Listowel school bids farewell to teacher of 33 years as she heads into retirement

In what was a fitting full circle send off for Coolard NS teacher Norma Leahy this past week, after 33 years teaching there, Norma finished her educational journey back where it all began when she was a pupil there herself all those years ago.

Amazingly too, that is not where the special connections end either as incredibly, Norma’s class teacher when she joined Coolard NS way back when as a pupil was one Maurice O’Mahony. Fast forward then to 1991 when Norma herself was setting out on her first year back in her old stomping ground, this time as a teacher and lo and behold, who’s sons were right there in her first class?

That’s right, Maurice O’Mahony’s sons, Martin and John. A full circle moment indeed.

All good things must come to an end though and for Norma, the end of her long and illustrious career came last Friday when, after 42 years in total as a teacher, she brought the curtain down on her life in education.

A special celebratory mass, presided over by Fr Seán Hanafin, was held in the school last week to mark the occasion.

Norma spent the first nine years of her teaching career in Drimoleague in Cork before returning back to Coolard in 1991.

At the mass last week Principal Margaret Kissane thanked Norma for her 33 years of dedicated and loyal service to the pupils of Coolard NS while former Principal Maurice O Mahony was on hand to tell of that amazing connection with Norma from all those years ago.

Norma thanked the Fr Hanafin, the parents, Boards of Management and of course her family for their amazing support they have given her during her teaching career.

She wished the pupils well in their future and hoped that they would be as happy in their chosen careers as she was in hers.

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