Cáit Tunney

Erriff, Leenane

The death has taken place at her residence, Erriff, Leenane, of Mrs Cáit Tunney, (nee Joyce), a retired primary school teacher.

A native of Tomaleen, Finny, she was aged 85 years and was wife of the late Hubert Tunney. For many years she was a popular member of the teaching staff of Carrakennedy National School which celebrated the centenary of its foundation last year.

In an article written for a special book published to mark the school centenary, former school principal, Francis Hughes, said of Cáit - “Cáit had a terrific sense of humour and great wit, useful assets in a school. Cáit lightened and brightened many a day with her sunny disposition and attitude. She had a great grá for the Gaeilge and most of our conversations were trí Ghaeilge. Carrakennedy school lost the services of a wonderful teacher when Cáit retired in December, 1981.”

A graduate of Mary Immaculate Training College in Limerick, Cáit began her teaching career in a convent school in Loughrea. She later taught in North Mayo, Eagle’s Nest in Renvyle, Dublin and Lettergesh before joining the staff of Carrakennedy NS.

In an article Cáit herself wrote for the school centenary book, she recalled the great number of pupils attending, all of whom were ‘quite mature and did well’.

In her reminiscences, she wrote: “I loved needlework, knitting and singing, which were taught to the senior pupils. We also did one hour of step dancing on a Friday and exercises in the community centre or outside, if the weather was fine.

Many of my pupils went to England to do nursing. My health wasn’t great and I was feeling very tired so I retired at sixty.

We had a retirement function in Walsh’s (now Darby’s). The Board of Management and Chairperson, Fr John Walsh, gave me tickets to Lourdes. I went with a group from Westport and Fr Walsh was our Spiritual Director, and it was a wonderful experience.

I missed teaching for a while but had plenty to do at home and soon got used to retirement. Times have changed for the better. The school is in better condition with three teachers and a learning support teacher there now. Discipline isn’t enforced like it was at that time - the children always knew that the cane was there.

Community life has also improved for parents as most people are working and are better off financially.

I have fondest memories of the children and the time I spent in Carrakennedy NS.”

Throughout her life Cáit had a great love of art, gardening and needlework.

She is mourned by her son Peter, daughter-in-law Nora, grandchildren Laura, Rachel and Luke, niece Margaret Rothwell, nephews Martin, Patrick and Mike Coyne, other relatives, former teaching colleagues, neighbours and a wide circle of friends. She was predeceased by her husband Hubert and much-loved grandson, Hughie.

Removal was from her residence to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Cushlough, where Fr Jackie Conroy, PP, Aughagower-Cushlough, officiated at the reception ceremony, assisted by Fr Micheál Mac Gréil, SJ, a long time friend of Cáit. Fr Conroy and Fr John Kenny, PP, Leenane, were the concelebrants of her Funeral Mass. Family members read the lessons and prayers of the faithful and brought the offertory gifts to the altar. In his homily, Fr Conroy paid tribute to Cáit for her devotion to her family, her love of community and her great professionalism as a teacher.

She was laid to rest in Cushlough Cemetery.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam.