Former principal is fondly remembered by Mayo college at special ceremony
Fr. Michael Lyons joined the staff of St. Colman’s College in 1946, one year after the college was founded in 1945 by Fr. John Colleran.
Fr. Lyons taught physics and science in the College until 1972 when he was appointed principal.
During his tenure as principal, he introduced many new subjects, especially practical subjects, to the school curriculum as well as overseeing many infrastructural developments.
He remained in that role until 1981 when he took up an appointment as Parish Priest of Lackagh, Co. Galway, remaining there until 1993 when he was appointed Curate in Kilbannon. Fr. Lyons remained in that post until June 2003.
Fr. Lyons was fondly remembered at a ceremony in St. Colman’s College.
When he left the college in 1981 his students and the Past Pupils Union presented him with a beautiful Tasco telescope.
This gift of a telescope acknowledged Fr. Lyons’ enormous interest in astronomy and also the esteem in which he was held by all who knew him in his role as a teacher and mentor in the college over many years.
Bridie Acton was Fr. Lyons’ housekeeper during his time in Kilbannon, Co. Galway.
She presented the telescope back to the science department of the college, saying that Fr. Lyons enjoyed many years of using it to observe the night skies after he left Claremorris.
She felt that it was fitting that it should now go back to the college whence it came so that present day students could begin to use it and enjoy it as much as Fr. Lyons did.
A large number or retired staff, as well as the present-day science teachers from the college, were present to witness Bridie Acton handing over the telescope to Mr. Michael Conerney who accepted it on behalf of the science department.
It was a very fitting tribute to Fr. Lyons and his legacy to the school in Claremorris where he was always held in such high regard.
The college has thanked Bridie Acton and Noel Higgins (a past-pupil of the college) for organising the event.
It was a lovely opportunity for former colleagues and friends of Fr. Lyons to meet once again and to remember him with fondness and enormous gratitude for his huge contribution to the school community in Claremorris.