Mayo teacher and principal served as a very fair and kind instructor
By Mike Byrne
THE recent passing of Jarlath Fahey from the Ballyhaunis community has robbed the area of one of the finest and most respected gentleman the district has ever known.
As a man of great skill, wisdom and, especially, great humility, he endeared himself to generations of students who came under his radar as teacher, counsellor and advocate during the 40 years he worked in secondary education in Ballyhaunis.
A native of Lavallyroe, on the outskirts of Ballyhaunis, bordering the counties of Mayo and Roscommon, Jarlath was born to the late Martin and May Fahey 86 years ago. I believe that the art of teacher was in his bones from a very early age. His mother, the late May Lyons, was a primary school teacher who taught in Bekan National School for many years, where she too was revered for her great wisdom and learning, while his brother, Fr. Des Fahey, was a most respected member of the teaching staff at St. Colman's College in Claremorris for several years.
In the school year 1963/64, Jarlath became the first lay teacher at the fledgling St. Patrick’s College on the Knock Road, where he taught geography, Irish, maths, history, religion and (for a short time) science.
He was also actively involved in promoting Gaelic football and athletics, training school teams at St. Patrick’s and in Ballyhaunis CS, where he was appointed principal in 1999 having served the school with great distinction since its foundation in 1977, and as vice-principal for a number of years under the leadership of the late Eddie Thornton.
His tenure as principal (1999-2004) coincided with a time of increasing immigration into Ireland and the school began to welcome children from a wide variety of nationalities and ethnic backgrounds. While this brought new challenges, Jarlath's steady leadership ensured a smooth and inclusive transition.
As teacher and principal, Jarlath served as a very fair and kind instructor, always having the best interests of the pupil at heart.
He possessed a wonderful and unique sense of humour, and I am sure that this vital trait came very much to the fore in his work as educator with the many diverse pupils who came under his leadership over those 40 years.
He had a great way about him and that unrivalled sense of humour endeared him to every student he taught down the years.
“Mike Byrne, what are you doing down there?”
“Nothing, sir!”
“Yes, that's what I'm afraid of!”
I can recall the quick-witted reply with such clarity from St. Pat's going back over 50 years!
FAMOUS VICTORY
Jarlath had a life-long interest in and passion for Gaelic games. He was a member of the Ballyhaunis team which captured the Mayo senior county championship with a famous victory over Ballina Stephenites back in 1958, with his neighbour from Lavallyroe, the late P.J. Moran, playing a captain's role in that win.
Jarlath’s brother, Fr. Frank, was a member of Ballyhaunis county minor championship-winning side of 1952 and played with the All-Ireland-winning Mayo minor football team in 1953.
In the years that followed, Jarlath continued to be of support to the local club as inspirational coach and a most efficient officer of the club, becoming involved in developing and looking after the underage structures. He was chair of Bord na nÓg for many years, and was also an ardent supporter of the county senior team and made numerous pilgrimages to Croke Park, often to experience the disappointment of failing at the final hurdle on many occasions.
Jarlath married the love of his life, the former Ita Ryan from Knock, in the summer of 1974. Together they had a loving bond of friendship for 52 years. Both Jarlath and Ita were active participants in so many activities in the local parish over those 50 years or so.
Ita was a member of the teaching staff at Scoil Íosa NS and a leading figure in the local parish choir, while Jarlath was a leading figure in the local St. Vincent de Paul Society where, as president, he always acted with compassion and empathy towards all who sought help and assistance from the local conference.
A man of immense faith, Jarlath lived this faith in his daily activities. He was so dedicated to his local parish, which he served and supported with full heart all his life.
He was a daily communicant and a regular reader of the Word of God almost to the end of his most fruitful life.
Last and by no means least of all, Jarlath was a most wonderful family man.
He was devoted to his wife Ita and his four children, for whom he was always on hand to give the best of counsel and advice as they each went on to choose their own paths along life's journey.
Jarlath's passing from the community leaves a tremendous void and a great sense of loss, not only in his own close-knit family but also among the many lives he embraced and touched during the many decades which he lived among us. May he now enjoy that just reward with his Maker, whom he served with such love and loyalty over so many years.
Deepest condolences are extended to his loving wife Ita, sons Donal (Cratloe, Co. Clare) and Frank (New Zealand), daughters Áine (Kilkenny) and Caitríona (Castlerea), 11 grandchildren, brother Fr. Frank (Ballintubber Abbey), sisters-in-law Ann and Mary, sons-in-law Kevin and Vincent, daughters-in-law Bríd and Nikki, relatives and friends.
Jarlath was laid to rest in Ballyhaunis Parish Cemetery following the Funeral Mass in St. Patrick's Church.
The chief celebrant was Fr. Stephen Farragher, P.P., joined by a number of con-celebrants, including Jarlath's brother, Fr. Frank Fahey, Fr. Des Walsh, former colleague of Jarlath's at St. Pat's and BCS, Fr. Brendan McGuinness, P.P., Bekan, Fr. Benny McHale, C.C., Athenry, former curate in Ballyhaunis, Fr. Martin O'Connor, retired P.P. of Kilvine and a former class-mate of Fr. Frank's, and Fr. Paddy Mooney, who served for many years in Knock Shrine with Fr. Frank.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.