Beloved Tipperary secondary school teachers retire after memorable careers

A very special evening of celebration was held in The Templemore Arms on March 19 when a large number of current and retired staff members gathered to honour the remarkable teaching careers of Alice Cooney and Noel Fogarty.

Principal Paul Fogarty referred to his colleagues as “Two giants. Pillars of our school community” who will genuinely be missed by both students and staff members.

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Throughout the evening many memories were recalled and much laughter was had as tributes were paid to Alice and Noel.

A proud Laois woman, Alice Cooney joined Our Lady’s staff in September 2000. A graduate of NUI Maynooth, she spent three years teaching in London and ten years in Blakestown Community School Dublin before arriving in Templemore.

An excellent and passionate teacher of Irish and English, Alice also taught History, LCVP, CSPE and SPHE during her twenty-five years at Our Lady’s.

Her commitment to her work, combined with her inspiring teaching style and her compassionate nature made her one of the most popular teachers in the school.

Students in Ms Cooney’s classes were always engaged and valued.

This is no surprise as Alice believes strongly that the teacher–student relationship is central to quality teaching and learning.

During her years in Our Lady’s this was always evident in her passionate dedication to the role of tutor, her genuine interest in her students and indeed in the gratitude expressed by her students.

Long before “student wellbeing” was the buzzword we know it to be, Alice was delivering it.

This commitment to school life stretched beyond the classroom as Alice also gave generously of her time and talents in extra-curricular activities such as Public Speaking, Irish Drama, Debating, Study Skills, Student Council while also assisting with countless other student events and liturgies.

Anyone who has ever worked with Alice would agree that her support and advice was always invaluable.

Her colleagues on the night described her as always being “wise, warm, patient and encouraging”.

In 1998 Noel Fogarty began his teaching career in Our Lady’s.

A past pupil of Templemore CBS, Noel studied in UCD and his teaching career brought him to Dublin, Borrisoleigh, Liverpool, Pallaskenry, Co Limerick and then back to Templemore.

On his return to his Alma Mater, Noel quickly developed a reputation as an excellent teacher of History, Business and Economics.

Quiet and unassuming, Noel always worked hard to ensure his students reached their full potential.

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His dedication to and passion for his subjects was particularly evident in his History classes where he brought the subject to life.

It’s no secret that his senior students often said affectionately that going to History class was looked forward to as “Story time with daddy Noel”.

Not such a big “tech” fan, Noel was one of those teachers with the unique ability to genuinely engage students without additional “bells, whistles and frills”.

Hard work, passion for his subjects, and care for his students were his hallmarks.

To the local community and indeed to the larger GAA community, Noel is synonymous with hurling in Our Lady’s.

His commitment, calmness under pressure, love of the game and belief in teamwork really came to the fore on the training field.

In his early days at Our Lady’s, Noel trained many teams and was successful in leading them to several wins in The Rice and Croke Cup competitions.

Our Lady’s contested numerous Harty Cup Finals over the years with Noel at the helm.

Along with his management team, Noel’s dedication and belief in nurturing talent has brought Our Lady’s to its unique position today.

For over twenty-five years, the school (with three hundred or less boys) has overachieved in its ability to compete at U-19 A Hurling season after season.

In 2017 Noel Fogarty alongside Tom Byrnes finally reaped their well deserved rewards when the Harty Cup returned to Templemore for the first time since 1978.

Mirroring that great year, Our Lady’s then went on to also win All Ireland glory in 2017.

The Fogarty family now have the unique distinction in hurling of three victories in Harty and Croke Cup across two generations.

Noel was on the 1978 team while also winning both competitions as manager and his son Bill achieved the same success with Thurles CBS earlier this year.

So as Our Lady’s bid a fond farewell to these two wonderful educators, all in the school community are grateful for their inspiration and immeasurable contribution to school life.

Alice and Noel were also warmly thanked for their friendship, support and guidance over the years.

Both retireesmwere wished many long, healthy and happy years ahead.

On behalf of all in Our Lady’s, Ms Therese Boland concluded a wonderful evening with the following wish for Alice and Noel -
“Guímíd beannacht Dé agus gach rath ort féin agus do chlann. Go mbeadh sonas, sláinte agus suaimhneas oraibh. Mar a deirtear “Ní bheidh do leitheíd ann arís!” Mile buíochas as gach aon rud thar na blianta”.