organised Dublin GAA legends Dean Rock and Jonny Cooper to send special video messages to mark his retirement.