Pictures: Three decades of fond memories as Tom retires as principal of South Kilkenny school

Tom O’ Brien arrived to Mullinavat parish in May 1986. It was a very hard time to gain employment in the country and he had already prepared for emigration to Australia that summer.

He was interviewed by Monsignor Thomas Maher. At interview, he was unaware of Monsignor Maher’s pedigree with Kilkenny hurling, and told him if he was employed he would guarantee the school team would win a final within a year (luckily, this came to pass).

At that time, he was employed in St Patrick’s Boys NS. He worked under the direction of William (Billy) Kelly and his wife Anna. They were very welcoming to him.

His first class was Holy Communion, and he worked with the nuns and teachers from St Brigid's Convent. Both schools had a very strong relationship over the years until 1992, when both schools closed and the co-educational St Beacon’s opened its doors .

He worked in St Beacon’s from 1992 to 2023. He has been principal of the school since 2004, when he took on the role from Brid Bn Uí Mhurchú. He has great memories of his time working in Mullinavat. He stressed that the community is what has contributed so much to the school development over the years.

He says he’s been blessed to have met his wife Suzanne in the school as she worked as an external teacher of music.
Suzanne and his son Jack have contributed greatly to his role as a teacher and principal in the school. He developed a great relationship with the local community groups and particularly with Mullinavat GAA and Camogie.

When he first arrived in Mullinavat, he was invited to train with the local adult team. He found out quickly that standards in Kilkenny were of a very high standard.

He stressed the importance of a balanced education and tried to ensure all children in St Beacon’s were given every opportunity to participate in formal sports, but equally importantly to take part in music, drama, badminton, swimming and IT.

Children took active part in quiz teams, art competitions, maths and science initiatives and chess. He was delighted to have a new school library to help children develop their joy of reading.

He thanked all his teaching and ancillary staff who worked so well to ensure that formal teaching was of a very high standard and that all children were seen as individual and developed to the best of their ability.

Since the school opened, there have been many changes to the school curriculum, and the school has always ensured that the best resources have been provided for the children. He said he was very proud of the many achievements of individual children and teams.

They always represented their school with great pride and their success was always celebrated in the school .
He is extremely proud of the extra facilities provided by extra playground developments, ,school library and the sensory garden which were provided by the board of management and the parents of the parish.

Tom always valued every child and their family and did his best to ensure they left the school well prepared for the rest of their educational journey.

He has welcomed back past pupils to the school as second level pupils , college students, sporting heroes and also as parents. privileged

He said he was privileged to have been a teacher and principal in the parish for all his teaching career and leaves with wonderful memories. He thanked all who had made the journey so fulfilling from staff, board and families.

He thanked Fr Barron PP for his role in the school both as a constant contibutor to the children’s development.
He said he was indebted to all in the community in more difficult times following bereavements in his family.

His family are extremely grateful for all the support provided to him and his family .
He wished everyone the very best for the years ahead as further developments are pending in the school’s development.

He was honoured that the community had celebrated his retirement with a Celebration Mass and a gathering for all in the community hall afterwards.

Seán Maher