A 40-year goodbye to Mary from colleagues in Rathmore

THE curtain came down on the long teaching career of Mary Healy last summer and – in honour of her decades of service to Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra – her friends, family, and colleagues past and present attended the Great Southern Hotel in Killarney recently to mark her retirement.

Ms Healy spent some 40 years teaching until calling time on her career on the last day of May 2019. While she’ll be best remembered for spending more than 20 years at Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra, she also taught at Kenmare and Killorglin Vocational Schools, as well as Rathmore Vocational School before it amalgamated with St Mary’s.

At Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra, she taught French and Maths, and also served as a year head. She was well-respected by students and colleagues alike.

Also present on the night was her husband, Jeremiah; sons, Jerry and Seán and their wives, Eimear and Miriam; and daughter Catríona and her husband, Liam.

The Ballydesmond woman said she had a wonderful night at the Great Southern, and while retirement is not without its perks, she admitted she does miss the school’s staff and students.

“The night started off with photos, and then we had a meal, and Liam O’Connor came in to play a bit of music,” she explained to The Kerryman.

“The night then was music, dancing, and a bit of chatting and reminiscing about old times. I got presentations from school staff as well, from Carmel O’Keeffe and Seamus O’Connell.

“It’s nice to be able to relax in retirement. I don’t have to be up as early in the morning, and I’m able to do a bit of reading and gardening. But I definitely miss the staff and the craic we always had.

“I spent great years at the school, and there’s exceptional staff there. It was always a pleasure going in to work with them.”

Photo by Eamonn Keogh Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra French and Maths teacher Mary Healy celebrated her retirement after 40 years of service at a function with teaching colleagues and family in The Great Southern Hotel, Killarney. Seated from left are Denis Kerins (Principal), Jeremiah Healy, Mary Healy, Maria Hanrahan (Deputy Principal) and TJ Howard.

Photo Eamonn Keogh Maria Hanrahan (deputy principal Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra), Denis Kerins (principal), and Mary and Jeremiah Healy.