TraleeToday.ie’s coverage of Christmas Party Nights is brought to you by AIB Tralee…
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Sarah Barry, Niamh Ní Dhubhda, Carol Butler, Dara Barrett, Emer Griffin and Ciara Griffin at the CBS Primary School Christmas and Retirement Party at The Ashe Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT’S been an emotional time at CBS Primary as the school prepares to say goodbye to its beloved principal Denis Coleman.
The Killarney native will officially retire in January, but he’s getting some farewell from the staff and children at the school in the past few days and right up to Wednesday which will be his final day as principal.
On Saturday night, the staff all gathered in Lotties at The Ashe Hotel for a joint Christmas get-together and retirement party for Denis, whose time in education began 39 years ago.
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He started teaching in Dublin back in 1984, spending four years in Walkinstown, then moving to Whitechurch in Ballyboden for nearly ten years, before his first post as principal in Edmonstown for a further six years.
With the retirement of Brother David O’Connell, the post of principal came up at CBS Primary School in 2003 and a decision had to be made.
Denis Coleman with his wife Maeve and daughter Emily at the CBS Primary School Christmas and Retirement Party at The Ashe Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
“It was a huge change to be back in Kerry. I loved Dublin and my time there, but my mom was still alive in Killarney and my wife Maeve’s parents were in Ennis, so we wanted to move closer to them,” he said.
“It was either Clare of Kerry and it turned out to be Tralee, which has been fantastic to me. It’s been incredible, the quality of life here is just so different, why wouldn’t you want to be back in Kerry?”
Soon after coming back to Kerry, daughter Emily arrived and now she is studying to be teacher in Mary Immaculate College in Limerick.
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Denis settled in quickly at CBS during a time of great change in education in the town.
“We went through a lot of transition because we were an all-boys school back then, but by my second year in CBS we moved to co-ed. The school took a different direction then, as did the other schools in Tralee.”
“It was a great move for CBS which had 20 staff in 2003 and 67 today. We have way more supports today, like SNAs and special classes, so we’re able to help the children in a way we couldn’t before. It’s a very special place to work.”
Denis had a special word of thanks for the staff who made his job so much easier over the years.
“I’ve appointed all of them at this stage and I can say it’s a real privilege to be able to pick your own team. It’s a very supportive environment where they look out for each other as well as the kids.”
New principal Brendan Smith with outgoing principal Denis Coleman at the CBS Primary School Christmas and Retirement Party at The Ashe Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Nineteen years is a long time, so will he miss being part of that team?
“Oh I will, but at the same time, the school needs a new shot of energy. I’m delighted for Brendan [Smith] as he’s a CBS boy, a past pupil who has been teaching there now for 15 years. His kids are in the school too, so he has seen CBS from all perspectives.”
After 39 years in teaching, it’s time to put the feet up. The former Dr Crokes GAA Club Chairman is also a familiar voice over the tannoy at big games in Fitzgerald Stadium and he plans to continue that role. But has he any other plans?
“None whatsoever! I’m looking forward to playing a bit of golf and spending more time with the family,” said Denis. Enjoy your well-earned retirement. Scroll down for photos…
Jane Boyle, Brona Ringland, Katie Fox, Joan Hill and Kathleen McAuliffe at the CBS Primary School Christmas and Retirement Party at The Ashe Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Noreen Moran, Ciara Hill, Paula Doyle, Deirdre McDermott, Sarah Nolan, Caoimhe Crowe and Aoife McDonnell at the CBS Primary School Christmas and Retirement Party at The Ashe Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Jerome Linnane, Brian Costello, Alan Fitzgerald and Pat Costello at the CBS Primary School Christmas and Retirement Party at The Ashe Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Incoming principal Brendan Smith with Joan Hill at the CBS Primary School Christmas and Retirement Party at The Ashe Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Eilish O’Driscoll, Catherine Broughton and Andrea Lyons at the CBS Primary School Christmas and Retirement Party at The Ashe Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Siobhan Ryle, Sarah Moloney and Angela Moloney at the CBS Primary School Christmas and Retirement Party at The Ashe Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Brona Ringland, Sandra McMahon, Laura Donoghue, Katie Fox and Jana MacEgan at the CBS Primary School Christmas and Retirement Party at The Ashe Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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