Trailblazing Limerick SNA Eileen retires after 45 years

SPECIAL Needs Assistant Eileen Collins has retired, after a career spanning 45 years, all of which was spent in Catherine McAuley School in Limerick city.

Eileen’s job back then was known as a classroom assistant in 1980 and she was one of the first classroom assistants to be employed in Ireland. She recalls being interviewed for the position by the then school principal, Sr Kilian Bogler, who started the school in 1961, and by Sr Cabrini Moloney.

At that time the school had just moved to its present site, on land donated by the Mercy Sisters. Eileen went on to become the longest serving staff member in the school’s history.

School principal, Greg Browne said: “Eileen was a most caring and diligent SNA. She had a great rapport with all the pupils and all considered her as a lot more than an SNA, a trusted adult with a listening year when things were not going well.

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“Eileen kept up contact with many past pupils and was always to the fore in times of difficulty. Her role in school was multifaceted, looking after the care needs of the pupils as well as supporting many teachers that she met during her career, with implementing the curriculum.”

Eileen's last week in school was filled with several events to mark her retirement including a school Mass. A presentation was made to her by the pupils followed by a guard of honour as Eileen made her final exit from the school as a staff member. To celebrate her career, the staff also held a retirement function in The Woodlands Hotel in Adare where presentations were made to her on behalf of the Board of Management.