School’s out for John Devenney and Suzanne Gallagher, who both marked their retirement from Scoil Cholmcille Kilmacrennan with a special event last week.
Principal John and teacher Suzanne close the book on a combined 71 years of service as educators.
Thursday was a bittersweet day for both of them as staff, family, the Board of Management and the Parents’ Association gathered for speeches and presentations.
“One thing I will treasure is the memories, the relationships and friends,” says John on his retirement. “I genuinely enjoyed the journey and the laughter.”
A native of Rann na Feirste, John qualified as a teacher from St Patrick’s College in Dublin in 1990. He then taught for 18 months in Monasterboice, County Louth, before being appointed to Scoil Cholmcille in Kilmacrennan in late 1991. At that time, the school was a three-teacher establishment with approximately 76 pupils on the roll. John taught alongside Principal Nancy MacGabhann and Anne Gallagher.
Upon Nancy’s retirement in 1999, John took over the reins as principal, a position he held for an impressive 26 years.
As numbers increased in the 2000s, John became a leading figure in the campaign for a new school building, joining a deputation of parents to the Dáil to advocate for their cause. Their efforts bore fruit, with a new school building opening its doors in 2008.
Under John’s leadership, the school continued to develop its facilities. In 2010, they successfully secured new sports facilities, a garden, and a polytunnel. Another significant milestone was reached in May of this year with the completion of a Solas room extension. This new facility includes multi purpose hall, Special Educational Teaching (SET) and Wellbeing Room, sensory rooms, soft play areas, and a sensory garden, catering for up to 12 pupils with special education needs.
As of this year, pupil numbers have risen to 228.
Retiring principal John Devenney with his wife Annemarie and family at the presentation event in Scoil Cholmcille, Kilmacrennan on Thursday evening. Picture: Declan Doherty
“I’ve enjoyed working with everybody along the way,” says John. “I will always appreciate the support of the community, the Board of Management and the parents.”
Among all the milestones, John says the achievements of the pupils are among the highlights of his time at the school.
Through participation in a diverse range of activities, including drama, debates, and quizzes, the school has scooped several national titles.
Suzanne, a native of Carrigart, leaves a legacy rooted in music tuition and the Irish language. She moved to Kilmacrennan National School from Devlin Reagh in 2006 and has dedicated a total of 36 years to teaching.
It was fitting that Suzanne and John’s careers came full circle together last week, as they both attended college at the same time.
Teacher Suzanne Gallagher with her husband Michael and family members on the occasion of her retirement from Scoil Cholmcille, Kilmacrennan.
For Suzanne, retirement promises days on the golf course and new adventures through travel. John is also looking forward to planning some trips away, writing, and delving deeper into his passion for local history.
Kilmacrennan NS now looks to the future under the leadership of John Carr from Ballyarr, who will be joining from Scoil Chaitríona Ballyshannon.
See more photos from Thursday’s retirement celebration below:
Fr. Martin Chambers made presentations to teacher Suzanne Gallagher and principal John Devenney.
Scoil Cholmcille, Kilmacrennan Parents’ Association members Pauline Gallagher, Terri McKee-Hegarty and Dawn Costello making a presentation to retiring principal John Devenney.
Máire Greene and Eimear Diver making a presentation to Suzanne Gallagher on behalf of the staff of Scoil Cholmcille, Kilmacrennan.
John Devenney is congratulated by his brother, Joe Devenney.
Cllr. Michael McBride, a former pupil of Scoil Cholmcille, Kilmacrennan who acted as MC for the event.
John Devenney, retiring principal of Scoil Cholmcille, Kilmacrennan, with Nancy MacGabhann who was principal when John came to work in the school.
On that note….John Devenney, principal and teacher Suzanne Gallagher got a big send off to mark their retirements from the pupils of Scoil Cholmcille, Kilmacrennan, at a special event in the school on Thursday. Presentations were made on behalf of the staff, Board of Management and the Scoil Cholmcille Parents’ Association. PIcture: Declan Doherty.
