Ardnagrath NS principal Amelia Keena retires after 43 dedicated years

By Rebekah O'Reilly

It was a night of mixed emotions at Ardnagrath National School on Friday last, as the school marked the retirement of principal Amelia Keena after 43 dedicated years.

A Mass was celebrated on the night by Fr Oliver Devine. The atmosphere was bittersweet, as past and present colleagues, parents and friends paid tribute to her long-standing contribution to education and parish life.

Music by the school choir added to the occasion, with teacher Aine Dooley singing Bette Midler's 'Wind Beneath My Wings', as well as a beautiful rendition of Frank Sinatra's 'My Way' by student Darragh Martin.

Tony Allen then took to the mic with his own rendition titled 'Her Way', supported by the school choir, which paid tribute to Ms Keena's impact on Ardnagrath NS and the surrounding community. The performances were met with a standing ovation by those in attendance.

Before becoming principal of Ardnagrath NS, Ms Keena taught in a number of schools arriving at Ardnagrath in 1983. Under her leadership, Ardnagrath NS became a place where learning and enjoyment went hand in hand, with children encouraged to participate in a broad range of educational, cultural and sporting activities.

She was the catalyst to many changes throughout her four decades at the school, overseeing the significant development of school facilities. The first extension, which now serves as the senior classroom, was completed in 1995. Through innovative grant schemes, additional facilities were secured, including a major extension completed in 2006 featuring classrooms, a computer room and the school’s distinctive dome-shaped gymnasium.

Paying tribute to Ms Keena's contribution to Ardnagrath, teacher and former Westmeath star John Keane reflected on the lasting impact she has had on generations of pupils and families.

Mr Keane said her vision for education helped change the culture of teaching and learning within the school.

“In Amelia’s eyes, every child was special,” he said. “Every child was unique and every child was equal.”

Mr Keane recalled a host of memorable events over the years, including fashion shows, fundraising activities, concerts and sporting occasions that brought together pupils, parents and staff.

Throughout her career, Mr Keane said, Ms Keena had been a constant and caring presence, not only within the school but throughout the wider community, sharing in people’s joys and supporting them through difficult times.

Former school inspector Noel Huston described her as “a perfectionist in the best sense of the word”, praising her commitment to high standards and her ability to consistently see opportunities where others saw obstacles. He said she was “always ahead of time” in her thinking on education and development within the school system.

Cllr Tom Farrell, who worked closely with Ms Keena throughout her tenure, noted her unique ability to find funding routes for the development of the school.

"What really stood out was how effective she was in practice. She wasn't just about ideas, she delivered results," he said.

"She made the most of all programmes, and ensured they benefitted both the school and the wider community."

Speaking about Ms Keena's "extraordinary commitment", family member Aileen Keena added that no challenge was ever too big.

"She never waited for permission when something needed to be done. She found solutions where others saw obstacles and seemed always to know the path forward.

"Amelia loved Ardnagrath, its people, its parish and its strong sense of togetherness. She took immense pride in the community and in every achievement, big or small, that strengthened local life.”

Speaking on her retirement, Ms Keena said the last 43 years in Ardnagrath was "coming somewhere you loved every day".

"I could talk about Ardnagrath forever, because I love Ardnagrath. Ardnagrath in Irish means 'the hill of grey', but we always looked at it as 'the hill of love', we changed it to our version of it. As soon as I walked in the doors, there was absolutely no going back. I found a home away from home, I found a new family, and really that just grew and grew.

"It feels more like 43 minutes than 43 years. It was just coming somewhere that you loved. Once you got in the door, it was a place I was so happy with every single child that came into my presence. When you see generations of families together, it reminds you just how special this community is."