‘An Boss’ Seán retires after 38-years as principal of Gaelscoil

Some tears were of joy in celebration of a lifetime’s work, others were of sadness to see an amazing educator bid farewell to pupils, families and colleagues.

The one thing we can be sure of – there were lots of tears.

Sean MacGearailt announced to board members and colleagues in recent weeks that he would be stepping down as principal of Gaelscoil de hÍde in Fermoy later this summer.

Not only has Sean served as principal of the gaelscoil for 38-years, but also he established the school in 1984 and oversaw and inspired its growth and expansion.

He is its beating heart, a constant over four decades championing the Irish language while simultaneously, and perhaps with even greater vigour, championing the potential and uniqueness of all the pupils who came there.

‘AN BOSS’

A proud West Kerry man, Sean arrived at the gaelscoil early last Friday morning to see staff and colleagues welcome him for a special breakfast with Europe’s ‘The Final Countdown’ blaring.

A massive poster with the words ‘An Boss’ and a picture of Sean were placed at the entrance to the school. And so would start a day of celebration and farewells. A day full of surprises.

Unbeknownst to him parents, colleagues and members of his family had been plotting a very special event to mark this sad but also joyous occasion.

Teacher at the Gaelscoil, five-times All Ireland winner and Sunday Game pundit Tomás Ó Sé, joined forces with former broadcaster, and now board member at Gaelscoil de hÍde, Graham Clifford to host a ‘This Is Your Life’ celebration for Sean.

And on a truly memorable morning, scenes from Sean’s early years in Kerry were acted out by some of the children – including the moment he found out he’d landed the job in far-flung Fermoy and also the moment he met his wife-to-be, Fiona.

His sister Joan travelled up from Kerry, there was a message of congratulations from his brother in Australia, members of the very first class in the Gaelscoil in 1984 attended, as did former college friends of Sean’s to reveal secrets from his student days at St Pat’s in Dublin.

His four children paid tribute to a dad they said was “super 24/7”.

And there was even a special message of congratulations from President Higgins…… or at least an impersonator pretending to be President Higgins. It was hard to tell!

FOREVER REMEMBERED

Music, singing, craic, food and a cake to behold. It was an emotional day in the state-of-the art school building which Sean, his colleagues and all the pupils, moved into off the Cork Road in Fermoy in recent years.

Sean didn’t just start a school, he created an institution and his boots will be so huge to fill.

Over four decades he helped oversee the education of thousands of boys and girls and created an atmosphere of respect, fun, thoughtfulness and motivation which armed so many young people with great tools for life.

When presented with his ‘ This Is Your Life’ book at the end of the celebration the roof was raised as pupils, colleagues, friends and family applauded a truly great man who gave his all for a school he loved…. and a school with which he will forever be remembered.