Arranmore says 'thank you' to retiring Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada staff members

Friday saw long-serving staff members make their last official return trip to and from Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada, Arranmore.

Mary Doherty, originally from Enfield, Co Meath, moved north-west in 1991. Having spent a year on Arranmore, she settled in Dungloe and commuted in and out of Arranmore on the red and blue ferries, teaching at the Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada, a Donegal ETB school, which had opened in 1990.

Mary advanced to become the principal in 2010, leading a staff team of 20 and a population of 100 students. Daniel, who initially alerted Mary to the job opening, ended up being the man she married. The school's deputy principal, Daniel, and woodwork teacher Fred Gallagher have recently retired with Mary and Derval Newmann from Clondalkin will take over as the principal at the beginning of the academic year in September.

"We truly hope that you both enjoy retirement and would like to 'Thank you' for all your support down through the years," Dominic and Deirdre Sweeney and the staff of the Arranmore Red Ferry posted as Mary and Daniel made their way back to Burtonport.