Contributions of six retired national school teachers marked at Athlone event
Six teachers who recently retired from schools in the wider Athlone area were recognised for their contributions to education at an event organised on behalf of the local branch of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) last week.
The gathering in The Bounty on Thursday, May 19, paid tribute 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).
Joe McKeown, whose term as INTO president recently concluded, was among those in attendance at the gathering, which featured presentations to each of the retirees along with live music from The Henshaws.
Dolores Killian, media co-ordinator and education committee representative for the District 7 of the INTO, said last week's event had been long-awaited due to the pandemic restrictions that were in place until recent months.
"It is indeed great that we can all be here, face to face, to mark the remarkable contribution that you, the retirees in the Athlone-Moate branch, have made to Irish education and to the many pupils you have taught throughout your careers," she said.
Marian Brophy spent 39 years teaching in Coosan NS and was described at the event as "the life and soul" of the school's staff. She was an infant teacher for most of her career and her kind nature, warmth, and compassion "ensured that every child got a great start to their primary education."
Marian retains a family link to the school as her daughter, Shauna, is a current member of staff.
Ballymahon native Ambrose McGowan served as principal of An Grianán NS for two decades. As a teacher he 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."
While Ambrose was very sad to say a final farewell to An Grianán last October, he and his family "plan to continue being an integral part of the Mount Temple community for many years to come."
A former principal of Brideswell NS, Joan Gilligan spent almost 33 years at the school, where she is "leaving the staff with wonderful memories" after "touching the hearts of many, many pupils." Described as "a consummate professional," Joan retired in January after spending the latter phase of her career working in the areas of learning support and special education.
Cork native Rose Hannon worked as a teacher in London before returning to Ballygar in 2001. She brought her wealth of experience in special education to Lismoil NS, becoming part of its staff in 2017, and in her final three years she worked in Lismoil NS and Tisrara NS.
Her "kind, patient and loving nature" will always be fondly remembered by her pupils and colleagues.
Eimear O'Meara retired from Cornamaddy NS in October 2020. Her teaching career began in the school in 1980, and over the years she showed great commitment to nurturing children both academically and holistically.
Anne O'Sullivan, meanwhile, joined the staff of Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí in 2002, spending time as a teacher of first class, fourth class, and in learning support.
From the beginning of her time in the school she got on well with the staff and the pupils, and contributed greatly to the richness of the school through her kindness and creativity.
Jean Farrell, of the Retired Teachers Association, was also among the speakers at Thursday's event.
She invited the retirees to join the retired teachers association and explained some of the activities and outings it had planned for the coming weeks.