Some of the fourth class children from Gaelscoil an Choillín, performing a traditional Irish dance for Tommy Farrell and his family at the Gaelscoil last week.

Gaelscoil an Choillín say goodbye to Tommy

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Tommy Farrell retired from his position of school caretaker at Gaelscoil an Choillín last week and was given an emotional farewell by school staff, pupils and parents.

Tommy was part of the school team right from the birth of the school at Cullion GAA grounds and, more than most, helped with the development and growth of the new gaelscoil to where it is at the moment – a modern, fully operational new school with every educational and sporting facility, located in the Lynn area of Mullingar.

Tommy was always at his best when working with the children, both in the gardens and grounds, as well as in the school gym.

They all knew him and he knew them all by their first names and always involved the schoolchildren in his work, while at the same time trying to improve his grasp of Irish by using his limited Gaeilge with them.

At a farewell function in the school hall last week, all the various classes performed a specially composed act for Tommy, his wife and family, who were also present.

Afterwords Tommy and his wife received a number of presentations from the school board of management, school staff and parents association.

Tommy was almost too overcome by the occasion while thanking everyone who worked with him through the years. He did manage to speak though, and he said that Gaelscoil An Choillín was an extraordinary place to work and he expected that the school was destined to become a powerful force for bilingual education in Mullingar in the years ahead.

At the presentation for Tommy Farrell in Gaelscoil an Choillín last week were (from left) Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, An Bord Bainistíochta, Tommy Farrell, Sorcha Ní Mhistéil, An Bord Banistíochta, and Lorraine Ní Sceallaigh, Príomhoide.
Tommy with his granddaughter Aida at the farewell function.
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