Retirement of Esther Reddy from St Brigid's NS Ballysax

Esther with members of the Parent Teacher Association, Grace Noud and Denise Moppett. Photos by Pat Foley.

In Fifth Class in primary school in Kilcullen, Esther Reddy knew what she wanted to be, writes Brian Byrne. Inspired by one of her then teachers, Maurice O’Mahoney, she decided she wanted to do what he was doing. Some years later, having completed her second level, and following that with teacher training at Froebel College, she got her first teaching job in Brownstown NS Ballysax.

She has just retired as Principal of that same school, now St Brigid’s NS Ballysax, after 35 years of what her colleague Ciara White described as “fostering an environment where learning is cherished, creativity is encouraged, and each individual’s potential is nurtured.”

Her grandmother Sabina O’Grady, her aunt Sr Margaret O’Grady, and two of her cousins — all teachers themselves — would totally understand.

From that first posting in Ballysax, Esther taught in nearby Suncroft, Ballyshannon, and Two Mile House as a shared Learning Support teacher. Then she moved to Scoil Bhride in Athgarvan, forging many friendships with colleagues before taking an opportunity of Principal in St Joseph’s NS Halverstown. After that she was Principal at Brannoxtown NS, helping with the school building expansion there. Finally, in one of those circularities of life, she became managerial Principal back in Ballysax.

After a mass in St Brigid’s Church Suncroft to mark the occasion, celebrated by Fr Barry Larkin, a reception in the school hall heard many tributes to Esther. Elizabeth Smith of the School Board of Management thanked her for a ‘remarkable service’ and for being such an integral part of the school community. “Your legacy will live in the hearts and minds of the students, past and present, and of the staff and parents,” she said.

For those staff, Ciara White noted that Esther had provided something for each and every child in the school. “She knew each one of the children by name, and took the time to hear their stories, their news and their dreams,” she said, wishing Esther a retirement “filled with joy, relaxation and new adventures.”

A former pupil of Esther’s and now member of the school’s Parent Teacher Association, Denise Moppett, spoke of the fond memories of her own time as a pupil in Brownstown NS.

Thanking all who had helped to make the day, Esther said that without everyone who had worked together to make St Brigid’s NS Ballysax the school it is now, “there would be no school." Likening it to a chair with four legs, she thanked the past and present Boards of Management, Parent Teacher Association, colleagues and parents. “The children of Ballysax are in great hands,” she finished.

In retirement, Esther will have the chance to follow other interests and continue her community involvements in the Kilcullen which has always been such an important part of her life. One of these interests has long been Kilcullen Drama Group where, by another of those circularities of life, she has from time to time trod the stage boards with that first inspiring teacher, Maurice O'Mahoney.  

Esther with her daughters, Aisling and Bróna.

Esther with her son, Jack.

Esther with Elizabeth Smith.

Esther and Shauna Fleming.

Ciara White.

Esther with her husband, Joe Dooley.

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