Bunscoil na Toirbhirte, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork
‘Remembering Sr. Miriam O'Connell, RIP
- Principal of Bunscoil 1985-1991.’
- Principal of Bunscoil 1985-1991.’
Sincere thanks to Ms Kayren Hayes for writing the following piece,
‘Remembering Sr. Miriam O'Connell - R.I.P.
Principal of Bunscoil na Toirbhirte in Mitchelstown from 1985-1991.’
‘Remembering Sr. Miriam O'Connell - R.I.P.
Principal of Bunscoil na Toirbhirte in Mitchelstown from 1985-1991.’
Sr. Miriam O'Connell of the Presentation Sisters in Tralee passed away peacefully on 17th April. During her long life she worked in a number of schools in Lixnaw, Cahereiveen, Listowel, Castleisland and we were lucky to have her as principal of Bunscoil na Toirbhirte in Mitchelstown from 1985-1991. She succeeded Sr. Nano Purcell who had moved to a school in Dublin.
During her six years in Mitchelstown, she saw many developments in the school. She was a very progressive educationalist and was instrumental in overseeing the first Special Class for children with additional needs, which was piloted in the school from 1985. She was acutely aware of the children in the school community who may be disadvantaged in any respect and in keeping with the Presentation ethos was known for her extreme kindness to many.
When she arrived in Bunscoil na Toirbhirte the Presentation Sisters comprised almost half of the teaching staft, although this was to change as nuns who retired were not replaced. I recall great fun in the school when the All-Ireland football matches would be due in September, when Sr. Miriam being a passionate Kerry woman would tease Sr. Carmel, a Dubliner and, in the midst of a largely Cork staff, the green and gold would be draped around the door of her office and in the staffroom, resulting in much light-hearted banter.
Bhí grá mór aici don teanga agus don chultúr Gaelach. Her motto "Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí (’Praise the youth and they will flourish') was adopted by the school as their mission statement. Prior to her departure from Mitchelstown in 1991, the school which had been known as the ‘Convent Primary' was renamed "Bunscoil na Toirbhirte'.
She is mourned by her sisters Sr. Regina and Elaine and her brother Diarmuid and extended family as well as her Presentation Community. I was privileged to have worked under her guidance for six and her respect, kindness and sense of fun will be remembered by past staff and her many past-pupils in the area. In the future hope to have a special Mass in her memory in the locality. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam. Leabha i measc na naomh go raibh aici. Ní bheidh a leithéad ann arís.
During her six years in Mitchelstown, she saw many developments in the school. She was a very progressive educationalist and was instrumental in overseeing the first Special Class for children with additional needs, which was piloted in the school from 1985. She was acutely aware of the children in the school community who may be disadvantaged in any respect and in keeping with the Presentation ethos was known for her extreme kindness to many.
When she arrived in Bunscoil na Toirbhirte the Presentation Sisters comprised almost half of the teaching staft, although this was to change as nuns who retired were not replaced. I recall great fun in the school when the All-Ireland football matches would be due in September, when Sr. Miriam being a passionate Kerry woman would tease Sr. Carmel, a Dubliner and, in the midst of a largely Cork staff, the green and gold would be draped around the door of her office and in the staffroom, resulting in much light-hearted banter.
Bhí grá mór aici don teanga agus don chultúr Gaelach. Her motto "Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí (’Praise the youth and they will flourish') was adopted by the school as their mission statement. Prior to her departure from Mitchelstown in 1991, the school which had been known as the ‘Convent Primary' was renamed "Bunscoil na Toirbhirte'.
She is mourned by her sisters Sr. Regina and Elaine and her brother Diarmuid and extended family as well as her Presentation Community. I was privileged to have worked under her guidance for six and her respect, kindness and sense of fun will be remembered by past staff and her many past-pupils in the area. In the future hope to have a special Mass in her memory in the locality. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam. Leabha i measc na naomh go raibh aici. Ní bheidh a leithéad ann arís.
Kayren Ní Aodha
Sr. Miriam (front row on the left) pictured with the staff of Bunscoil na Toirbhirte in 1989-1990. Back: Trisha Sheehan, Margaret Walsh, Catherine Murphy, Sr. Perpetua, Margaret-Mary Coughlan, Sr. Carmel and Catherine Horgan; Front: Sr Miriam, Mary Tobin, Eylene Linehan, Flora O'Callaghan, Betty Casey and Kayren Hayes.
