Diarmuid calls it a day after 45 years at Holy Family

ONE of Diarmuid McCarthy’s proudest moments in his long teaching career is the day that Holy Family National School opened its doors, when the two amalgamated schools of St Joseph’s and the Convent joined together to ensure a bright future for the children of Rathmore.

After a 44-year teaching career, the Rathmore principal officially retired last week, leaving a lasting legacy in his home parish.

Diarmuid grew up in Rathmore, and having spent some years teaching in St Joseph’s NS, Maradyke, Cork, he returned to his home place to continue his teaching career. He first taught in St Joseph’s National School, where he went to school himself, but declining numbers led him to Gneeveguilla, Ballydesmond and finally back to where it all began in 1996. A year later he became principal of the boys’ school, replacing Paddy Mullooly, who had also taught him.

The next 10 years were spent campaigning and fighting for what was to become Holy Family National School. It officially opened in September 2007, and for the past 11 years Diarmuid has been an admin teaching principal at the school.

One of his favourite jobs was to open the doors every morning to meet and greet the pupils, and it is the banter and friendship with the pupils that he will miss most.

“They always came with their smiles and their stories,” he said.

“I always believed that teaching is a partnership between parents, teachers and pupils, and if you show respect you will get it back in spades.”

A special night of celebration for Diarmuid took place on Friday last with past pupils recalling their days with the popular principal. He also received a presentation of a painting from Aghadoe-based painter Phil O’Grady, and a travel voucher to mark his retirement.

Celebrations will continue at the school this week, but as a real community man, he will still have a role in the parish through his involvement with the GAA and the community council in the coming years.

ABOVE: Holy Family Primary School Principal Diarmuid McCarthy at his retirement party with his wife Sheila and teaching staff members Breda Murphy and Marion Tuohy. (Back from left): Paudie Dineen, Anthony O’Connell, Maureen Creaming, John Moynihan,...

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Diarmuid McCarthy, outgoing principal of Holy Family Primary School, at his retirement party after 45 years of teaching, with his wife Sheila, daughter Julie, sons Donnacha, Derry and Padraic. and family members Patrick, Donal and Mary McCarthy;...

LEFT: Diarmuid with his wife Sheila, daughter Julie, and sons Donnacha, Derry and Padraic at Teach Iosagain, Rathmore, on Friday. Photos by Michelle Cooper Galvin