By Michelle Crean

Friday was a day of very mixed emotions for retiring school principal Proinsias Mac Curtain as the school community said a fond farewell.

A fond farewell at Gaelscoil Faithleann for Principal Proinsias Mac Curtain who is presented with a cake from new Principal Lisa Ní Iarlaithe and pupils at the school on Friday as he steps down as principal after 33 years. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Present principals unite at Gaelscoil Faithleann to celebrate with Principal Proinsias Mac Curtain on his retirement on Friday. Back row l-r: Colm Ó Súilleabháin (St Oliver’s NS) Paul Horan (Holy Family NS Rathmore) Mary Brosnan (The Mon) Brian O'Sullivan (Scoil Bhride Loreto) Alison Coffey (Loughquittane NS) Maria Breen (Tiernaboul NS) and Conor Gleeson (Lissivigeen NS). Front row l-r: Proinsias Mac Curtain (Gaelscoil Faithleann) and Lisa Ni Iarlaithe (Gaelscoil Faithleann). Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Three cheers from all 245 pupils at Gaelscoil Faithleann for Principal Proinsias Mac Curtain (centre) as he retires from the school after 33 years. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Sam Maguire makes a special appearance at the Great Southern Killarney where staff from Gaelscoil Faithleann gathered for the retirement of principal Proinsias Mac Curtain after 33 years’ service. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

A musical departure at Gaelscoil Faithleann as Principal Proinsias Mac Curtain (right) retires after 33 years. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Past and present pupil mother and daughter Aisling (left) and Alanna Collins (right) pictured with Principal Proinsias Mac Curtain at Gaelscoil Faithleann on Friday for his retirement celebrations at the school. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Pictured with his family Principal Proinsias Mac Curtain (centre) retires from Gaelscoil Faithleann after 33 years. From l-r were: Cormac Meadhbh Karen and Ruadhán. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

A musical affair as Principal Proinsias Mac Curtain (seated centre) retires from Gaelscoil Faithleann after 33 years. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

He got a wonderful send off in Gaelscoil Faithleann on Friday morning last with cake, music, speeches and some tears.

All the children sat in the hall and sang some traditional Irish songs inspired by the John Spillane collection. His wife Karen and children Ruadhán, Meadhbh, and Cormac, were guests of honour.

Local principals including Colm Ó Súilleabháin from St Oliver’s NS, Paul Horan from Holy Family NS Rathmore, Mary Brosnan from The Mon, Brian O'Sullivan from Scoil Bhride Loreto, Alison Coffey of Loughquittane NS, Maria Breen, Tiernaboul NS, and Conor Gleeson from Lissivigeen NS, attended to say farewell to a great friend.

"Local musicians who play with Proinsias on a regular basis turned up and this was a surprise," his colleague Lisa Ní Iarlaithe told the Killarney Advertiser.

"The school staff and Seán Ó Luanaigh, the Chair of the Board of Management, were all in attendance too."

Every child in the school drew a portrait of their príomhoide and they were all hung in the hall as well as some photos of Proinsias from when he was a small school boy right up to the present day.

"He really enjoyed looking at these surprises on the day. The children presented him with a beautiful piece of slate with a poem close to his heart, a huge card signed by all the children and staff and a cake with the school crest and a feadóg mhór and music notes."

Later that evening the Board of Management treated Proinsias to an evening in the Great Southern Killarney.

"It was a bittersweet occasion," Lisa, who is taking over as principal of the school, added.