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Ursula prepares for retirement after 42 years at The Mercy
Most of us will chose one or even two career paths in some shape or form throughout our lives, exploring different avenues and sometimes in opposite directions.
42 years of dedication to any one establishment, to any one community, requires a huge level of commitment, devotion and loyalty. My lens and I visited many of our national schools over the past week so I seized the opportunity to revisit Holy Cross Mercy National School to chat to principal Ursula Coffey ahead of her retirement.
“I attended Carysfort College in Dublin after graduating from Coláiste Íde in Dingle," Ursula explained.
"From Gneevguilla, Dublin was the most direct route to becoming a teacher. From Rathmore train station, direct to Dublin, it was the simplest route for my mother, who had just started to drive, shortly after my dad passed away when I was just 15. Past principal Sr Carmel (RIP) was a sister of my father's. She was principal at The Mercy from the early '80s until 1991 where Sr Regina took over until 2005. I was the eldest of four siblings and we all went to college in Dublin.
"There are no two days the same in many lines of work Marie but education is forever changing and evolving. Together with Catriona Behan and Catherine Mangan, who were hugely innovative with technology, we began an Erasmus project visiting Ylitornio, Finland, just half an hour away from the Arctic Circle, and frequented Birmingham regularly, where Apple devices changed our methods of teaching forever. Technology was used to differentiate for all needs and gave the ability to be creative making the way forward in communication so relevant. 2007/08 gave way for a massive change in reading and writing and thank God for it as it has seriously benefited every child. Literacy is enormously important for every subject but hugely for maths. Personally I felt there was too much emphasis on paperwork. The children are always and ever the centre of every decision we made at The Mercy NS. I spent 25 years as a teacher, dominantly Sixth Class girls, before becoming principal for a further 17 years,” she said.
PROUDEST MOMENT
“What has been your proudest moment at The Mercy Ursula?" I asked. I completely caught her on the hop. “There have been many Marie, but daily it brings me great joy to see happy children learning. It doesn’t matter what country you come from, we are inclusive and encourage creativity. We have a proud catholic heritage with the nuns since 1844 but here at The Mercy we welcome all religions and nationalities. I am grateful to have a superb team with over 50 staff, excluding the pre-school, which was originally set up by the nuns in the early '80s to facilitate children who could not attend private pre-schools. They were strong women who saw the need. We have also been blessed with excellent Board of Management teams along the way, who have offered immense support and guidance,” Ursula replied.
Ursula was being modest. She herself was a strong woman who saw the need. With prior knowledge, I began to poke a little more.
“A friend of mine works at your Autism Unit Ursula. I visited once with my lens - most impressive. That was built under your reign was it?” I asked.
“It was built in 2016 with four classes, with one purpose built room. Recently we were granted €4.2 million for a centre of excellence purpose built ASD Unit to up our expertise in that area. The nuns have gifted us the land at the back of the school and we are hopeful to put in an astro turf play area too but we will have to see how the build goes first. The department of education have done a lot in the upkeep of the school but if I won the Lotto in the morning we need a new hall!" Ursula joked. Indeed a strong woman who saw the need I thought, and what a legacy to leave behind.
RETIREMENT
“How do you feel about retirement Ursula,” I asked.
“I don’t like to talk about it much. My life has been The Mercy. My children went to school here and I taught my youngest, Jennifer, in Sixth Class. I remember taking a notion that she would ask me to be her sponsor for her confirmation to which she replied "mum, you will be too busy with all the other children". I had plans to retire a few years ago as my husband Kieran retired as principal from Fossa NS over 10 years ago but when COVID hit, how could I leave such mayhem? There was more work than ever to be done in setting up an education system that worked for the children at home. I had never been so thankful that we had always had the wheels of technology in motion here at The Mercy. The majority of the children were so resilient and bounced back in the gates of the school as if it never happened. This made me very happy."
“Have you any plans for your retirement,” I asked Ursula.
“My son Niall lives in Vancouver and is getting married to his fiancee Megan in July of next year, so we are really looking forward to that,” Ursula said.
“And where are your other children,” I asked. “Jennifer is married to Lee in Dublin and she works as a medical scientist in Temple Street. My son Fintan is a Garda in Macroom and is married to Laura and they have two girls, Sophie and Stella. My husband Kieran works two days per week still with the diocese and we look forward to celebrating our Ruby wedding anniversary next March, so there’s lots to look forward to Marie.”
It was soon photo time which Ursula considered the ‘worst part’. We made our way to vice principal Anne Lucey’s room, who has also served a lengthy time of 36 years at The Mercy. On the way she told me about how Ursula set up Accord in Killarney, Ireland's leading nationwide agency supporting marriages and relationships, which Ursula had forgotten to mention. This didn’t surprise me at all. I was also informed of her famous brownies, a must at Board of Management meetings, especially enjoyed by Fr Niall Howard.
Opting for accompaniment in her retirement portrait, Ursula is pictured with present teachers at The Mercy, Alice O’Donnell Davern and Frances Arthur, all who began their first day in Junior Infants at the school on September 1 1980, the same day Ursula began her lengthy teaching career in our community, educating all at Holy Cross Mercy NS for the past 42 years.
Thank you for having me Ursula, the pleasure was mine entirely.
New summer film festival launches at Anam Centre
A new summer film festival has been launched at the Anam Cultural Centre in Killarney, featuring a series of works by local filmmaker Charlie O’Brien. The week-long event, titled Anam Echoes, runs from Sunday July 12 to Friday July 17.
The programme brings together documentaries, traditional music, and guest conversations, with a recurring thread of Irish connections to Latin America running through the week.
The festival opens on July 12 and July 13 with a screening of The Green Fields of Cuba, followed by a live concert with Argentine uilleann piper Pamela Schweblin. On July 14, the venue will screen The Trackless Wild, Song of a Wandering Tip, a documentary exploring the legacy of a 19th-century Irish ballad writer in Argentina, followed by a director’s Q&A.
On July 15, doors open at 8:30pm for a short portrait of the late fiddle player Eamon Flynn titled A Trip to Mountcollins, which will be followed by a traditional music session with Tim Browne and Charlie O’Brien. Musicians gain free entry to this session.
On July 16, in collaboration with the Kerry International Film Festival, there will be a screening of The Killarney Echo alongside a panel discussion on film production, costume, and sound with costume supervisor Ciara O’Connor, sound engineer Tony O’Flaherty, and Charlie O’Brien.
The series concludes on July 17 with A Captain Unafraid, a film charting the life of 19th-century sailor and rebel Johnny O’Brien, followed by a final director’s Q&A.
Doors open at 7:30pm each night, and tickets can be booked at charlieobrien.net/anam-echoes-film-series.
Felicity’s Summer in Killarney — Chapter 3
A new weekly series from Killarney Advertiser’s Jess Jukes
Jess Jukes, a member of the advertising department at the Killarney Advertiser, is also a budding writer. Each week, we will bring you her serialized novella following the adventures of Felicity’s summer in Killarney.
Felicity messaged Jack the following morning.
Hi, I hope you’re feeling better. I heard there was a woman with a new ice cream truck up in Tiernaboul. Do you want to go get your Dad’s ice cream truck back?
She made her toast and sat. Jack messaged back before she had finished her tea.
I’ll meet you at Daly’s, we can walk up together.
Felicity set out for the shop not long after. A dreary sky hung above her, a complete contrast to the day before. It wasn’t long before Jack came around the corner. He was no longer in his ice cream uniform, but in casual jeans and a flannel. He parked his bicycle and leant against the wall next to her.
“What’s this about my Da’s truck being up Tiernaboul?”
Felicity pushed off the wall. “I’ll tell you on our way up.” She told him everything. Jack mentioned how his Da had been quiet and sad when he and Auntie Sheila called to tell him about truck being stolen. He had been subdued still when he had picked Jack up and they went to the garda station to report the theft.
The two trailed through each and every estate, looking for the distinctive bright colours of the ice cream truck. They had been walking for a good half hour when they finally found it.
Jack came to a stop. “Well, you were right about the truck … but why did the woman steal it in the first place?”
That was the question. “Come on, let’s go round the corner and call the gardaí before anyone realises they’ve left the keys outside.”
Felicity and Jack backtracked quickly, and Felicity called in an anonymous tip to the garda station. She put on a nasally voice, saying, “I saw an ice cream truck parked in the driveway of my neighbour, and now I know her I do, and she doesn’t own an ice cream truck. She doesn’t have any permit for that, and I don’t want her trawling up and down the street at all hours trying to sell merchandise without a licence.”
She continued her ramble until the poor sergeant on the other end of the phone sighed in resignation. He promised to send somebody up to investigate and Felicity hung up, triumphant.
Jack was almost crying with laugher. “Jeez Felicity, you should audition for the Four Esquires.”
It wasn’t long before she joined in his laughter. When they heard the garda car approaching, Felicity and Jack watched until the garda knocked on the door of the house. Only then they started back towards home, assured that the truck would be recognised.
Celebration
Sure enough, Jack’s Da Trevor had been delighted to get his ice cream truck back. He had been thankful to Auntie Sheila and Felicity for helping Jack when the truck was first stolen, and insisted on going out for a meal to celebrate its swift return.
The group found themselves in The Laurels, food in front of them, laughter and drinks flowing. Auntie Sheila was discussing the upcoming festival over the weekend with Jack’s mother, and Trevor was telling Jack the story of how he first brought his ice cream truck for what must be the millionth time.
Felicity found herself watching on with a content feeling. Not much better than a full stomach and good company.
As she was looking around the bar lazily, the girl paused. On the wall there was a framed Killarney Advertiser clipping. She got up and wandered over to for a better look.
There was an old man sitting at the bar underneath the clipping, a pint in hand. “You see the group that went up Carrauntoohil for charity last month? The lady in the middle, the one in yellow, she’s the daughter of the fella behind the bar.”
Depicted next to the article was in fact a group photograph full of people. ‘Walking Society Supports Charity atop Our Tallest Peak’ was splayed across the paper in bold lettering.
“Hm .. I’ve never seen it, Carrauntoohil.”
The man barked a laugh. “Course you have! You’re looking at the ‘Reeks all the time, aren’t ya lass? Nearly everything over the lake are the Reeks.”
Felicity turned towards him fully. “People go up it often then?”
The old man laughed again. “Nearly every day I’d wager. People go up in the sun and the rain, even when they shouldn’t. You know …” he leaned in closer as if to share a secret, “people die, up on that there mountain, every year. You gotta respect the mountains. They were here before we were, and they’ll be here long after we’re gone.” He coughed, and took a sip of his pint.
They spoke idly about the good food and the live musicians that were setting up. As the first notes of music began to waft on the air, Felicity bid the old man farewell and returned to her party.
Auntie Sheila moved over to free up Felicity’s seat again as she returned. “You met Seamus then?” she giggled, tipsy. “ He’s a dote, no one sweeter, I swear. You know, he’s been a regular in this bar ever since your mother and I were your age. Hasn’t changed a bit.” She hiccupped, and both Sheila and Jack’s mother started giggling.
Felicity ignored the women, now leaning on each other and saying things in funny voices whilst Trevor looked on with a smile on his face.
“Jack?” she asked conspiratorially. He turned to her, humming to show she had his attention. “Do you like mountains?”
Tune in next week to see what happens next
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