Guard of honour for traffic warden Syl on his retirement
Syl with "Derry Girls " in Holy Rosary Primary School

Guard of honour for traffic warden Syl on his retirement

A BELOVED and dedicated school traffic warden has hung up his lollipop for the final time as he enters retirement.

The role of a ‘lollipop person’ is something that is very important in communities across South Dublin County as they help in ensuring children get to school safely.

For Tallaght man Sylvester McAuley, working as a traffic warden for Holy Rosary Primary School is something he found wholeheartedly rewarding.

“I was in the print industry for a long time and when I was retiring from that, I needed something to get myself out of bed in the mornings and out into the fresh air,” the Bancroft resident tells The Echo.

“And this job really ticked all the boxes.

“So, I decided that I’d try it for a year and now here I am, five years later, and I’m quite sad to be giving it up.

“I’ve made some great friendships through it. The kids, the parents, the school, they were all super to me and so supportive.

“It’s very much so a rewarding job. I couldn’t have asked for nicer people to be involved with, and the kids, they are all so wonderful – young people are wonderful.

“Every morning you’d get a new story from one of the kids on their way to school, I’ll miss it.

Syl with Caroline Hay

While there is no shortage of joy in the job, the level of responsibility was never lost on Syl.

“It is quite an important job. There were a few instances where a child could have been injured if I hadn’t been there,” Syl details.

“It’s great and it’s good fun, but you have to be on the ball as well because there is a fair bit of responsibility that comes with the job.

“Especially on a Friday, you really have to mind that the kids don’t run out on the road looking forward to the weekend.”

Last Thursday, the day before Syl’s 70th birthday, his contract with South Dublin County Council expired and he was caught by surprise after being asked to come into the school for a cup of tea.

“I was invited up for a cup of tea, myself and my wife headed up to the school and I was absolutely gobsmacked,” the Walkinstown native says.

“All the school children were out in front of the school, and they clapped me in, giving me a guard of honour.

“It was very emotional for me now because they were all so good to me. Holy Rosary really is a welcoming, wonderful school.

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