Michael O'Donnell arrived in Glenville National School on the September 3rd, 1996 and departed on the 3rd of September 2017 and was back among colleagues for a party in his honour last Friday

Not alone did he leave this east Cork school better than he found it, he oversaw the replacement of a facility that was no longer fit for purpose and was present to see the construction of a building that will serve the needs of local children for generations. 

The campaign to build the new school was a sometime torturous one and required great reserves of patience and determination to get the project over the line. 

During the course of the evening, Michael, a die-hard Tipperary man, was acknowledged for his commitment to the school, dedication to his profession and the fairness with which he treated every pupil. 

Coverage in this week’s Print & Digital Edition