Celebrating inspiring
Teachers across Ireland
Celebrating inspiring Teachers across Ireland
A nationwide initiative to collect, curate
and share stores of inspirational teachers.
A nationwide initiative to collect, curate
and share stores of inspirational teachers.
about teachers inspire
Hundreds of nominations from parents and students recognising the impact their teacher has had on them or their child. Curated by author Louise O'Neill, these stories capture the gratitude and admiration felt for educators who continue to inspire and make a lasting difference.
our awardees
We felt it was time teachers got the recognition they deserved! Check out each years awardees below.
Seamas Cassidy, retired from Tuam CBS, County Galway and was awarded not only for the profound impact he had on the life of his nominator but also his local community. Seamas’s passion for teaching was renowned locally and he was described as a “pioneering adult who helped young people to believe in themselves as individuals and to think for themselves.” Seamas opened up places in his higher-level Maths class to girls from neighbouring convent schools, at a time when certain educational opportunities were restricted for girls.
Nora Duffy, a retired teacher of St. Joseph’s Co-Ed, East Wall, had a deep and long-lasting commitment to her local community and taught generations of families in the East Wall area. A Donegal native, Nora made the move to Dublin in the 1960s and immersed herself into life in the area. In a career spanning over 40 years, she left an enormous legacy and inspired generations to pursue their passions and dreams. Indeed, such was her impact that many of her students went on to become teachers, and in the case of her nominator, returned to work beside her in St Joseph’s Co-Ed.
Sinead O’Mahony teaches at the Mid-West School for the Deaf in Limerick. Sinead was chosen for her unstinting dedication to her students, consistently going the “extra mile” for them and their families and for the manner in which she fosters and cultivates a culture of inclusion for all within the school system. Sinead’s nomination was made by parent Rachel Broderick.
Kelly Loughran teaches at Beech Hill College, Monaghan and was selected for the extra lengths she goes to in her role as a teacher consistently going above and beyond what is required. In the words of her nominator, “she doesn’t just treat us like students, she treats us like people.” Kelly’s role as a counsellor for students across the school community and her running of the Diversity Committee; all in addition to her teaching; have had a positive impact on the whole school community.
Donna Fitzgerald, St Joseph’s Secondary School, Tulla, County Clare was nominated on behalf of a number of students and described as teaching, ‘by her words and actions (to) live life to your potential, to take on challenges and to be happy in what you are doing.’ As well as teaching Geography, she started the school mental health awareness programme which resulted in a ‘Wellness Week’ as well as a huge effort to support Cycle Against Suicide which stopped in Tulla. Teachers Inspire was told Donna has inspired hundreds of students and made a real and tangible difference to their lives.
Claire Duffy taught English in Skerries Community College, county Dublin and was nominated by former student - and future teacher and journalist - Rob O’Hanrahan. He said she, “was one of the teachers who truly helped shape who and what type of adult I would eventually be.” As his English teacher to Junior Certificate, she not only fostered his love for the language but, he says, also developed it. She was also the school's public speaking and debating coach, through which his confidence grew.
Liz Kett is a retired Art teacher from Grennan College, Thomastown and was nominated by former student Gerard Kelly who said she provided a safe space for him as he was coming out as a gay teenager in rural Ireland. “Her room was always open, regardless of if it was anything to do with school or subjects, Liz would take you underneath your wing and just make you feel safe and give you space to grow and be yourself. Not only did she become someone in school I felt comfortable confiding in, but she helped me believe in myself enough to get to where I am today,” he said.
An English teacher at Virginia College, County Cavan, Una Smith was nominated by former student Shauna Sheridan who described how she had failed her mocks and had no idea what she was going to do after she sat the Leaving Cert. Shauna was also struggling with her mental health and said, “my mother was recovering from cancer and my father took his own life two weeks before my 18th birthday.” She said that Una “would ask me how I was and genuinely wanted to hear the answer. Not only did she become someone in school I felt comfortable confiding in, but she helped me believe in myself enough to get to where I am today.”
Joe McAndrew was a man ahead of his time in 1980s rural Ireland. He was a primary school teacher in Banagher National School, county Mayo and his influence on former pupil Ann Loughney never faded. She was in fourth class and said Joe’s classroom was welcoming and supportive and he never discriminated against girls. They were taught about car engines and computers, just as the boys were, and Ann said, “he never made you feel small or silly for asking any question.” Joe retired as school Principal.
Jennifer Hutton, St. Fiacc’s National School, Graigecullen, County Carlow was nominated by parent Susan Maguire for taking, “the weight of the world off me,” when she assured Susan she would mind her son Christopher (6) as if he was her own. Susan went into labour 13 weeks early while the family was on holidays and her newborn son was admitted to ICU. Susan and her husband stayed with their baby while Christopher returned home with other family members.
Ruairí Farrell was a teacher at Colaiste Chraobh Abhainn secondary school, Kilcoole, County Wicklow and nominated by former student Ciara Nolan. He made an appointment for the then 17 year old to see a counsellor and in her nomination to Teachers Inspire, she said this intervention, “saved me both mentally and physically.” At the time she was struggling with an eating disorder. She said, “he was just one of those teachers, even if he didn’t teach you, he knew who you were and would stop and have a conversation with you. He was a great presence in the school.” He is now principal at Greystones Community College.
Gemma Maher, now Principal at Rathcoole Educate Together NS, county Dublin, was nominated by parent Kirsten FitzGerald for the role she played in ensuring her daughter Olivia got the supports she needed. At the time Gemma was a resource teacher in a different school. Gemma was the first professional to validate concerns Olivia’s parents had. “Gemma is a wonderful teacher and a really special person,” said Kirsten.
Jill Farrell, primary school teacher at St. Nessan’s in Mungret, Co. Limerick was nominated by Justyna Brzezicka, mother of Jill’s past student Aimee, for the huge amount of support and compassion she showed both of them. Jill said to Justyna that we need to “give our children permission to be themselves and to explore the world in their own time, and not compare themselves to others.” She looked after her pupils wellbeing by organising yoga and mindfulness classes and Jill also inspired Justyna to go back to college.
Joe O’Driscoll, a now retired teacher who taught at Carrigboy National School in West Cork, was nominated by former student Ellen Somers. Ellen struggled to fit in and recalls Joe helping her feel like she was enough, and reminding her not to shrink herself for others, saying, “I felt a constant whisper of ‘keep being you’ from him. He never forced me to play GAA or feel like I had to fit in. I was simply enough. That’s a lot for a teacher to give a 9 year old.” Ellen did her Masters at Columbia University and attributes a lot of her life and academic achievements to Joe.
Meg Offiah, a teacher in Our Lady of Mercy College, Beaumont, Dublin, inspired a future teacher to, “ be confident as a Muslim Algerian.” Former student Ryma Halfaoui nominated Meg saying she helped her to find confidence and become excited to come to school, as she was the only student from a different ethnic and religious background most of the time. Ryma says, “she shared stories of when she first moved to Ireland and what her life is like now, she spoke about her children and made me feel like I could make it in a system I wasn’t quite sure how to navigate.” Ryma later became the first foreign national to do a Bachelor of Education in St. Pats.
Primary school teacher Ursula O’Mahoney was nominated by parent Caroline Kennedy for the care she showed her daughter Aine at St. Senan’s National School, Enniscorthy. Aine was non-verbal and had epilepsy and autism and Caroline recalls how Ursula looked after Aine as if she was her own. Caroline says, “I would often see Ursula sitting on the floor and laughing alongside Aine, and I often recall when Aine first met Ursula that she laughed. She was like a shining light for Aine.” Tragically Aine has since passed away but she was never forgotten by Ursula or the school.
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