A Fond Farewell for Bernie McAuliffe

The Royal Hotel, Killarney was the location for the formal retirement of Bernie McAuliffe after thirty-one years’ service to Millstreet Community School. Bernie was joined by family members and staff, both current and retired to mark the occasion. It was a night of celebration and memories, a chance to catch up with former staff who had given a life of service to the school and pupils of the locality.

Jennifer O’Donoghue spoke on behalf of the staff and remarked how Bernie, during the course of her career had taught twelve subjects. Each class was prepared with meticulous dedication, and many were project based which was a feat in itself. There are plenty of former students who were very glad of the extra sixty points gained through the LCVP class.

Today, people change careers or places of work on a regular basis and statistics tell us that a student starting work in 2026 will change jobs at least eight times in their lifetime. Bernie, with the exception of one year in Mallow spent all her teaching career in Millstreet. That is a testament to her and to the calibre of student in MCS.

The night was further graced by a recitation of a twenty-one-verse poem by our own bard in residence, Chris Horan whose attention to detail both in style, rhyme and delivery provided a humorous conclusion to the night.

Bernie thanked the staff for the great sendoff and remarked that the collegiality and support which she received through the years was second to none. Following presentations by the Board of Management and Staff, (current and retired), Bernie was presented with a rather splendid platter made by former art teacher, Barry Fraiser. Memories are made on such occasions, and it is good to mark a retirement of a life’s service.

We wish Mrs McAuliffe well in her retirement and we thank her for all the time, energy and dedication which she devoted to the students of Millstreet Community School for the last thirty-one-years.