History created with appointment of new principal at Mayo school
By Michael Byrne
A LITTLE bit of history was created in Ballyhaunis when Kevin Henry took up duty as principal at Scoil Íosa primary school this month.
On a morning when Ballyhaunis and much of Mayo was covered in a blanket of snow, Kevin became the first Ballyhaunis native to hold this post in over 100 years.
The last Ballyhaunis native to hold this post was the late P.A. Waldron (1909 to 1932).
Kevin takes over the role following the retirement of Knock native Kenneth Dennedy, who was principal at the school for the past 16 years.
The new principal has been attached to the Ballyhaunis primary school for 20 years, having served as deputy principal at Scoil Íosa for the past number of years, working closely with Mr. Dennedy during his tenure.
Kevin's grandfather, the late Tom Waldron from Liscat in Knock, served among the teaching staff in what was then the boys national school in the distant past before taking up the post as principal of Coogue NS.
Son of the late Milo and Peggy (née Waldron) Henry, Upper Main Street, Kevin brings with him a great store of experience to the job of Scoil Íosa principal. Having served at Ballyboden National School in Dublin for six years, he returned to his native Ballyhaunis to take up a position with the family firm of Hazelhill Timber Products for 14 years before deciding to return to the classroom, taking up a teaching post at Scoil Íosa, where he has been a most vital cog in the great achievements there alongside principals Jim Lundon and Kenneth Dennedy.
Kevin has been chairman of Ballyhaunis Parish Pastoral Council for almost eight years, giving wonderful commitment, direction and energy to the hard working committee since his appointment.
A man of many talents, Kevin donned the red and black of Ballyhaunis GAA for many years in the 1980s and '90s, and was the club's chief marksman in the forward position in those years.
He is a leading figure also in Ballyhaunis Golf Club, where he has held many important positions over the years and where he has been an inspirational figure in the promotion of the game among the younger members of the club. In 2023 he represented Mayo GAA in the All-Ireland Scór finals in Killarney in the acting/storytelling category.
Principal teachers at the Abbeyquarter school over previous decades have included Kerry native Jim Lundon, who was appointed in the late 1970s, Brendan Forde, a native of Kiltimagh, Johnny Higgins, who hailed from Ballyheane, Castlebar, and, back in the 1930s, Bill Mulligan, who came to Ballyhaunis from Strokestown in Co. Roscommon and served until the late 1960s.
Married to Killala native and Ballyhaunis Community School teacher Anna (née Gillespie), Kevin's appointment opens a new chapter in the long history of primary school education in Ballyhaunis.
With Kevin's experience, zeal and determination, the future of the Ballyhaunis primary school is in safe hands indeed.
We wish him every success in his new role.