Celebrations And Farewells At St. Fergal’s

May 2007

The last week of term was a week of farewells and celebrations as St. Fergal’s bid farewell to leaving cert and transition year students and more poignantly to Tom Daly, Deputy Principal, who retires this year after 42 years service.

The round of celebrations kicked off with an awards night for T.Y. students. Portfolios of students’ work and walls of photographs bore testament to the energy, enthusiasm and commitment of both students and staff. Terry Smeaton spoke on behalf of all when he said it was a year of ‘new exciting experiences, memorable trips, friendships formed which will last a lifetime and enduring memories of the best year of their school lives. Pat Roe, Co-ordinator, spoke of the journey to maturity that is transition year and how much he had enjoyed the journey with such a committed class. He was presented with a folder of photographs as a memento of the year and Clodagh Kennedy, art teacher ,was thanked for all the work she put into the presentation on the night. Parents, staff and students then got an opportunity to see ‘Gan Ainm’ the excellent film made by the class and Ms. Kennedy during the year.

On Tuesday the 29th of May awards night for leaving certs took place. Fr. Carey and Fr. Foley officiated at a mass in which the involvement of Ms. Noeleen Lynam, Ms. Vicky Murphy and the students themselves was very evident. Awards were presented to students who had excelled in various fields. These awards are generously sponsored by Bank of Ireland every year and Ms. Linda Power presented them on the night.

Academic ……..…Sarah O’ Connor and Dylan O’ Toole
Achievement……..Kate Hyland and Eanna Byrne
Sport …………….Sinead Delaney and Willie Delaney.




Art Teacher Clodagh Kennedy presented the annual Norma Cantillon Memorial Award to Sean Creagh. Metalwork Teacher Pat Keeshan presented the annual Robert Ryan Memorial Award to Brian Guilfoyle.


Principal, Aine O’Neill echoed Fr. Carey’s homily in urging students to be true to themselves their talents and values and to always remember their roots. Popular year head, Oliver Kennedy also spoke about the importance of family and told students not to waste life but live it to the full.

Student President’ Andrew Kavenagh, thanked parents and teachers for their long suffering support and spoke of their sadness at leaving the school. He said there must have been some bad days but he couldn’t remember them! He spoke with pride of the huge achievements in winning 2 All Ireland titles in hurling and camogie and also spoke of the enduring friendships formed in St. Fergal’s.

Niall Mc Evoy then made a presentation on behalf to Mr. Tom Daly on behalf of his last ever Metalwork class and spoke of his commitment and dedication but above all his fairness in dealing with students and willingness to give his free time to project work.

Following a speech by Fr. Foley, on behalf of the Board of Management, Mr Daly thanked students for the surprise presentation they had made to him on the previous evening. He said he was is rarely stuck for words but on this occasion he had been totally caught out. There were quite a few wet eyes as the evening ended with a standing ovation for him.




Tom, originally from Banagher came to Rathdowney in 1965 42 years ago as Metalwork teacher and has served both as teacher and Deputy Principal (37 years) with commitment, energy and dedication. His enthusiasm for his subject was infectious and he was always ready to embrace new developments in the teaching of engineering. An Garda Siochana missed a great detective as his forensic skills ensured no crime was left undetected. However, students always recognised his unfailing sense of fair play and compassion.