The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Pádraig’s last days at the chalkface
TO Pádraig Firtéar it only seems like yesterday since he climbed the steps of the CBS in Dingle to begin his working life as a fresh-out-of-college 22-year-old. Now, 43 years later, he is retiring as principal of Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, having left a lasting impression on education in West Kerry.
Brother Burke had just been replaced as CBS principal by the kind-hearted Br Turner when Pádraig began work in 1975, teaching Maths, Chemistry, Irish and Religion. Br Turner was replaced in the mid 1980s by Br Ó Loingsigh and in 1992, in what was a milestone in the history of the Christian Brothers in Dingle, Pádraig was appointed as the first lay principle of the CBS.
Another milestone was reached for education in West Kerry and for Pádraig’s career when he became the first principle of Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, which opened in 2007 as an amalgamation of the CBS and the Presentation Secondary School in Dingle.
The Pobalscoil got off to a somewhat troubled start, amid a sometimes heated local debate about its all-Irish language policy. Through diplomacy and determination the issue was resolved: the school would be all-Irish, but pupils who needed help were, and still are, provided with an exceptional level of Irish language supports.
Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne has since gone on to earn an enviable reputation for academic, sports and extra curricular achievements and Pádraig’s name is inextricably linked with this success.
I always strive for excellence and I always perget severeuntilI things sorted,” he says.
He takes huge satisfaction from “everything to do with the school” – the staff, the level of parental support and, in particular, the achievements of his students. “I’m particularly proud of the students’ extra curricular activities – winning the Hogan Cup twice, Corn Uí Mhuirí five times, winning the national Press Pass Awards for two years in a row, the All-Ireland translating award, their achievements in basketball…there’s a lot really,” he says.
Looking back on his career, Pádraig doesn’t have any negative memories. “I’m always positive and I think my positivity has stood to me,” he says.
He considers himself “very lucky to have had great boards of management and staff” and perhaps most of all he feels that: “It has been great working with people I know, with parents I know and in a community I know… I feel it gave me an understanding.”
Last Wednesday Pobalsoil teachers organised an informal gathering in the school to mark Padraig’s imminent retirement. Having been involved in the education of two generations of locals he isn’t likely to be soon forgotten but, just in case, the teachers unveiled a plaque honouring his kind and gifted leadership. It reads:
In onóir do Phádraig Firtéar, Uasal, as a cheannasaíocht chumasach, chneasta ar Phobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne ó 2007 - 2018 agus as an 43 bliain fónta a chaith sé ag cur oideachais ar óige na leithinse seo ó 1975 i leith.