Príomhoide Cáit Says Farewell To Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn After 32 Years

Posted by

.

Principal of Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn Cáit Uí Chonchúir with teaching staff at the School on Tuesday.

THE community at Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn came out in force on Tuesday to pay tribute to their much-loved príomhoide, Cáit Uí Chonchúir, who retired after 32 years at the school.

Originally from Caherslee, Cáit was educated at Balloonagh Primary and Secondary School before moving on to Mary Immaculate College from which she graduated in 1986.

After a five years in Gaelscoil Thomáis Dáibhís Mallow, Cáit married Sean O’Connor from Tralee in 1991 and secured a post in Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn as Múinteoir na Naíonáin Bheaga.

Cáit and Seán went on to have four children, two of whom, Cáitáine agus Bláthnaid are also teachers — Cáitáine in Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn and Blathnaid teaching in Dublin.  Martina is a pharmacist while her son is a first year student in Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí.

Continued below…

.

After 20 years in the classroom, she was appointed the Gaelscoil’s third Principal in 2011 following on from Maire Mhic Giolla Rua and the school’s founding Principal Peig Bean De hÓra.

Speaking at a special ceremony to mark her retirement in the halla scoile on Tuesday morning , Cáit said; “Each morning over the last  32 years arriving to work here in Killeen Road, have been for me wonderfully happy, rewarding years of teaching, learning, leading and managing.”

“The staff here at Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn are second to none. Their support for me and each other, their enthusiasm and huge commitment is admirable. The generosity and talents shared by our dedicated, hardworking staff ensure that the educational experience of our pupils is enriched in the classroom and in extra-curricular activities.”

“The spirit of community that has developed here down through the years is typified by the real partnership between pupils, staff, parents, Board of Management and the local community.

“I will miss the daily interaction with the buachaillí agus cailiní, the children’s warmth, energy, humour and kindness is a privilege to work with. They have all been like my second family.

Principal of Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn Cáit Uí Chonchúir is joined by teaching colleagues as she cuts her ‘retirement cake’ on Tuesday afternoon at the school. Photo by Dermot Crean

Continued below…

.

“Yes, there have been difficult and challenging times down through the years but the happy memories outweigh them by far. I am happy to say that I am retiring from work that I loved all my life, in a school that I love and a school community that will always have a special place in my heart.”

“To everyone who made my retirement occasion during our Aifreann na Nollag, celebrated as always by An tAth Proinsias, on Tuesday so special, uplifting and memorable míle míle buíochas. I was deeply touched yet again at another occasion when our pupils were a credit to themselves, their families and their school. The Thanksgiving Mass, speeches, poetry, ceol agus amhránaíocht, presentations, lunch and children’s pizza party made it a day to remember for evermore. Maith sibh arís gach éinne idir óg is aosta.”

The incoming Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn Príomhoide Liam Ó Conchubhair with retiring Príomhoide Cáit Uí Chonchúir at the school on Tuesday. Photo by Dermot Crean

Cáit said she was sad to be leaving Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn behind her, but drew comfort in the knowledge that it is in the capable hands of new principal Liam Ó Conchubhair and staff.

“The change-over will be seamless thanks to the hands-on approach of our Vice Principal Múinteoir Liam throughout the years,” said Cáit.

“The school’s values will stay the same but there will be a new energy behind them. My hope is that the happy, caring, grámhar and close knit atmosphere that prevails in Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn will continue well into the future. Gura fada buan Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn agus a pobal uile,” concluded Cáit.

We wish Cáit a long and happy retirement after a job well done!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Comments are closed.

image