Principal's Desk

I would like to warmly welcome back all our students and staff members after a well- deserved summer break. In particular I would like to extend a special welcome to all our newcomers, especially our First Years, as well as new students in other years and our new teachers. Congratulations to all our Leaving Certificate students who did exceptionally well in their examinations. I wish all our graduates well in their chosen studies and or careers. Two of our distinguished colleagues have chosen to resign from their posts.

Mr John Barry has retired after thirty-six years of service and Mr Maurice Keohane has been appointed Principal of CBS Charleville. I wish John a happy retirement and congratulate Maurice on his promotion. I sincerely thank both of them for their outstanding contribution and service to our school community.

I am delighted to share with readers that three of our students were on the Tony Forrestal u-14 team who beat Kilkenny on Sunday 29th August. Patrick Curran from 3rd Year captained the All Ireland Champions, Chris O’Donnell from 2nd Year and Billy Egan from 3rd Year were also on the team. Further congratulations are extended to Gary Hurley in 6th Year who was one of two people in the country selected to play golf in Sawgrass Golf club,Florida in the 2010 Junior Players Championship. Sawgrass is the home of The Players Championship and I wish Gary well as he battles the notoriously internationally famous 17th Hole Island green and await the news of his choice of club on this famous tee box.

Established students and teachers will notice that our school has been spruced up during the summer. In particular the science laboratory has been completely revamped and updated. On behalf of the school community, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the Houlihan family on their recent bereavement. Finally, I wish everybody in our school community the very best for this new academic year as we continuously strive to add to our scholastic and sporting achievements.
 

Passing of our Deputy Principal, Mr. Éamon Ó Mártín 

On January 9^th, the CBS reopened after the Christmas break and sadly, the school community learned of the untimely passing of our Deputy Principal, Mr Éamon Ó Mártín.  He died the previous evening in Marymount Hospice in Cork City.  Staff, students, parents, the Board of Management and the Parents’ Advisory Council all extend our deepest sympathies to Éamon’s family and close friends at this sad time.

Éamon Ó Mártín taught Latin, Geography, Irish and Maths in CBS Dungarvan.  He took up his teaching post here in 1976, having previously taught in Presentation Brothers College, Cork.  In 1988, Mr Ó Mártín became Deputy Principal. As well as being an excellent teacher, Éamon was a passionate Gaelic Football coach. He did much to pass on his Kerry football skills and love for the game. 

On Wednesday, January 11^th2012, Éamon’s funeral took place in his native Cahersiveen, Co Kerry.  Fr. Moran of St. Augustine’s College was the chief celebrant and his homily paid tribute to Éamon’s just and charitable deeds throughout his life.  Christy Connolly, a close friend, spoke about the man he grew up with in Cahersiveen.  Shane McGrath, a CBS colleague and a member of the Brickey Rangers’ GAA Club, also paid tribute to Éamon who was instrumental in transforming the club into the magnificent grounds it is today.  After Requiem Mass, Éamon was laid to rest in the nearby Holy Cross Cemetery.  At the graveside, CBS staff members Johnny Hughes and Michael Scanlon played and sang Dungarvan My Home Town.  Cahersiveen native Tim Dennehy then sang Éamon’s party piece song, The Boys of Barr na Sráide. 

The entire community of Dungarvan CBS are at a great loss.  Éamon Ó Mártín was a warm and caring man who was deeply committed to his students in the classroom and on the football field.  He was deeply valued as a colleague and we will all miss him dearly.

Ar dheis  Dé ar anam.