Lots of love in Loughnavalley
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Breda Rigney and Daniel Mulvihill at their retirement party in Loughnavalley school on Friday June 19.Image 2 of 15
Natasha Miskell, Barbara Reynolds and Margaret Gorman at Loughnavalley.Image 3 of 15
Maisie Shaw and Sarah Thompson in Loughnavalley on Friday.Image 4 of 15
Maura Jessop and Patricia Hurson from Tyrrellspass.Image 5 of 15
Coralee Halford from Loughnavalley and Bronagh McCabe from Mullingar.Image 6 of 15
There was a great turnout for Breda and Daniel’s retirement.Image 7 of 15
Aidan Redmond and Andrew Feery from Loughnavalley.Image 8 of 15
Catriona Whelehan and Ronan Kenny on Friday.Image 9 of 15
Ciara Rigney, Alfie Smith and Philip Smith (Loughnavalley).Image 10 of 15
Roisin Fay from Dysart, Mary Bousbbse (former teacher) and Kenneth Rigney (Breda’s son).Image 11 of 15
Emma Glennon, Dylan Glennon and Eithne Cleary at the retirement party.Image 12 of 15
Olive Martin, Eileen O’Neill and Mary Keena.Image 13 of 15
Maria Fox and Liz Martin from Loughnavalley.Image 14 of 15
Ignatious Walker and Ger Brennan on Friday afternoon.Image 15 of 15
Faye Gorman, Rachel Masterson, Kailee Masterson and Caoimhe McCabe helped out with the refreshments.Síofra Grant
Loughnavalley National school hosted a bitter-sweet event on Friday June 19, when staff and students said goodbye to two pillars of their school, principal Danny Mulvihill and school secretary Breda Rigney.
The began with Mass in the local church and continued wiht a ceremony and reception in the school.
Breda has served as secretary at Loughnavalley for 25 years and Danny celebrated 16 years as principal, and both have made an impact on the past and current students.
As the event began, students poured into the hall each wearing either a mask of Breda, or a mask of Danny, which elicited a great response from the crowd.
There were performances from each classroom in honour of the two retirees, songs and raps written by the students declaring how much Danny and Breda would be missed.
The room was full to the brim as members of the parent teachers association and the board of management voiced their appreciation to the two for their years of service.
“I’m very emotional, very emotional,” said Breda. “I’ve been here 25 years, so it’s definitely an emotional time.
“And I’ve really enjoyed it, I’ve really enjoyed the 25 years, but it’s nice to have this bit over.”
Breda had been greeted by current and past pupils throughout the day. “A lot of people that have passed through the school or that I’ve worked with over the years,” she said.
As for what’s next, Breda said: “I don’t have any plans as yet but I’m going to America now for a while, just for a holiday and we’ll take it from there.”
As well as Breda, Danny Mulvihill, the now former principal of Loughnavalley, was finishing up his tenure at the school. Originally a Kerryman, Danny has been principal for 16 years and has enjoyed his time there.
“It’s fantastic,” he said of the event, “there’s been huge support. It’s been great to see so many parents past and present and so many pupils who attended on a very wet day. It’s heartwarming to see it.
“I thank them all, it’s lovely to see and I expect no less from Loughnavalley. It’s a fantastic community, who supports every adventure and every gesture, so I’d like to thank them.”
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Danny was also asked if he had anything in particular he was looking forward to on retirement. “I don’t make plans,” he laughed. “We have a couple of events, bits and pieces, that myself and my wife have organised.
“But no, no long term plans, I don’t make them, what’s the old saying? Plan and God laughs. Me and my wife will head off on a holiday maybe and after that we have four children partially living at home, so we won’t be bored.”
There was a lot of emotion in the room that day. Whether it was co-workers, students or parents, it was clear that both Danny and Breda will be sorely missed.