Carndonagh’s Ailish Tully reflects on a remarkable 40 years in education

After four decades in education, including 20 years as principal of Scoil Chroí Naofa [formerly the Girls School] in Carndonagh, AILISH TULLY has closed the door on a remarkable career. The Inishowen Independent reached out to Ailish to reflect on her years in teaching, and she spoke to journalist CAOIMHINN BARR about a career filled with memorable moments, change and a deep connection with generations of local children.

From starting her first permanent teaching job at just 20-years-old to embracing creative projects, school trips and the move towards co-education, Ailish looks back with enormous affection and gratitude. As she begins retirement alongside husband Shaun, she also reveals why this is far from the end of her involvement with the young people of Carndonagh.

Please explain your teaching career and how the journey began?

I was one of those lucky people who always knew what I wanted to do. From about the age of nine, I wanted to be a teacher, so there was never really a Plan B!

I went straight into a permanent job in St Patrick’s Boys’ School in Carndonagh a few weeks after graduating from university and my 20th birthday. Looking back now, 20 seems incredibly young to be put in charge of a classroom!

For three years, I taught Senior Infants and First Class, which I adored, before moving across to St Patrick’s Girls’ School, where I equally loved my 17 years teaching Sixth Class (and sometimes a combined 5th / 6th) there, before becoming principal.

I then spent 20 years as principal. There’s a lovely symmetry to it when I look back – roughly 20 years growing up and being a student, 20 years as a class teacher and 20 years as principal. Three chapters of 20 years, so I’m curious to see what the next couple of chapters bring!

Did you enjoy your time in school?

I absolutely loved being a class teacher, and loved all subjects – I couldn’t really pick one as a favourite and the arts (creative writing, music, art, drama and dance) allowed me explore and humour my artistic side in all subject areas.

Becoming principal never really meant stepping away from this or the children. I was blessed to have a staff who encouraged and supported my involvement in the curriculum, the musicals (Joseph was a favourite!) and shows, sport, trips, after-school activities, creative projects and, more recently, summer camps.

We had some great adventures over the years. There were trips to Dublin and Edinburgh, a fairly legendary class outing to Glenmakee involving hiking, rope bridges, abseiling and a barbecue, lots of camogie and football, and more school shows than I could count. Looking back at some of the things we did, I’m not entirely sure we’d get away with them now!

One project I particularly loved was a three-year Creative Arts project which allowed my Sixth Class to work with authors, musicians, dancers and artists, stay away on residential trips, publish books and create performances.

How has the school changed over the years?

I was delighted to be part of an amazing team of parents, staff and boards of management, which managed to bring our Seomra Spraoi (school sports hall) into existence, and in recent years, the playground facilities and most recently, our outdoor classroom, An Bothán.

The school itself has changed enormously during those years. When I started there were no interactive smart TVs, Chromebooks or iPads – in fact, no photocopier, mobile phone, computer or laptop – in Carndonagh, never mind the school!

My classroom basically consisted of desks, chairs, a blackboard, chalk, a permanent marker and a few sheets of poster paper donated by the teacher next door. But, the best resource in any job is always the people, and I have been blessed to work alongside wonderful staff in both schools, hard-working, dedicated boards of management, and the parents of Carndonagh who are, and always have been, so supportive of education.

One of the changes I was happiest to see before retiring was St Patrick’s Girls’ School becoming Scoil Chroí Naofa and moving towards co-education. I had hoped for that for many years, so seeing boys and girls coming through the doors together felt like a lovely way to finish my career.

What was the best thing about being a teacher/principal?

Without question, the best thing has been the children. Schools are really about people – and the children are at the heart of it all. I’ve often said that if you love what you do, it never really feels like a job.

Of course there were difficult days, sad times, challenging situations and plenty of sleepless nights, particularly as principal, but I can genuinely say that I never regarded teaching as simply “a job”. I know how fortunate I’ve been to spend my working life doing something I loved.

The big occasions were wonderful – the shows, school trips, sport, Hallowe’en Hooleys, samba drumming, dancing, singing and all the projects we took on. But when you come to the end of your career, you realise that many of your favourite memories are much smaller things: the little notes left for me in my blue post box, an unexpected hug, a smile in the corridor or something a child says that makes you laugh.

Will you miss it? It must feel strange not having a new term to prepare for after all these years?

I always say that although schools are supposed to teach children, children teach us an awful lot too. Mine taught me kindness, friendship, creativity, curiosity and, probably most importantly, how to laugh every day. The fist bumps, hugs and high-fives every morning weren’t a bad way to start a working day either! I’ll hugely miss that.

I’ll miss the staff enormously too. I have been incredibly lucky with the people I’ve worked alongside. There was professionalism and commitment, of course, but also friendship, humour and people willing to go along with some fairly mad ideas and somehow make them work through sheer teamwork.

I’ll miss the wider school community as well. I’ve always loved that the school was very much part of Carndonagh rather than sitting apart from it – working with the Parents’ Association and Board of Management, Scouts, sporting and cultural organisations, and so many other local groups.

And yes, September feels very strange. For practically my entire life, September has meant a new beginning – first as a pupil and student, then as a teacher and principal. There is definitely something surreal about watching everyone else head back.

I’m leaving with much more gratitude than sadness. I got to spend my life working with generations of children, watching them grow up and flourish. That’s a fairly special career to have had.

Are you looking forward to retirement and the next chapter in your life?

I’m definitely looking forward to the next chapter, although I’m not entirely sure yet what being “retired” is supposed to look like! My husband, Shaun, has just retired also from An Garda Síochána, and in many ways I joke that he has retired from the school now too!

He has been by my side throughout my career – encouraging and supporting me, but also providing endless practical help. He has spent years hammering, fixing, carrying and tidying things, setting up sound systems and somehow finding practical solutions to whatever crazy project I had decided to take on.

My parents, Michael (who sadly passed away in 2018) and Annie, have always been my biggest cheerleaders and our children, Briana, Cian and Dáire, have been part of it all too. They grew up alongside the school and were regularly roped into helping with whatever project or event we happened to have on the go and, in recent years, worked alongside me at our Forest Summer camps. Some of the staff jokingly refer to us as “Team Tully”, which probably sums it up quite well!

So, it feels like a new stage for all of us. Shaun and I are both excited about whatever new projects or opportunities might present themselves. Neither of us is particularly good at doing nothing, so I don’t think retirement is going to mean sitting about.

We’re looking forward to more time for family and friends, plenty of travel and, hopefully, lots of new projects and adventures.

Scouts has always been a huge part of our family life so that is something we’re particularly excited about having more time for. We’ve just helped renovate a fantastic new Scout Den in Carndonagh and the 8th Donegal Scout Group is now entering its 50th anniversary year.

In a lovely way, it means that although my school career has ended, our involvement with the young people of Carndonagh certainly hasn’t. I feel very privileged that through Scouting we can continue that connection and hopefully give something back to another generation of local children and young people.

For the first time in our adult lives, we have the luxury of time to explore new opportunities and decide what comes next.

Are you happy that Scoil Chroi Naofa has a bright future ahead?

I don’t see retirement as an ending. I’ve had a career that I loved, surrounded by people who believed in me and supported me, and I leave with countless happy memories.

I’m delighted to leave a wonderful school in such capable hands and wish the new principal, Ms. McNulty, and a staff that’s second to none, the same joy and fulfilment that I’ve enjoyed in Scoil Chroí Naofa.

Now I’m looking forward to a new future with my own family and our community. I feel very blessed and lucky.