Geraldine says farewell to Holy Angels centre in Carlow
Geraldine, second row left, with Holy Angels Day Care Centre staff and family members at her retiremenet party in Teach
MANAGER of Holy Angels Day Care Centre, Geraldine Connell, said farewell to the school after 35 years of service.
“From the bottom of my heart, I have loved every minute of my time there,” said Geraldine, who celebrated her retirement at a party in Teach Dolmen pub on Friday night.
“I never thought I would spend so long in one place.” When Geraldine began her role as manager in 1991, there were 12 children with additional needs attending the school. Through her work, and the work of her colleagues who she describes as very good friends, there are now 36 children attending Holy Angels.
“There were tough days, too,” reflected Geraldine, “but then one of the children would hit a milestone and we’d be in top form again.” “Everyone in Carlow has heard of the school,” said Sharon Grant, a staff member at the beloved day care.
She praised Geraldine for developing the school so much during her time as manager.
She added that it was very sad to see Geraldine go and that she will be “very much missed.” Geraldine is retiring earlier than she anticipated due to illness. She has since recovered but is keen to travel and spend more time with her family. Holy Angels first opened its doors in 1978, run by retired nun Sr Colomba Flavin and two voluntary nurses. Now there are 24 staff working full-time. The day care takes in children with additional needs from ages one and a half to six. Geraldine said that early intervention is crucial for children and that she can see a big difference in a child who starts attending the school as young as possible. The school is 90 per cent funded by the HSE, but it also relies heavily on fundraising.
Geraldine highlighted several fundraising efforts by the local community, including a group of cyclists who traversed the Slieve Blooms to raise funds year-on-year and locals who have completed the Dublin city marathon and women’s mini marathon in aid of the school.
“Keeping fighting for the children of Carlow,” urged Geraldine to the school’s board of management. She said her parting wish is to see Holy Angels move into a more suitable building.
The school has been in prefabs at Strawhall Industrial Estate, Carlow, since 1984. Geraldine said that even though the staff have done an excellent job in making the prefabs homely, a new building is essential.
Geraldine thanked everyone in Carlow who has helped Holy Angels, especially when it was in “dire straits” for funding. Although she is retiring, she said it would be very hard to walk away completely and that she would offer any help and support she can to her colleagues.
