We were delighted to finally celebrate the longstanding careers of esteemed staff members who retired during the pandemic. A wonderful evening of food, wine and music was arranged by the outstanding host and MC for the evening, Cormac UaBruadair; with a guest list made up of many past and current KH staff.
It was a celebration of friendship, collegiality and community, with our retirees honoured in speeches from their colleagues, which made for much joy and laughter, accompanied by a few tears, as we reminisced on times past.
Kay Boland
2005-2020
Housekeeper
Honoured by Cormac UaBruadair
When Kay moved to KH in 2005, it was the start of her second career having managed a large cleaning and maintenance department in St James’s Hospital. Her work could be so diverse, from fixing curtains in the dorms to hemming skirts for the girls a wonderful support to students and staff. Kay was more than a Housekeeper; she would help the girls get organised for the Christmas dinner or iron the boys shirts and help them with their ties.
She was there every morning to kickstart the day and ensure the school was clean, organised and open for both students and staff alike. Kay was always one to rise to a challenge and take on anything that was required. She ran a tight ship for which we are very grateful.
Detta Brennan
1983-2021
Teacher of Art
Honoured by Catriona Murphy
An integral part of KH since 1983, Detta worked tirelessly to raise the profile of the Art in school. In doing so, the number of students taking art doubled. No mean feat! Her passion and respect for the subject is visible both inside and outside the classroom. Not only is Detta a talented artist herself, but she also curated the contemporary Irish art which dons the walls throughout the campus.
Detta has taught and supported many students, whose work sits alongside leading Irish artists’ paintings and prints, and who have rewarded her in turn by going on to pursue careers in art and design. She organised and curated exhibitions for the school’s 350 celebrations and the 1916 commemoration. Her enthusiasm and joie de vivre will be truly missed.
Andrew Deacon
1985-2020
Teacher of English
Honoured by John Aiken
Andrew was highly regarded as a teacher of English, History and as a boarding house person. He taught a diverse range of pupils in KH, including actors, Eurovision contestants, and a Taoiseach. Every class had life in it and was particular to the young people in front of him; tailored to them, and not them tailored to it. He was a voice of trust, reason, wisdom, sanity, and depth in the school.
Andrew has also contributed enormously to the extra-curricular life of the school – not least as a director of plays and producer of poetry. He coached rugby for many years as well as cricket, which was one of his many passions.
Pat McCartan
1983-2021
Maintenance
Honoured by Peter Wilson
Pat walked into the school on 11 April 1983 as a baby-faced 26-year-old. For nearly 40 years we have all admired Pat’s patience and good humour as he was always on hand to fix a broken locker, mend a pipe, tend to a fire alarm on a daily or weekly basis.
There is probably not a student or a member of staff who won’t remember Pat with great fondness for all he did to help put things right, with his mayonnaise bucket, screw gun and hammer always at the ready.
Dr. Robert Nelson
1992-2020
Medical Officer
Honoured by Kathy Sutton & Ros Garrett
Robert started working at KH in 1992. His father, Robin, affectionately known to us as Papa Doc, was retiring and Robert as his son and partner of his GP practice in Castleknock was just the man for the job.
When Robert was a medical student he came to school with his father to deal with a case of hyperventilation and was hooked. We were delighted when he agreed to do suturing in the school, reducing long visits to A&E and much less stress on the pupils. His medical knowledge is phenomenal and he has taught us a huge amount over the years.
Paddy O’Shea
1994-2022
Teacher of Design & Communication Graphics
Honoured by Cormac UaBruadair
Being a single-person department meant that everything from planning to writing up schemes of work to adapting to digitisation fell to Paddy. His talents weren’t just limited to the classroom. He’s also a prize-winning photographer and a skilled craftsman. His attention to detail as a craftsman and carpenter is amazing. A school set design with a proper reinforced A- frame roof — where else would you get it?
Paddy’s creativity shone through as an interior designer with a good eye for colour, spatial awareness, and cabinet making. Every year he gave over and above what was expected to ensure the students did their best.
Helen Roycroft
1982-2020
Director of Chapel Music and Head of Music
Helen always had a wonderful ability to share a deep friendship with her individual students so that they found solace in their lessons. She selflessly spent lunchtimes, before and after school, giving up her own time to ensure every student was ready for, Choral performances, Musicals, Competitions or Exams.
Helen was musical director for numerous shows over the years; Grease, Hairspray, Does Your Mother Know, and the 350 Gala Concert. Her immense talent, breadth of knowledge, and creativity came to the fore, spending hours choosing, editing, and arranging music to fit each scene and singer. Thank you, Helen, for your inspiration and motivation.
Graham Walsh
1973-2020
Teacher of Music
Honoured by Miriam Wright
Graham was organist and director of Chapel music from 1973 to 1988 and a long-serving teacher in the Music department. His love for the organ was palpable and his knowledge of how to use it was second to none. It is rare to find such a well-rounded musical talent as Graham’s and KH was blessed that he gave almost 50 years of devoted service to both the school and its students.
An ability not only to accompany the most demanding pieces at sight but also to paper over judiciously any mistakes made by students. Only a true genius on the piano can do this successfully, without being noticed.
