Tipperary teacher given fond farewell as he retires after 36 years
Mr Jim McDonnell, beloved French and history teacher, has retired from his post, having been a teacher in the Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles, since 1990
The Ursuline said goodbye to Mr Jim McDonnell on Friday, October 23 on his retirement after 36 years teaching French and History in the School.
He got a lovely Au Revoir on his penultimate breaktime being lead on a grand lap of the corridors by some Les Mis cast members, the athletics team he coached, all with French flags waving, in a nod to one of his beloved subjects.
Jim high-fived his way around the school as he was clapped and cheered by students and staff to the assembly area.
Here the cast of Les Mis were ready waiting to sing the chorus of One Day More.
Then it was one final jog to the staff room where he passed through the tape at the finish line to the staffroom.
Jim has been a dedicated teacher of History and French since joining the staff in 1990.
During that time he cared about helping his students achieve their potential not only academically but through coaching athletics.
Jim McDonnell encouraged athletes in their running and voluntarily took training sessions after school for over three and a half decades.
During his tenure in charge of Ursuline athletics he achieved enormous success at county, provincial and All-Ireland level.
In March this year under Jim’s tutelage the Minor Cross Country Team reached the All Ireland taking home the gold medals from Belfast.
Not only that the team was honoured with the Maeve Kyle trophy for the Best Girls Cross Country team in Ireland 2026.
This was a huge achievement for the Minor athletes, the Ursuline and Jim who was in Belfast to cheer them all on as they crossed the finish line.
Jim has now reached the finish line of his teaching career.
He will be missed by all his colleagues who wish him all the best.
Everyone knows that whatever Jim does next he will approach it with enthusiasm, energy and with lashings of good humour.