Friday 10th November was a historic day in the life of our school. We said goodbye to our Vice-Principal of 21 years – Mr Terry O’Hanlon. Mr O’Hanlon was accompanied by his wife Shona and his three children Dearbhla, Eimear and Redmond. Fr Seamus White said a beautiful Mass of Thanksgiving to a packed church in St Patrick’s Church, Dromintee. Father Seamus’ homily gave thanks to Mr O’Hanlon for his years of service and input into the school community. Our former esteemed colleague, retired Principal Mrs McMahon said the first reading and Mrs Michelle Kelly, newly appointed Vice-Principal said the second reading. The responsorial psalm was read by former pupil Eoin Geoghegan. Mr O’Hanlon’s 3 children carried up the gifts at the Offertory part of the Mass. The 60-strong pupil choir from Dromintee Primary School sang beautifully throughout the Mass, led by Choir Mistresses Mrs Niamh McArdle and Miss Ann-Marie Hanratty. Pupils from each of the year groups read prayers of the faithful (even P1) and 2 pupils from Mr O’Hanlon’s last class – Terence and Fionnulagh – read the prayers before and after Holy Communion. Mrs McKeown read a post-communion reflection poem by Blessed Oscar Romero. It was a beautiful Mass and a very fitting tribute to Mr O’Hanlon.
The community, including a huge number of former pupils, came back to the school for entertainment and refreshments. Mrs McKeown was MC for the evening. Mrs McMahon paid tribute to Mr O’Hanlon’s qualities in a speech. Mrs Kelly read a poem, penned by Mrs McNaughton, which was a humorous interpretation of Mr O’Hanlon as a colleague. Ms Julia Armstrong presented Terry with a painting of Camlough Lake (which he used to pass every morning en route to Dromintee). Mrs Niamh McArdle presented Terry’s wife, Shona, with a bouquet of flowers and Ms Ann-Marie Hanratty presented Terry with a cheque from the staff and community. Some of the primary 6 and 7 pupils continued a tradition of a mummers play in Dromintee by performing. In his speech of appreciation Mr O’Hanlon reminded us that the mummers play was a tradition from Dromintee, documented by Michael J Murphy. He spoke sincerely to every pupil – present and past – in the packed Slieve Gullion Hall and urged them to have confidence in themselves, not to compare themselves with others and to speak to someone if they have a worry. Past pupils Alannah, Ciara and Aoibh finished off our entertainment with a specially choreographed Irish dance routine.
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