Kilcullen Diary: Emotional celebration for Carmel Brown retirement

Carmel Brown with children of the St Joseph's school choir.

There's nothing more sweet than a children's school choir singing at their best for someone who has been a part of their young lives through their early school-going years, writes Brian Byrne. And when there's a line in one of the songs saying there's 'a time to say goodbye', that's when a lump comes to the throat.

For Carmel Brown, retiring from St Joseph's National School as Deputy Principal, the school she joined in 2001, last evening's mass in Gormanstown Church to mark the occasion was clearly an emotional event, indeed as it was for all present. The mass was celebrated by Fr Gary Darby, assisted by his predecessor Fr Niall Mackey making a return to Kilcullen parish for the occasion.

The large contingent of well-wishers were welcomed by St Joseph's Principal Áine Cullen, who singled out Carmel Brown's sense of fun and her kind and supportive nature as characteristics which allowed her to always connect with her pupils in the 23 years she had spent at the school. "She is a dedicated teacher, and she has made such an enormous difference in the lives of all the children she has taught over the years," she said.

Among those present were Carmel's husband Barrie and their daughters Katie and Niamh. Best wishes were sent from their son Michael in Australia and other daughter Ciara who is working in Denmark.

The attendance also included colleagues and friends, members of the St Joseph's Board of Management, both past and present, as well as former Principals Marion Sherlock and David Dempsey. Congratulations for her retirement were also sent by former principals Mary O'Mahony and Esther Reddy, who were unable to attend.

In addition to the choir, music and song was provided by Enda Byrne, a former pupil at St Joseph's and one of a number of former charges of Carmel's who had come to celebrate the event.

Fr Gary welcomed everybody to the mass for a person who has above all else a 'generosity of spirit' that her community should be thankful for. "I have personally enjoyed my two years of working with Carmel in the school," he said. "I know she is held in very high esteem, and that she has played a pivotal role in the development of St Joseph's." Adding that her work there 'had been more than a job' for her, he expressed the community's thanks for her dedication, touching so many lives over the years with the spirit of Christian fellowship and making a real, significant difference.

For her part, Carmel said she felt 'rather overwhelmed' at seeing so many faces, from the present and many from the past. She thanked everybody for their good wishes, for their friendship through the years, and recalled some of the highlights of her career at St Joseph's and the people she had worked with. That previously mentioned sense of fun came out in many of those recollections. She thanked the parents and guardians of the pupils for entrusting the school community with their children, and the members of the successive Boards of Management for their support. And for the children themselves she had some special words.

"You are the heart and soul of St Joseph's," she said. "Without you, the school would be just a building, bricks and mortar. I need to tell you just how wonderful you all are, and how much each and every one of you means to me, and indeed to every member of staff. Each one of you brings something special to our school community, making it a caring, fun and meaningful place in which to learn and to grow. Your enthusiasm and curiosity brighten our classrooms every day. It's a real joy to see how you support and care for one another, creating an inclusive environment for everyone. Our school is a special place because of you, boys and girls. I want to thank you for making my job so fulfilling, and for teaching me as much as I have taught you."

The evening concluded with a number of presentations ... and then it was time to mingle, get personal photographs, and remember.