O'Carolan College bids farewell to much loved secretary

Parents and students gathered in the school gym of O'Carolan College, Nobber, earlier today to pay tribute to school secretary Kathleen Murray who retires after 45 years in the role.

Kathleen has been "the smiling face that greets everyone" and the "calm voice at the end of the phone" for more than four decades having worked in all three school buildings during her time at the school.

The gym was packed full of students, teachers, parents and past pupils and members of the community who wished to show their gratitude to Kathleen for everything she did over the years.

Not only her efficiency in ensuring the smooth running of the office and all the admin that went with the role, but also her kindness in everything she did.

Wearing a tiara and sash with the words "The legend has retired", Kathleen, accompanied by husband Finian and children Joseph, Jessica and Lisa, was welcomed into the gym to rapturous applause.

Next up was a video with numerous messages of thanks and well wishes including one from An Taoiseach Micheal Martin. There were dozens of messages including Ian Dempsey, Daniel O'Donnell Lucy Kennedy, Clare Dunne, Robbie Brennan Sean Boylan, Graham Geraghty and Mary Duff.

Her family also contributed with messages from her husband, and three children as well as brother Harry McGarry, principal of St Pats CS in Navan.

Presentations were made on behalf of the school's parents' association while the Student Voice representatives presented a cherry blossom tree on behalf of the students.

Oisin Crahan of Student Voice joked that she could think of the students sitting their junior and leaving cert exams when it blooms.

He spoke of how Kathleen was "so much more than a secretary" and if he was to list every thing that Kathleen does he would be there until the middle of next week.

When he asked people about their memories of Kathleen the answer he kept getting was "the chats in the corridor with Kathleen- they are unbeatable".

On behalf of the students he thanked her for her kindness to them all and for everything she did for them.

The fifth year music students also wrote a song especially for Kathleen which they performed.

From there all the students lined the halls of the school as Kathleen made her way one last time around the corridors to rapturous applause.

Refreshments were provided by the Parents's Association afterwards including a beautiful cake complete with Kathleen's telephone and school crest.

And the celebrations don't end there. Kathleen's colleagues will gather tonight to show their appreciation to their much loved colleague at a function in the Headfort Arms Hotel.

See next week's Meath Chronicle out Tuesday for more photos and an interview with Kathleen