Tipperary school pay tribute to former principal on his passing

Former Principal, Deputy Principal and Practical Teacher in Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed (formerly Gairmscoil Mhuire) passed away to his eternal reward on Thursday, August 13, this year.

A native of Limerick, Antóin came to Thurles to take up the position of Woodwork teacher in the old VEC Vocational School in Castlemeadows and this was the beginning of a long and illustrious career and a lifetime of service to Vocational Education in the Cathedral Town and beyond. Fr James Purcell said of him at his funeral Mass

“Tony was a person of integrity, reliable, grounded and had great common sense, was warm-hearted and had that common touch that endeared him to all.”

His arrival in 1956 was to herald the beginning of an immense contribution and a sterling career in education and leadership in that field.

The “Tech” as it was fondly known was a rapidly expanding school and as the academic subjects came to be embraced, the school moved to a new Greenfield site in Castlemeadows where it now caters for over 600 students.

Tony was appointed Principal of the school in 1990 and continued the work of evolving the school with excellent staff.

Antóin was a people person, a master at building relationships across all age groups.

Whether it was his involvement with Thurles Rugby Club, Thurles Musical Society, Fianna Fáil, The Urban Council or Boards Of Management.

Tony gave of himself selflessly and was also a true champion of lifelong education as evidenced by the hundreds of students who attended the VEC Adult Night Classes in the new premises in Castlemeadows.

Bhí Grá as cuimse aige don Ghaeilge agus d’oibrigh sé go dian le lucht bainistíochta Gaelscoil Bhríde agus le Coiste Gairmoideachais Thiobraid Árann Thuaidh agus le Gaelscoileanna chun Aonad lán-Ghaeilge a bhunú sa scoil.

Bunaíodh Gaelcholáiste na Siúire sa bhliain 1998 agus bhí Antóin mar cheann taca i gcónaí. Bhí sé breá sásta go raibh oideachas Dara leibhéal trí mheán na Gaeilge á bhunú sa scoil.

Bhí Rath ar an Aonad fad a mhair sí ach sa bhliain 2012 deineadh cinneadh deireadh a chur leis an agus béim a chur ar an máthairscoil.

Tony retired in 1999 with 43 years of service, dedication and commitment to second-level Education in Thurles.

He was held in enormous respect and esteem by the many colleagues, students, parents and stakeholders he encountered over those years.

Fear uasal, oilte, críonna cuimsitheach ildánach ab ea é a bhí ionspioráideach do dhaoine óga, do dhaoine fásta agus dá pharóiste a airíonn uathu é. Go soilsí solas na bhflaitheas ar a anam uasal.