Local Notes: Tributes to departing Kiltimagh school principal
Regina Anderson with her family as she leaves St Louis Community School, Kiltimagh, to take up a new role with Mayo Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board. Picture: John Corless
A surprise gathering at St Louis Community School last week marked the departure of principal Regina Anderson (née Reape), bringing together staff, students, colleagues and family for an emotional farewell.
Ms Anderson leaves the school after 28 years to take up a new position with Mayo Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board.
Ms Anderson was joined at the event by her parents Mick and Mary, her husband Kieran, and children Aoife, Kayla, William, Eimear and Jamie, along with former colleagues and members of the school community. The occasion had been organised in secret by staff and student groups, with tributes and presentations forming part of the celebration.
In a short address to the gathering, Ms Anderson reflected on what she described as “28 wonderful years” in the school.
“Every day has been very enjoyable. I never woke up and said I don’t want to go to school today.”
She spoke warmly about her early days commuting to Kiltimagh, recalling the learning curve of driving from her home in Bonniconlon.
“When I started coming up to Kiltimagh, I had to learn to drive,” she said. “I wasn’t a very good driver. I used to park down past the school and walk up.”
Ms Anderson described the support she received when she first joined the school, recalling how welcoming colleagues made her feel.
“From day one I always felt I was really minded,” she said. “Teachers came up and said, ‘my name is so-and-so, if you need any help, I’m there’. I still remember those people to this day.”
She paid tribute to colleagues in the Home Economics department, and said the school community had supported her throughout her career.
“The staff in this school are brilliant,” she said. “They look out for you in ways you don’t always see.”
Reflecting on changes over nearly three decades, Ms Anderson said she had witnessed major shifts in education and society. Despite this, she said her experience remained overwhelmingly positive.
“Every day has been very enjoyable,” she said. “It has been nothing but support from staff and students.”
She also spoke about her recent decision to apply for a leadership role within the Education and Training Board sector, describing it as something she initially considered as a career option for the future.
“I had no plan to leave the school,” she said. “I just took a notion and applied. I didn’t even think I would get an interview.”
Ms Anderson recalled being offered the position following interview and taking time to consider the decision.
“I got the phone call to say congratulations,” she said. “I said I needed to think about it. In the end I accepted, but it wasn’t an easy decision.”
She acknowledged family influence in her career choices, particularly her parents and husband.
“My mother still says I shouldn’t be leaving Kiltimagh,” she said during her address.
She described her husband Kieran as “my third deputy principal,” paying tribute to his support at home.
Her children were also mentioned in her speech, with Ms Anderson remembering their humour about her career. She recalled her daughter Eimear’s comment that she might consider teaching but “would never be a principal".
Ms Anderson described the students as the central reason for her work in education.
“You are the reason we come to school every day,” she said. “You have always been kind and respectful. I will miss you.”
She also thanked staff groups involved in organising the surprise, including chaplaincy teams, the student council and other student-led committees.
“That was a lovely surprise,” she said.
Tributes were also paid to senior colleagues, including deputy principals and leadership teams past and present, whom she credited with providing constant support throughout her tenure.
In closing, Ms Anderson said her time at the school had shaped both her professional and personal life.
“It has been a privilege to be part of this community,” she said. “I will miss the staff, I will miss the students, but I leave with nothing but gratitude.”
The event concluded with presentations from students and staff, marking the end of an era for a principal who has served the school for almost three decades.
Kiltimagh GAA Club has joined a national awareness initiative aimed at encouraging greater participation in blood donation, as part of the 'Every Drop Counts, I Know' campaign inspired by the late Oisín Kelly.
The campaign honours Oisín Kelly of Naomh Eoin GAA, in Carlow, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2021 and died in August 2023. During his illness, he required multiple blood and platelet transfusions, highlighting the critical role donations play in cancer treatment. His story has since been used to promote awareness, particularly among younger people and within GAA communities.
From a Kiltimagh perspective, the campaign is being actively supported by the local club, which is encouraging members, supporters and the wider community to take part in an upcoming clinic in the town.
The next blood donation clinic will take place at the Kiltimagh Park Hotel on Thursday, May 14th, from 3.50pm to 8.10pm. Anyone aged over 18 is eligible to donate.
Organisers point out that only a small percentage of the population currently gives blood, despite the likelihood that many people will require a transfusion at some point in their lives. The campaign places a particular emphasis on increasing participation among younger age groups.
Kiltimagh GAA has called on local people to support the initiative, describing it as an opportunity to make a practical difference. Community members are also being encouraged to invite friends, family and teammates to attend the clinic.
The campaign continues to highlight the message that a single donation can play a vital role in saving lives.
Kiltimagh Tidy Towns has been making the most of the recent spell of good weather, with a range of projects completed across the town.
Work has continued at several locations, with Seamus Curry and Kieran Kenny carrying out weeding and pruning along the Railway Station embankment, while Tom Byrne undertook cleaning and power washing at the Community Garden. These efforts have added to the overall presentation of the town as the summer season approaches.
Attention has also turned to the new mural on Main Street, where Klim and Yuri Bohatyrov are nearing completion of their work following several weeks on site, hampered by the frequent rain. The project has attracted strong local support, with a number of businesses contributing towards the initiative. Tidy Towns has acknowledged the support of local sponsors and members of the public who provided refreshments and encouragement to the artists during the process.
In another local effort, members of the 10th Mayo Scouts, led by Aisling, Tara and Thady, took advantage of the favourable weather to plant flowers at the entrance to the local church.
The ongoing work reflects a strong level of community involvement and continues to enhance the appearance of Kiltimagh.
Carole Duffy from Aghamore was the winner of the Kiltimagh Knock United Soccer Club 50/50 draw last week, taking home €328.
The weekly draw continues to receive strong support from the local community, with tickets available online as well as through shops and pubs in the area.
The club congratulated Carole on the win and expressed sincere thanks to all who take part each week. Proceeds go towards the development of teams, coaching and the upkeep of club facilities.
There was another well attended and enjoyable 25 Card Drive, with plenty of lively competition and close scoring across the tables.
First prize went to James Walsh and Paddy Carney, who came out on top after a strong and consistent performance. Joint second place was shared by three pairings: Mary McGaugh and Miko Sheridan, Michael Carney and Aiden Lydon, and Jack Pidgeon and Philip Moore, all finishing level after tightly contested games.
The Last 10 prize was shared by Tom Conroy and Joe Boyle and Denis Regan and Jack Ryan. Francis McNicholas and James Maughan claimed the spot prize.
Raffle winners on the night were Miko Sheridan, Mary McGaugh, Tom Durkin and Brian McNulty.
An event to mark Mayo Day will take place at Kiltimagh Museum on Saturday, May 2nd, from 3pm to 5pm.
The programme will feature the Kiltimagh Writers Group, with performances of poetry, stories, songs and music based on this year’s theme, 'The Connected County'. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.
The Kiltimagh Writers Group was established in autumn 2024 and is led by local poet Terry McDonagh. The group has 16 members and meets on a bi-weekly basis. It was formed to bring together writers working in poetry, prose, short stories and songwriting, and to provide opportunities to share work and develop skills.
The Mayo Day event will be the group’s first public performance. Plans are also in place for the publication of a first edition magazine later this year.
Enquiries can be made by email to kiltimaghwritersreview25@gmail.com.
