Return to Mac Dara’s for new school principal
By Aideen O'Flaherty
AFTER spending five years as the principal of Coláiste de híde, Deiric Mac An Bhaird has now been appointed as the principal of St Mac Dara’s Community College in Templeogue, with his former deputy Joy Uí Mhurchadha being appointed principal of the Gaelscoil.
Mr Mac An Bhaird spent 19 years as a teacher in St Mac Dara’s before taking on the role of deputy principal in Coláiste de híde for nine years.
New Coláiste de hÍde principal Joy Uí Mhurchadha
He then spent the last five years as principal, and is looking forward to returning to St Mac Dara’s, following the retirement of outgoing principal Paul Kingston.
Mr Mac An Bhaird told The Echo: “It is with a heavy heart that I am moving on after 14 years in Coláiste de hÍde, to take up a new position as principal in St Mac Dara’s Community College in Templeogue.
“I spent nine years as deputy principal and five years as principal in Coláiste de hÍde.
“I enjoyed a very fulfilling time working with excellent staff, students and support teams.
“I’d like to thank the Board of Management, staff, students, the parents’ association and friends of Coláiste de hÍde for their support to me, and for their dedicated hard work and commitment to providing an excellent standard of education through the medium of Irish.
“I will endeavour, in collaboration with the partners in St Mac Dara’s Community College, in continuing to progress, provide and improve the highest standards of education for the students of the college going forward.
“I am looking forward to the new and exciting challenges that my new position in St Mac Dara’s will bring.
St Mac Dara’s new principal Deiric Mac An Bhaird
“I spent 19 very fulfilling years as a teacher there and I am looking forward to returning to work with the students, parents and staff in the Willington community.
“I wish retiring principal Paul Kingston a healthy and active retirement, and compliment him and his staff on their excellent work for the college.”
He added: “I wish the new principal, Joy Uí Mhurchadha, every success in her new position.
“Is cúis bróin dom daltaí, múinteoirí, tuistí agus cairde Coláiste de hÍde a fhágáil tar éis blianta sonasach a chaitheamh leo.
“Oireann an t-am dom glacadh le dúshlán nua agus guím gach rath agus deaghuí ar an obair íontach atá ar siúl i gColáiste de hÍde.
“Guím gach rath ar gach i gColáiste de hÍde agus mise ag fágáil slán orthu. Go néirí go geal leo.”
Ms Uí Mhurchadha is looking forward to taking up her new role as principal of Coláiste de híde, telling The Echo: “I’m delighted to be appointed principal of Coláiste de hÍde – we have the most amazing cohort of students and dedicated staff.
“I’m looking forward to enabling all of our learners to do their very best, and improving gaeilge in the community and making it more visible.”
