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Austin Ó Seachnasaigh cuts the cake at a function organised by the Parents Council at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí to mark his retirement from his role as Principal. Photo by Dermot Crean
AFTER almost 40 years in the teaching profession, Austin Ó Seachnasaigh retired from his post as Principal of Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí last September.
The Parents Council at the school decided that this would not go unnoticed so there was a large gathering in the Meadowlands Hotel on Friday night to honour the Cromane native who has been teaching in Tralee all his career.
Austin started with Tralee VEC in 1980 in the same building where the school is now located at Moyderwell. In 1984 they moved to a room in Tralee Community College in Clash and started teaching the first cohort of students coming into second level from Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn.
Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí was established and the school moved back to Moyderwell in 1989.
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“I was one of the six teachers who started in 1989 and worked with a great bunch of people there,” said Austin, speaking to TraleeToday.ie on Friday night. “In December 2007, Eamonn Fitzmaurice retired and I became Deputy Principal and in June 2011, Pádraig Ó Dálaigh retired and I became principal until September last year.”
“My entire career has been in Tralee. I had a fantastic time. It was a fabulous opportunity for six young teachers to really develop a new school. Beginning with 10 students on the top floor, we had six rooms to teach the range of subjects and gradually over the years it expanded to what it is today, with around 350 students and a new school on the way,” he said.
Chairperson of the Parents Council Noel Keenan makes a presentation to Austin Ó Seachnasaigh to mark his retirement from his role as Principal of Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí. Photo by Dermot Crean
Austin was quick to credit the people who have made Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí what it is today.
“It was all due to the support of the parents and Conradh na Gaeilge in Tralee. It took a huge leap of faith from those parents to send their children to a school where there was no certainty that it would succeed. It was down to people like Eamonn Fitzmaurice Snr, Pádraig Ó Dálaigh and Pádraig Ó Lúing, who were wonderful teachers and all the fabulous students over the years. I’ve been a lucky man,” he said.
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Austin and his wife Denise, Deputy Principal in Scoil Mhuire in Killorglin, live in Cromane and have one son Darragh who is studying in Trinity College. He was very appreciative of the Parents Council for organising Friday’s celebration.
“The Parents Council have been fabulous and their children are a credit to them. The meetings have been entertaining over the years and always conducted in the best of spirits,” he said.
Austin is member of Dooks Golf Club so he’ll have plenty time to spend on his game in the coming years. A well-deserved retirement I’m sure all would agree. Scroll down for photos…
Denise Uí Seachnasaigh (left) is presented with a bouquet of flowers by Helen O’Brien at a function organised by the Parents Council at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí to mark the retirement of her husband Austin from his role as Principal. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Leah Ní Sheanachain, Tara Ní Mhurchú, Dearbhla Ní Chrónín and Saidhbh Ní Cheallacháin Laocha at the function organised by the Parents Council at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí to mark Austin Ó Seachnasaigh’s retirement from his role as Principal. Photo by Dermot Crean
Colm Ó Suilleabháin and Joanne de Róiste at the function organised by the Parents Council at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí to mark Austin Ó Seachnasaigh’s retirement from his role as Principal. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Samantha and Doc Tanner at the function organised by the Parents Council at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí to mark Austin Ó Seachnasaigh’s retirement from his role as Principal. Photo by Dermot Crean
Jack, Linda, Gerard and Donal O’Brien at the function organised by the Parents Council at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí to mark Austin Ó Seachnasaigh’s retirement from his role as Principal. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Ruth Tanner, Faith Peskett, Mairead Phelan and Megan Fernane at the function organised by the Parents Council at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí to mark Austin Ó Seachnasaigh’s retirement from his role as Principal. Photo by Dermot Crean
Mike Barry, Kay Barry, Margo Barry, Heather Shanahan and Sadhbh Sinnott at the function organised by the Parents Council at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí to mark Austin Ó Seachnasaigh’s retirement from his role as Principal. Photo by Dermot Crean
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