Obituary: School principal with huge involvement in community

Vincent Garvey

The funeral took place in Oristown on Wednesday (12th October) of Vincent Garvey, the former principal of Scoil Baile Ghib in Gibbstown, who celebrated his 100th birthday in January 2021.

He died peacefully at his residence at Teltown, Donaghpatrick, Navan, last Friday, in his 102nd year.

Born in January 1921 at Lathive, Dingle, Co Kerry, his father, Michael, had served in the Royal Navy for 27 years, and saw action in World War I, on HMS Cornwall. He also survived the Spanish Flu. Vincent’s mother, Margaret Sayers, ran a small shop in Kerry. When the Land Commission was allocating holdings in Meath in the 1930s, Michael and Margaret Garvey and their family moved to Gibbstown from Dingle.

A teenager when the family moved to Meath, Vincent completed his teacher training in St Patrick’s College Drumcondra, and got his first substitute job in Slane just before the schools closed for the summer. It meant he had to cycle to Slane and back every day. His first permanent job was in Inchicore, Dublin, where he taught for five years and studied at night for his degree. He then came home to help run the small farm in Teltown which has been his home ever since.

His first full-time teaching job in Meath was in Fletcherstown, and he then moved as principal to Wilkinstown, and in the late 1950s as principal to the Gaeltacht school Baile Ghib where he taught successive generations of pupils until his retirement in 1986 at the age of 65.

It was then that Vincent and his late wife, Nancy, began their travels, as they had children on three continents. They loved Africa and their trip to South Africa where his father, Michael, had been stationed during the Boer War.

They visited Australia, America and Hawaii. After Nancy died, he travelled with a Pioneer Association group to well-known religious sites around Europe.

Vincent was always a pro-active man in the community, involved in the setting up of the Irish Farmers Association in the county, the local Pioneer Association, and the building and running of Halla Baile Ghib, calling the bingo every Sunday night for years.

He was a wonderful letter writer and touched many people with his thoughtful and kind words. He was a generous man and had a great empathy for anyone in difficulty or suffering. Self sufficient and independent, he was a fantastic gardener, growing grapes, pear trees, vegetable, beetroot, onions, and more. But it was his potatoes that lasted until the very end. He love to watch and admire as they grew.

He always kept a routine. Early to rise, daily Mass, saying his rosary, calling to Christie’s for the paper. Baking brown bread every Saturday, he quickly gained added favour with the family - it was always dished out in large quarters, with delivery included.

He was an intelligent, learned man who, who loved nothing better than a good historic account or a political autobiography. He was a sociable man and made many new friends in his retirement. He was an accomplished bridge player, he tried his hand at golf, and really enjoyed painting. He attended painting classes and painted scenes from his native Kerry. Vincent could be depended upon for any translations to Irish, to speak at any occasion with heart and eloquence in his naturally confident way.

When he celebrated his 100th birthday in January of last year, there was a special drive-by at Gibbstown Hall.

Vincent was the last surviving member of the Garvey family which included Fr Joe Garvey, late PP, Curraha.

Predeceased by his wife Nancy, and grandsons Michael and Brian, Vincent is survived by his family, Micheal, Maria, Áine, Vincent, Gemma, Kevin, Treasa, Darina, and Aodán, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Vincent's funeral Mass took place at St Catherine's Church, Oristown at 11am on Wednesday with burial afterwards in Gibbstown Cemetery.