Last day in school for principal cousins

Thursday, June 26, marked a milestone in the lives and careers of first cousins Vinnie Kelly and Luke Murray, from Bekan, as both bade farewell to the classroom and their positions as school principals after distinguished service.


Vinnie, whose mother, the former Mary Murray, was a sister of Luke’s dad, the late William Murray, took up duty as a teacher in Bekan Primary School in 1975.
The late Ray Forde was principal of the school at the time. Following the untimely passing of Mr. Forde in 1989, Moira Delaney was appointed principal and Vinnie was elevated to the role of vice-principal, a position which he held until Mrs. Delaney’s retirement in 2002, when he then took up the principal’s position. A noted and gifted musician, Vinnie is one of the most accomplished exponents of the guitar in the east Mayo district.


Luke first began teaching in 1978 in Scoil Phadraig, Ballina. After 11 years there, he was appointed principal of Fairymount Primary School in Co. Roscommon, a position he has held for the past 25 years.


A former goalkeeper with Ballyhaunis GAA Club, he holds a Tuohy Cup winners medal with Ballyhaunis soccer club from the 1978 season. In later years he lent his experience and expertise to the Eastern Gaels GAA Club as a player and later when he acted as team manager for a number of seasons.


As regards their plans for the future, the first port of call for the cousins will be a trip to the bog.