In memory of Master Con O’Donovan (principal teacher of Bishop Galvin Central School from 1979 to 2001),
Today, we pause as a school and parish community to remember a truly remarkable man – a former principal, who devoted over two decades of service to Bishop Galvin Central School.
For 22 years, Con O’Donovan was a steady presence at the school gates each morning, a voice of encouragement in the corridors, and a guiding hand in the lives of countless young people across our parish. His commitment to education was unwavering. He believed that every child deserved opportunity, support and the chance to discover their strengths.
Con gave generously of his time to developing the GAA skills of our students. He coached many students with fairness, pride and passion. He taught teamwork and discipline, and instilled resilience and respect – lessons that reached far beyond football, hurling and camoige. For many young people, those training sessions built confidence, friendships, and memories that will last a lifetime.
He understood that education was about forming the whole person – mind, body and spirit. Whether in the classroom or on the pitch, Con encouraged his students to strive for their best.
The impact of 22 years of leadership cannot be measured easily. It can be seen in the generations of past pupils who carry his lessons with them into adulthood. It can be felt in the strong sense of community that continues to define our school and parish.
We are deeply grateful for Con’s dedication, vision, and care for the young people entrusted to him. His influence continues to shape our community to this day and he will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.
We offer our condolences to his family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
We share Con’s own recollection of his appointment and years working in the school.
Reminiscences of Con O’Donovan
Principal of Bishop Galvin Central School Newcestown
1979- 2001
It was the summer of 1979, and I had spent the previous six years as Principal of a five-teacher school in the historic parish of Bannow in south Co. Wexford. Bannow Bay was the first port of call for the Normans when they invaded Ireland in 1169, and many Norman names are still prevalent in the community. Mary, myself and our four young children were living in our newly built home and were very satisfied with our lot. Incidentally, I bought the half acre site from my then Parish Priest, Fr. Jeremiah Anglim for £250, built a four bedroomed bungalow for £6500 and the day we moved into the house, he put £200 into my hand in recognition of the voluntary work I was doing with the youth of the parish. It was a generous gesture from a saintly man who had little interest in material things.
Then, one day, I received a letter from my mother and included with the letter, was an advertisement cut from The Cork Examiner.
‘‘Principal Teacher wanted for Newcestown Central School’’
My mother was aware that I was anxious to return to West Cork at some stage and so I decided to strike while the iron was hot. I informed the recently appointed Parish Priest Fr Harry Sinnott of my intentions and asked him for a reference which he duly supplied. I put the reference in an envelope together with an old inspector’s report and posted them off, more in hope than expectation, to the Parochial House, Newcestown. Shortly afterwards I received a reply from Fr. Patrick Cahalane P.P., and I was asked to attend the school for interview.
On the day of the interview a funny thing happened, and I still feel embarrassed whenever I recall the incident. I was driving from the Doctor’s Cross to the school when I got stuck behind a tractor for what seemed like a mile, with little chance of passing out. Eventually I passed the tractor at Farranthomas Church and in a fit of pique, I stopped my car in the middle of the road so that the tractor then couldn’t pass me. After about twenty seconds I drove off hoping the other driver had learnt a lesson. I still wonder who that mystery driver was! I eventually arrived at the school where I was interviewed by Fr. Cahalane P.P., Moss O’Farrell, Principal Kilmoman N.S. and Monsignor O’Sullivan from Bandon. I think I wore a pioneer pin on my lapel. When that ordeal was over, I sat into my car and drove home to Wexford to await my fate.
Soon the waiting was over when I received a letter from Fr. Cahalane, dated 26th July 1979,(which I still have in my possession), congratulating me on my appointment as Principal and praying God’s blessings for a long and fruitful role in my new position. I also received a congratulatory letter from my predecessor, Master Eoghan O’Sullivan, and he kindly informed me that he had a house for rent in Mawbeg which I gratefully accepted. The next few weeks were hectic as there was so much to be done before we departed. We said our goodbyes to our many dear friends, attended a few functions, did some packing and got the house ready for sale. Eventually the day for departure dawned and our good friend Nick Hayes arrived with his covered lorry. When we had completed the loading I locked the doors for the last time, shed a few tears and we headed for West Cork to begin the next chapter in our lives.
I left home early on Monday 3rd September 1979 and drove to the school accompanied by my 5-year-old daughter Sinéad, who was also on her own voyage of discovery. I think both of us were feeling rather apprehensive as we approached the school. However, my anxiety soon dissipated as I was warmly welcomed by the other members of staff, viz., Breda O’Dwyer, Mary Canty (Newcestown), Mary Kiely, Mary Canty (Farnivane) and two young, fresh-faced teachers, Donie Keane and Maura O’Sullivan. When the introductions were complete it was time to meet my new Sixth Class, a class of 37 boys and girls, I can still remember some of those shiny, innocent faces. I wonder what their first impressions were of this blow-in from Wexford, who was replacing a legend. Over the next few months, I familiarised myself with my new surrounds and gradually I was able to put names on faces.
Straight away, we decided to purchase a new kettle and teapot and twice a day we traipsed into our poky staffroom for some light refreshments and to share some gossip. However, our discussions became much more animated whenever Fr. Cahalane joined us for a cuppa. I also joined our local G.A.A. Club, our Badminton and Bowling clubs. This is the best and quickest way of making new friends. Incidentally, the club secretary, Jimmy O’Mahony knew of my past indiscretion. I had to make a general confession and was suspended for six months by the Cork County Board. Jimmy advised me to appeal the severity of the sentence, and it was reduced to three months at a subsequent meeting.
Even though the school was only eight years old, it was quite evident that it had many structural defects including a leaking roof, inadequate toilet facilities and a tiled corridor which was quite lethal whenever the tiles were wet. Twelve years elapsed before the Board of Management decided in 1991 to rectify these defects and this work proceeded without the sanction of the Department of Education. A new group was formed to supervise the whole operation which eventually led to the official blessing by Bishop John Buckley on the 5th of June 1992, which coincided with our 21st Anniversary celebrations.
Many major improvements and additions have been made since then under the stewardship of my successor Donie Keane and that good work is continuing under the guidance of the current Principal, Dorothy O’Donovan. A detailed account of these improvements will be given elsewhere but suffice to say that all of this work could not have been undertaken without the extraordinary generosity of the people of our parish. It surely indicates the esteem in which they hold their parish school and the sacrifices they are prepared to make to ensure that their children receive the best possible education in a thoroughly modern setting.
There are many special days in the life of a child and the day they receive the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Confirmation are memorable days indeed, not only for the children themselves but for the whole community and the entire parish. There is always great excitement and lots of colour on First Communion Day and hundreds congregate at the church to join in the celebrations and to congratulate their loved ones. The flags and buntings add to the occasion.
There is always a bit of tension in the air when the bishop visits the school to examine the pupils for Confirmation, but things are much more civilised now than when I was a schoolboy. Back then, there were no allowances made for the weaker children, and it must have been so embarrassing for the children and their parents when they were failed by people who should have known better. Imagine a child today being asked the following question, “What is Presumption?” and then spouting out the answer…
“Presumption is a foolish expectation of salvation without making the necessary effort to achieve it”.
We are fortunate indeed that we have teachers who are willing to sacrifice so much of their spare time in preparing the children for their big day. The whole community is indebted to them for their extraordinary efforts. The success of our underage teams has also brought great joy to the parish but again this success could not be achieved without a helping hand from so many. We are truly blessed to have so many volunteers. Of course, the success of our underage teams has contributed enormously to the success of our Senior Football, Hurling and Camogie teams and the whole parish rejoices in their successes.
It is my undoubted belief that the single greatest development in our parish during the last century was the opening of our Central School. True during that time, there have been many extraordinary inventions, and these have benefited us greatly in our daily lives. Rural electrification in the 1950s was a seminal development for all rural dwellers and removed much of the drudgery from their ordinary daily lives. But the parish is about its people, and the Central School has united the parish that few people could have envisaged prior to its opening in 1971. Back then when children assembled for the reception of The Sacraments or for playing matches, they were like a bunch of strangers who had come from four min parishes. All that has changed, utterly changed, because now the children are all educated together, make friends for life and the parents too, get to know each other through meeting at the school, at matches and at other social outings. We are as the song says, “A parish once again”. The children receive an excellent education and this is due to the dedication and enthusiasm of the teachers, the wonderful co-operation of the parents and the calibre of the pupils who come through our doors every day.
As we celebrate our Golden Jubilee, let us salute the men and women who had a vision for the future and worked assiduously to accomplish their aim. We remember especially, Fr. John Forde who had the vision and enthusiasm to initiate the project. The O’Mahony family had the extraordinary generosity to provide a fantastic site and the people who saw the potential of this project and typical of our people, they have by their actions, made it an outstanding success. Let us remember too, the teachers who have laboured here and the past pupils who studied here and have gone to meet their Maker.
A special word of thanks to all the members of Boards of Management who gave of their time freely, to Fr. Pat Cahalane P.P. and Fr Liam O’Mahony P.P. who gave us their unstinting support at all times. They were regular and welcomed visitors to our school and were deeply appreciative of the work being done especially in the preparation of the children for the Sacraments. No doubt their successors Fr Finbarr Crowley and our current P.P. Fr Bernard are equally appreciative of the sterling work being done. As for me, I’m very fortunate indeed to have worked with so many talented people and I feel honoured and privileged to have been part of a great team. Not once in 22 years, did I hear an uncivil word from any teacher. Thanks also to the parents for their understanding, co-operation and kindness and to my many past pupils for being a credit to themselves, their families and their communities.
How fitting that our school is named after a local hero, Bishop Galvin, a saintly man who sacrificed so much during his life and worked tirelessly for the betterment of others. I’m sure he would be proud of what has been achieved and let us hope and pray that he continues to watch over and protect all those who walk through the gates every morn.
Finally, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the people of the parish, from all quarters of the parish who made our family so welcome when we arrived here in 1979. A special thanks to the O’Sullivan family for providing us with an ideal site for our much-cherished home. We are truly blessed to have lived in such a wonderful, welcoming community, having kind neighbours and all of us, especially Mary, having so many kind and caring friends.
Mile buíochas do chách agus guím gach rath Dé ar na múinteoirí, na tuismitheoirí agus ar na daltaí ins na caoga bliain atá amach romhainn.
Le buíochas agus meas mór,
Conchúr Ó Donnabháin.