Popular school bus driver retires after 19 years on Elphin route

Senior pupils Lauren, Aaron and Jonah present retiring Bus Éireann school bus driver Pat McGarry with an engraved mirror to mark his 19 years of service on the Elphin route.

placeholder image — Senior pupils Lauren, Aaron and Jonah present retiring Bus Éireann school bus driver Pat McGarry with an engraved mirror to mark his 19 years of service on the Elphin route.

A familiar face to generations of schoolchildren has retired after nearly two decades driving the Bus Éireann school bus to Elphin

Pat McGarry completed his final journey on Friday, October 23, bringing to an end 19 years of dedicated service on the school route. To mark the occasion, pupils and staff at Abbeycartron National School organised a special presentation to thank Pat for his years of service.

Pat McGarry pictured with some of the children who travelled on his school bus following his retirement after 19 years serving the Elphin route. | submitted

Senior pupils Lauren, Aaron and Jonah presented him with an engraved mirror featuring a photograph of his bus parked outside the school. Speaking at the presentation, Deputy Principal Hugh Lynn paid tribute to Pat, describing him as an exceptionally popular figure among the children over the years.

He praised Pat as an outstanding ambassador for Bus Éireann, highlighting his professionalism, punctuality and commitment to ensuring pupils travelled safely to and from school. Mr Lynn described him as an exemplary public servant who had been a credit to the company throughout his career.

Before taking up the Elphin route, Pat also drove the school bus service from Frenchpark to St Nathy’s. His retirement marks the end of an era for the school community, with Mr Lynn noting that Pat would be greatly missed by pupils, parents and staff alike.