Former TCS principal Darragh instilled in his students a pride of being from Tallaght
“I know that I’m somebody cause God don’t make no junk”.
A First Year Student presented a picture he had drawn, with the above statement, to Darragh O’Reilly, which he held on to and kept its sentiment in a special place in his heart.
The late Darragh O’Reilly
It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Darragh O’Reilly, former Principal of Tallaght Community School.
He joined TCS as Deputy Principal in 1978, was appointed Principal in 1989 and held that post until his retirement in 1994.
Darragh was a larger than life character, who believed in treating everybody fairly and believed that there were good qualities in everybody and worked hard to ensure that these qualities emerged in his students.
He knew every student’s name and knew their families and extended families and would welcome everyone into TCS by using their first name.
A keen sports lover Darragh was from Meath and he loved his football.
He took great pride in the fact that there were three All Ireland medal winners who were past pupils of TCS; Joe McNally, St Annes, Ciaran Maher, Ballyboden St. Endas and Paul Curran, Thomas Davis, who was the son of a Meath man and this gave him great joy.
He encouraged both male and female students to become involved in sports as he believed it helped foster characteristics of self esteem and self belief in the students and his belief in them was endless.
He continually supported students, instilling in them a pride of being from Tallaght.
Darragh was also very supportive of his staff and was a source of great advice to many new teachers.
He was thrilled when in 1994, his final year in the school, the TCS soccer team won the Leinster Senior Schools under18A Final.
It was said that his cheering from the side lines put the fear of God into the opposition, Synge St, CBS.
After his retirement, he ran in the 2002 General Election as a Christian Solidarity candidate, in Dublin South West Constituency.
On behalf of the Board of Management, staff and students, past and present of Tallaght Community School, we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Josephine and his family.
May He Rest In Peace.
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