Tributes paid to late ETB stalwarts
Fond tributes were paid at the March meeting of Cavan-Monaghan ETB, to a number of people who served the organisation during their respective lives - a former chair, a school principal, and a beloved teacher - all of whom have since sadly passed away.
Rosaleen O’Hanlon (née Mooney) from Carrickmacross died on January 18 last.
She was described as an “extraordinary lady” by Fianna Fáil Councillor Clifford Kelly, who made a “massive contribution” to life in Monaghan as a former public representative and in the field of education as a member of the former VEC.
Ms O’Hanlon, mother of current board member PJ O’Hanlon (FF), served the organisation for over 29 years (1985-2014), during that time becoming the first lady chairperson of Monaghan VEC from 1999 to 2004.
She was elected chairperson of Monaghan Institute at its inaugural meeting in February 1993, and held that position for the next 15 years.
Ms O’Hanlon also remained an active and valued member of the MI Board of Governors up until she retired from the ETB in 2014.
“Rosaleen led many delegations over the years to the Department of Education,” remembered Cllr Kelly, and said it was a “proud day” for her to see the official opening of a new College of Further Education.
A member of Boards of Management at Inver and Ballybay colleges, as well as Largy in Clones, Ms O’Hanlon also served on staff selection boards. “She had a lovely way of making the nervous candidate feel at ease.”
Cllr Kelly best remembered her “distinguished” presence. “Rosaleen always dressed immaculately, colourful coats, hair done to the last, and always carried an umbrella.”
He concluded by saying by describing her as a woman of “great style, a great sense of humour”.
‘A man of the community’
Gerardine Heaphey paid tribute to the late Liam O’Connor, Castleshane, Co Monaghan, former principal of Beech Hill College, who died on January 6 last.
“A man of the community, a man for the community,” she described him to the meeting.
At the time of his death, Mr O’Connor had retired from teaching 23 years to the day.
A former honours graduate from UCD, who first commenced his teaching career in London, he returned to Monaghan a year later, initially working at the Vocational School in Rockcorry.
When the school closed, he relocated to the school at Glen Road in Monaghan Town as vice principal from 1968, and as principal in May 1974, serving in that role for 25 years.
Mr O’Connor oversaw the move in 1979 from Glen Road to the state-of-the-art facility today known as Beech Hill College.
All told, he gave 40 years of “dedicated service” and was a strong advocate of the “vocational” school model.
“He was a great educationalist, and a wonderful principal, who always took an interest in all his students, knowing each one by name and continuing to enquire about their progress even after they left school.”
Board member Joe McGrath also acknowledged the legacy of Patrick ‘Pat’ Nally, Walshestown Cross, Mullingar, who died on January 30, a former teacher of English and History at Cavan Vocational School.
In addition to his teaching duties, which he took up in 1971, Mr Nally also had responsibility for the night classes.
He was appointed an Adult Education Organiser in 1980, and retired from teaching in January 2007.
“He had a warm and sociable personality and had a key role in developing and popularising adult education in Co Cavan for almost 30 years,” said Mr McGrath.
“He organised courses right across the county, from Kingscourt to Glangevlin.”
He was extensively travelled, led the formation of the Cavan Singers in 1984, and helped promote the arts in Cavan, organising exhibitions.
“A keen historian, wonderful storyteller, and great conversationalist, he had a great sense of social justice.
“He was at the heart of the Co Cavan ecumenical movement.”