Una Duffy retires as Principal in Mohill Community College

Last week was a momentous week in local school, Mohill Community College, as we said goodbye to our principal of twenty-one years, Ms Una Duffy. Last week we said our final farewells with a series of events throughout the day.

Firstly, we began the day with a tree planting ceremony in Ms Duffy’s honour. Donal Fox was in attendance as the Chair of the Board of Management and paid a lovely heartfelt tribute to Una on the day.

Michelle Gannon, representing parents, was also in attendance and likewise expressed her gratitude and thanks to Ms Duffy on behalf of the parents. Ms Callinan gave a beautiful speech, walking us through Una’s career and finally, student, Aoife Bentout, read a rousing rendition of The Lake Isle of Innisfree. The ceremony was attended by members of staff and the student council also.

Later in the day, students were invited to show their appreciation to Ms Duffy. They assembled outside and gave Ms Duffy a round of applause on exiting the school and presented her with a bouquet of flowers.


Una Duffy cutting her retirement cakes, courtesy of Ms Cliodhna Kellegher and Ms Wilma Farrell, on the day of her retirement

Ms Duffy gave many years of dedicated service to education in Mohill and the surrounding areas both as a teacher and as a Principal. Ms Duffy began as an English and German teacher in Marian College in 1991.

She was a caring and compassionate teacher with boundless energy for her subjects. Under her guidance as a teacher, each pupil found their path and developed their inner strength to realise their full potential. She saw the very best in every student emphasising their many strengths and empowering them with the confidence to soar to great heights for example winning an All-Ireland in debating.

Following the retirement of Sr. Helen in 2002, Ms Duffy was appointed as Principal of Marian College, a role she undertook with determination, efficiency, and dedication, displaying exceptional leadership qualities.

Ms Duffy embraced the amalgamation of Marian College and Mohill Vocational School in 2008. Ms Duffy was appointed Principal of the newly formed Mohill Community College.

Over the years Ms Duffy was instrumental in the development of the school, as it grew in size from 245 to the current enrolment of nearly 500.

Through these 15 years Ms Duffy was a constant, providing unwavering commitment and support to all the students and all staff members. Each parent enrolling their precious child felt safe in the knowledge that they were in the care of a compassionate Principal.

Ms Duffy led the school through many challenges, most particularly she embraced the challenges of the uncharted territory of Covid 19 and she left no stone unturned to ensure the school was a safe place for all.

Ms Duffy has witnessed many changes in her career in education. Teaching methods have evolved and new technologies have emerged. Yet, amidst all these changes including Junior Cycle and CBA’s, she remained dedicated and steadfast as a Principal providing an education for all needs.

Tree planting ceremony in honour of Ms Una Duffy's last day as principal in Mohill Community College

Finally, Ms Duffy has been inspiring, her contribution to the school and education for those living in this region of Leitrim can never be measured and as she plans for the future, we will miss her.

Many tributes have been paid to Ms Duffy by many different people over the last number of weeks and many lovely words have been used to describe her by parents, past pupils, former colleagues and current staff and students. Ms Duffy deserves all of this and more.

We wish Una joy and happiness in her retirement. We hope she enjoys many fun filled and relaxing years with her husband Sean, her siblings and extended family.

We hope she enjoys the retirement she so richly deserves.

Ms Martina Callinan