Athlone-area INTO branch marks retirement of three local teachers

The Athlone/Moate Branch of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) hosted a special event recently to honour and celebrate the careers of three recently retired teachers.

Surrounded by colleagues, friends, and family, the evening was a fitting tribute to their many years of dedicated service to education in the community.

This year’s retirees included: Catherine Ryan from St Joseph’s NS, Summerhill, Adrian Coughlan from Forgney NS, and Martina Mulvey from Ballybay CNS.

At the ceremony in The Bounty each of these educators was celebrated for their passion for teaching and commitment to fostering learning and development in students over the course of their careers.

Adrian Coughlan was praised for his dynamic teaching methods. His classroom was described as a “well-oiled machine,” where Thursday mornings became famous for public speaking and reports, and his project work left a lasting mark on his pupils. Adrian mastered the art of teaching four classes in one room, effortlessly differentiating lessons to meet the needs of all students.

Catherine Ryan received heartfelt tributes for her lifelong commitment to supporting pupils with additional needs. Her unwavering dedication to helping these students succeed and feel included was a defining feature of her career. Catherine’s patience, empathy, and determination to ensure every child had the opportunity to excel served as an inspiration to her colleagues and a lifeline to her pupils.

Martina Mulvey was hailed for her ability to create a secure, nurturing learning environment in her classroom. Martina’s approach ensured every child felt truly valued, not just for academic achievements but also for who they were as individuals.

Her kindness and unwavering sense of fairness were evident in every interaction with her pupils, inspiring confidence and trust. This caring approach seamlessly merged with her orderly classroom management, fostering an atmosphere where students were encouraged to reach their full potential both academically and personally.

Although Carmel Browne, current President of the INTO, was unable to attend the event in person, she sent a special message to the retirees: “I want to take this opportunity to thank you sincerely for your participation in INTO as a member first and foremost, but I also want to acknowledge those of you who acted as Staff Reps, Branch Officers, or in other INTO leadership roles. Your endeavours have been invaluable and no doubt influenced others to become activists. Míle Buíochas."

The event was co-hosted by Branch Chairperson Lisa Quigley and Vice Chairperson Jackie Nevin, who guided the evening’s proceedings. INTO Vice President Anne Horan addressed the gathering, expressing gratitude to the retirees for their immense contribution to education.

Also present on the night was Peter O’Toole, District 7 CEC Representative of the INTO, who spoke about the vital role teachers play in shaping society, and Frances O’Toole, who represented the Retired Teachers’ Association of Ireland. Frances warmly welcomed the new retirees to join the association and outlined some of the recent activities organised for retired teachers.

These included social outings designed to foster support among retired colleagues. She encouraged the new retirees to take advantage of these opportunities, highlighting the benefits of staying connected and active in their retirement.

Each retiree was presented with a commemorative gift and certificate as a token of appreciation from the branch.

Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, the night featured lively traditional Irish music by Folklure, whose performances brought joy and energy to the event. Photographer Padraig Devaney was on hand to capture the evening’s special moments.

Chairperson Lisa Quigley expressed her gratitude to the organising committee and all who attended. She gave a special thanks to Branch Secretary Elaine Kincaid for her hard work behind the scenes in organising the event, alongside the dedicated members of the INTO Athlone/Moate Branch Committee.

“Tonight, we celebrate not just careers but lifetimes of dedication to the education and well-being of our children. On behalf of the Athlone/Moate Branch of the INTO, I extend our deepest thanks and best wishes to Catherine, Adrian, and Martina as they move into this exciting new chapter of their lives.”