SCHOOL’S OUT FOR 15 LECTURERS FROM DKIT
On Thursday night I headed for the Oriel Centre Dundalk Gaol where a special retirement and Christmas party was being held for members of the TUI many of whom taught and teach in the DKiT. With 15 retirees and a huge collection of party revellers, the place was packed by the time I got there.
I as only in the door when I met up with Aoilean Ni Eigartaigh from Drumcondra and Anna LeachMorgey from Blackrock who were welcoming everyone as they came in and assured me it was going to be a nice quiet celebration.
Next, I got talking to lecturer Brian Boyd from Banbridge who was chatting to John Harte from Armagh who said he hung up the mortarboard and duster last year and was thoroughly enjoying his free time and was looking forward to a night with all his old mates.
Just in the door was head of the school of engineering Tom Dooley from Dromiskin who was there to bid a find farewell to colleagues and have a laugh with some he hadn’t seen in a while.
After this I got talking to Brendan and Lorraine McQuillan from Blackrock who were with John and Rosemary McArdle from Blackrock who were enjoying their retirement and were there to make the best of the night with all their old friends.
Also in their company were Marie Bouquet from Dunleer who is with the TUI and Deirdre McArdle- Clinton and Pat Clinton from Donaghmore who told me they have retired a few years ago and were up for making the best of it. So much so they have just released Jewel of the North East a history of the third level college in Dundalk from the days of the Regional Technical College through to the Dundalk Institute of Technology and also reflects the social history of Dundalk during that period.
Not too long later I then met up with Bridget Kelly from Ardee and Sergio Moreira from Portugal who were there to wish all the best to the retirees but also enjoy the Christmas party too.
Just arrived in the door were Alan O’Brien from Drogheda and Noel Stapleton from Manydown Close who said it was great to see all the old faces again and was really looking forward to the night with them.
Making my way through the crowd I caught up with Nigel Clinton from Dublin Road and Eoghan Bailey from Blackrock who retired last year and said he doesn’t know how he had to time to work now that he was enjoying himself.
I headed over for a word with Paul McDonald originally from Cavan but now hanging his hat on Dublin Road who best described his retirement as an extension to his summer holidays and it was great to see all the old faces again.
Not too long Later I met up with Ciaran Carragher from Kilkerley and Bernard O’Hare from Mullacrew who were there as moral support, but were really up for making the best of the Christmas party.
Making my way over to another table I then got talking to Mark Kavanagh from Tallanstown who was talking to retiree Fionnuala Dullaghan from Farndreg who told me even though she had retired, she had been asked back not once, but twice to work. The same sentiment was shared by Bernadette Cassidy from Ravensdale, obviously Business Studies realised the pair were irreplaceable, I thought!
After this I got a word with Jim O’Donohoe from Donabate who was certainly enjoying his free time but admitted he did miss the camaraderie with his fellow lecturers.
One man who was very busy on the night was Seamus Bellew from Stamanaran who was setting up an area where everyone could have a look at the Jewel of the North East and was up for making the best of the occasion.
Finally, before I departed, I caught up with my old friend Bill and Margaret McCarthy from Mullaharlin Road who were looking forward to seeing all the old faces but more to partying the night away!