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Paula Brassil seated with former principals Catherine O’Rahilly and Moira Quinlan, and current Principal Pat Neenan, and colleagues at her retirement function at Lotties at The Ashe Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
WITH the primary school year coming to a close, it’s inevitable that many teachers are coming to that time when they decide to ‘hang up the chalk’.
This is the case for Paula Brassil of Moyderwell Mercy Primary School, who retires after 25 years in the school.
Around 70 people — including Paula’s husband Maurice, children Laura and Billy and her colleagues — gathered in Lotties at The Ashe Hotel on Friday evening to celebrate her 40 years in teaching.
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Originally from Clounalour in Oakpark, Paula (nee McCann) began her teaching career in Firhouse, Dublin back in 1983, where she spent six years, followed by seven years in Portmagee, before arriving in Moyderwell in 1999.
Paula became an integral and much loved member of staff, mainly working in special education. While Paula said there have been huge changes in terms of technology in the classroom over the years, the children have always remained the same.
Paula Brassil (seated second from left) at her retirement function with daughter Laura, husband Maurice and son Billy. At back is Harry McCann, Pat Costello, Mary Costello, Rachel McCann, Bryan Costello and Emma Costello at Paula’s retirement function at Lotties at The Ashe Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
She said she will miss the friendships, the laughter and the collegiality with the staff and as for retirement, Paula plans “to relax, travel, and spend more time with family and friends”.
Principal of Moyderwell Mercy, Pat Neenan, was effusive in his praise for the contribution Paula has made to the school community over the years.
“As a principal in a school, you are always looking for people to be standard-bearers and Paula was the consummate professional,” he said.
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“She was an example to everybody on how to exhibit care, love and compassion, giving everything to the job. There are children of Moyderwell, Tralee and far beyond who will forever be in her debt,” he added.
Presentations were made by Chairperson of the Board of Management, Jim Finucane, Vice Principal Máire Jones and Principal Pat Neenan, while teacher Oonagh O’Rahillys also presented Paula with a scrapbook of memories from her time in the school. Scroll down for photos…
Catherine O’Rahilly, Marian Scollard, Moira Quinlan and Margaret Maxwell at Paula Brassil’s retirement function at Lotties at The Ashe Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Siobhan Clifford, Paul Culhane and Trisha O’Malley at Paula Brassil’s retirement function at Lotties at The Ashe Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Helen Rusk and Dolores O’Callaghan at Paula Brassil’s retirement function at Lotties at The Ashe Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Niamh Griffin, Aisling, Geraldine Gannon and Laura Daly at Paula Brassil’s retirement function at Lotties at The Ashe Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Oonagh O’Rahilly, Sarah Sayers, Denis Griffin, Catherine Walsh and Principal Pat Neenan at Paula Brassil’s retirement function at Lotties at The Ashe Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Laura Brassil, Catherine O’Rahilly, Brian and Emma Costello at Paula Brassil’s retirement function at Lotties at The Ashe Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Brenda Coughlan, Linda O’Driscoll, Val Doughty, Anna Marie O’Shea and Hilary Anne Long at Paula Brassil’s retirement function at Lotties at The Ashe Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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