“Kilkee Community College acknowledges and values the contribution of the Sisters of Mercy to the development and progress of Education in Kilkee together with their Pastoral Ministry to the Community since 1878”
Sr. Mary O’Connell recently retired from a long and very successful teaching career. The school community marked the occasion with a wonderful retirement party. Parents, staff and students and members of Mary’s family and the Sisters came together to celebrate her life with presentations, speeches, food, music and dance and a PowerPoint resume of her life.
Sr. Marie Ryan, Sr. Ann Crowley, Theresa O ’Donnellan Principal Kilkee Community College, Sr. Mary O’Connell, Ms. Sheelagh Graham, HRM, LCETB, Sr. Eileen Callinan, Sr. Eucharia Ryan and Sr. Ita Quinn.
Mary began her teaching career in Nenagh (1972), moving to Tulla (1977) and coming to Kilkee in 1980. A versatile, creative, energetic and efficient teacher of Business Studies and Accounting, Mary had huge success with students. Mary was totally dedicated to the life of the school. She embraced the new technologies expertly. She involved herself in wide variety of extra-curricular activities, cultural, sporting, environmental and of course her many trips with students to the Burren Outdoor Education Centre in Turlough, Co Clare.
Becoming Deputy Principal in 2006 Mary launched into the role with vigour and with the perfection which was the hallmark of her work ethic. She supported staff, students and parents.
Mary’s retirement marks the end of our Mercy involvement in education in Kilkee. Sheelagh Graham HR Manager, represented the Limerick & Clare Education and Training Board on the night. She presented a beautiful marble plaque marking the involvement of the Sisters in Education over many years. The plaque will be erected in St. Joseph’s Community College.
Theresa O’Donnellan, Principal of Kilkee Community College, ended her presentation by reciting “An tOide”
An tOide
Uasal ceird an oide:
Mar rí ar imeall trá,
Chuir ar toinn na soithigh,
‘S sheol go hoscailt bá.
Aoibhinn ceird an oide:
Mar gharnóir lá Iúil,
D’aistrigh sciamh na scoithe,
Ó ghrianán go húir.
Uaigneach ceird an oide:
Mar mháithrín léi féin,
Tar éis imeacht a clainne,
Thar tairsigh i gcéin.
le Séamus ÓhAodha
The Teacher
Noble the trade of the teacher:
Like a king on the edge of the strand,
Placing the vessels on the waves
And out they sail to the open sea.
Lovely the trade of the teacher:
Like a gardener on a July day,
Changing the glory of growth,
From sunshine to harvest.
Lonely the trade of the teacher:
Like a mother all alone,
After the departure of her family,
Over the threshold and far away.
By Séamus ÓhAodha
Mianta do chroí duit, a Mháire, agus do raibh Dia ag foire ort de shíor.
South Central Province
