A Reflection on our Retiring Deputy Principal - a true giant of teaching in the Muslim National School.

On Friday next the children will gather in the school hall to bid farewell to our retiring deputy principal, Mr.Sean McCarthy. Sean leaves behind a legacy of dedication and an unwavering commitment to the the Muslim National School Community.

As a school community, we pause not just to say goodbye to Sean, but to celebrate, honour, and express our deepest gratitude to a man who has been so much more than a Deputy Principal. He has been a mentor, a leader, a steadfast advocate for every child, and above all, a dear friend. Mr. Sean McCarthy, your 29 remarkable years at the Muslim National School have left an indelible mark on all of us - children, colleagues, and families alike. As we reflect on your long teaching career, we can only be filled with a profound sense of appreciation for all that you have given to this school.  

Your story in education began long before you walked through our doors.It started with a passion for learning, a love for the Irish language, and an unshakable belief in the power of teaching to transform lives. From 1981 to 1984, you immersed yourself in the study of Education and Gaeilge at Mary Immaculate College of Education in Limerick, learning under the guidance of such esteemed Gaeilge lecturers as Una Nic Einrí, a fellow West Limerick native. Those formative years were steeped in Irish culture, music, and tradition, and you embraced them with the same energy and enthusiasm, that would later define your teaching career.  

Even then, it was clear that you were destined to be an exceptional teacher. A champion Irish dancer, you carried the rhythm of this heritage into your teaching, infusing every lesson with energy and warmth. 

After graduating, you embarked on an adventure which was unusual at that time in Ireland but which  would go on to shape the rest of your career - teaching in the Middle East. It was there that you honed your expertise in the methodologies of teaching English as an Additional Language (EAL), a skill that would later become one of your greatest gifts to our school. When you returned to Ireland and joined the Muslim National School, you brought with you not just knowledge, but a deep understanding of the challenges faced by students adapting to a new language and culture. Your leadership in EAL transformed our school into a school of excellence.

This has ensured that every child, regardless of background, had the language tools they needed to succeed.  

You began your journey here in 1996 as a mainstream class teacher, but it wasn’t long before your true calling became clear. For over 25 years, you led our Learning Support department with a rare combination of expertise and patience. What started small has grown into a team of 11 dedicated teachers—all inspired by your vision, work ethic but above all your unwavering belief that every child deserves the chance to shine.  

Your classroom was never just a room-it was a place where struggling students found confidence, where laughter and learning went hand in hand, and where no challenge was too great to overcome. You had a unique ability to see potential where others saw difficulty, to find strengths where others saw limitations. When a child struggled, you were their fiercest advocate, ensuring they received the assessments, resources, and support they needed. Because of you, countless students left our school not just literate and numerate, but believing in themselves because you believed in them first.  

But your impact extended far beyond academics. You were a pillar of strength to myself and fellow former principals, a voice of reason, and a source of comfort in times of difficulty. You faced personal challenges, losses of dear friends and a health struggle with a quiet resilience that inspired us all. Even in the toughest moments, you returned to school with the same positive spirit and commitment to the children who relied on you. That strength, that selflessness, is the mark of a truly remarkable teacher.

Beyond your professional achievements, what we will remember most is the kindness in your heart, the wisdom in your words, and your integrity. You treated every child , parent and  colleague, with dignity and respect. 

And now, as you step into this well-deserved retirement, we want you to know that your legacy in this school is immeasurable. The lives you’ve shaped, the children you've helped escape the tyranny of illiteracy and innumeracy are all part of a story that will continue long after you depart. You have given the Muslim School Community so much and though the school will miss your presence dearly, we take comfort in knowing that the values you instilled in us will remain.  

Sean, as you close this chapter and begin the next, may your days be filled with the same joy you brought to ours. May you find happiness in new adventures, peace in quiet moments, and good health in the years ahead. May you continue to dance through life with the same passion and energy that made you such an extraordinary teacher, colleague and friend.  

On behalf of the entire Muslim National School community past and present, we thank you. From the bottom of our hearts, for everything.  

Slán leat, a Sheáin, agus go n-éirí an bóthar leat.