Tributes paid to ‘inspirational’ teacher in Limerick who died in Clare collision
THE MAN killed in a traffic collision in Clare has been named locally as Michael Lorigan, who spent all his teaching career in Limerick.
Mr Lorigan, who was in his 70th year, was cycling at the time of the incident at around 12.30pm on Wednesday, August 16 on the N67 (Kilkee to Moyasta Road) at Baunmore, Co Clare.
Originally from Benvoran, Kilmurry McMahon, Co Clare, Mr Lorigan is understood to have been living in Kilkishen. He is fondly remembered by students and teachers in the Model School in Limerick city where Mr Lorigan taught from the mid-seventies until retirement.
A past pupil and current principal of St Paul’s National School, Dooradoyle, John Tuohy said Mr Lorigan was an “inspirational teacher”.
“He taught me in fourth class in the Model School. We were his first class after he qualified as a teacher.
“I know Michael a long, long time. He was a lovely, lovely man,” said Mr Tuohy, who has very fond memories of Mr Lorigan introducing the boys to Gaelic football.
“He would bring us down to Old Christians in Rathbane and play football after school which was kind of unheard of at the time in the 70s. He had a great love of football,” said Mr Tuohy.
Inside the classroom, the principal said Mr Lorigan was a young, enthusiastic teacher with new teaching methods.
“He was a very dedicated, inspirational teacher - from that class alone there were three or four teachers afterwards. Obviously, he inspired us,” said Mr Tuohy.
Former principal of St Kieran’s NS and later the amalgamated Galvone NS in Limerick city, Kevin Haugh went to secondary school with Mr Lorigan in CBS Kilrush.
“He would have been a very good friend of mine over the years. He was good-humoured, great company and very jovial,” said Mr Haugh.
The retired principal said Mr Lorigan, married to Dympna who had taught in Cratloe GAA, was passionate about GAA.
“His club was Shannon Gaels. He played underage and adult football with them. He played in a minor final in 1972 which they lost to Ennistymon. His father Tommy Lorigan one of the greatest people the club ever had, he was a great mentor. Michael was a big supporter of Clare hurling and football teams all his life,” said Mr Haugh.
After Mr Lorigan stopped playing field sports he took up cycling.
“He used to do a lot of cycling. He did the Clare 250 mile cycle for years. He thought nothing of going on a 100 mile cycle - that was a small little trip to him,” said Mr Haugh.
Both he and Mr Tuohy extend their sympathies to Mr Lorigan’s family and friends.
No funeral arrangements have been announced at this time.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.
“Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N67 in the Baunmore area between 12pm and 1pm on Wednesday, August 16 are asked to make this footage available to gardaí.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kilrush garda station on 065 9080550, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station,” said a garda spokesperson.