End of an era at Limerick school as popular teacher steps down

IT’S the end of an era at Corpus Christi National School in Moyross as its drama and creative arts teacher, Fionnuala Bromell, retires after almost 40 years.

The end of the summer time brought the curtain down on Ms Bromell’s time at the northside school after 38 years.

In that time, she has produced dozens of stage shows for the school community, many of which have won awards.

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Her swansong show focused on the Flight of the Wild Geese and led to the school winning a European award in Strasbourg.
It meant she bowed out at the top.

“I’ve loved every second of it. I never worked anywhere else. I said to Tiernan (O’Neill, school principal) once you find somewhere that makes you happy, and somewhere I knew I could do the kind of work I wanted to do, why would I go anywhere else? It was like a home from home for me. I love Moyross, I love the people of Moyross,” she said.

On the last day of term, Fionnuala was shown a 10-minute compilation of all the stage shows she has produced for the school.

Staff and students then afforded her a guard of honour from Corpus Christi Church to the school where a celebration took place.

“I said it was definitely time to go when one child said to me: you taught my nana,” laughed Fionnuala.

Principal Mr O’Neill said: “The impact of Fionnuala’s work will echo around the corridors of our school for many years to come.

She has contributed so much to the development of the bright new chapter in the story of Moyross and the wider community.”

Asked what he feels her legacy will be, the principal said: “The love of the arts that has been fostered in the generations of children and in the community”.

He added: “She is our female Andrew Lloyd Webber!”