The Dowd brothers’ long teaching service leaves a lasting legacy

When the final bell rang at the end of the last school term, it marked the end of an era in two local primary schools.

Ger and Kieran Dowd, two brothers from farming and teaching stock in Friaryland, Creggs, retired from education, ending almost 90 years of combined teaching service.

Both served as long-standing principals, transforming the schools during their time there. Ger spent more than 45 years teaching, 25 years of those as principal of Creggs NS on the Galway/Roscommon border while younger brother Kieran spent 42 years in education, 31 of those as principal of Tarmon NS outside Castlerea.

Their long teaching careers, encompassing so much even beyond the classroom, have followed remarkably similar paths.

For Ger, that journey began in 1980 when he started teaching at Gortnadieve National School. Two years later, he became part of the staff at the new Creggs National School following the amalgamation of four small rural schools.

He moulded his teaching years among many great colleagues, including the late, great Galway footballer Mattie McDonagh, who he succeeded as principal in 2001 following Mattie’s retirement.

Meanwhile, Kieran’s path initially took him further afield. After qualifying, he spent a few years teaching in Dundalk before returning west and securing a position at a primary school in Ballaghaderreen. He taught there for nine years before being appointed principal of Tarmon National School in 1995, spending the next 31 years guiding the school through a period of expansion.

The Dowd brothers clearly view education as something that extends beyond the classroom. To them, schools are central pillars of rural life, a perspective forged from growing up in a rural area. “The school wasn’t separate from the village. It was at the centre of everything,” Ger explains.

Their leadership style revolved around teamwork and colleagues dedicated to a common cause. “Our success at school, mine and Ger’s, was because we surrounded ourselves with great staff,” outlines Kieran.

While the Creggs and Tarmon schools successfully expanded facilities under their tenure, it’s also very evident that inclusion has been one of the defining achievements of the Dowd’s respective careers.

For Ger, the story became deeply personal following the birth of his daughter Caoimhe in 2002. Born with severe and profound additional needs, she opened her family’s eyes to the educational challenges faced by many children and parents throughout rural Ireland. “There really wasn’t a roadmap,” Ger recalls.

Determined to create opportunities closer to home for families like his own, he successfully led efforts to establish a special class in Creggs National School in 2008. What began as a pioneering initiative grew steadily over the years and more special classes followed, attracting families from across Galway and Roscommon.

The facilities at the school now also include a hydrotherapy pool, sensory rooms, an astroturf pitch and a large hall, which continues to be central to community activity.

The school’s service provision also extends into July, providing an extra month of special tuition for children, which incorporates a big element of fun. This fully staffed initiative also provides respite opportunity for parents.

In August 2014, Kieran explains that he received a phone call from a Special Educational Needs Organiser asking whether Tarmon National School would consider opening a special class. A positive answer came without hesitation. Part of that confidence came from what he had witnessed in his brother’s school.

“I saw what happened in Creggs. I saw how it inspired everybody and the positive impact it had on all the students,” he says.

Kieran’s own children attended Creggs primary school, giving him first-hand insight into how inclusion could enrich an entire school community. Under Kieran’s leadership at Tarmon school, special education provision expanded significantly. The school’s autism centre is now supported by a dedicated team of class teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs). 

The two brothers believe that the school environment extends far beyond the pupils directly involved. Kieran points to former students returning as teachers and SNAs, bringing with them a heightened sense of empathy and understanding. “I think having special classes encourages a caring nature from a young age,” he says.

For Ger, inclusion was never simply an educational policy. It was about ensuring that every child had an opportunity to belong within their own community. “It’s about giving children a chance to attend school in their own communities.”

Sport has remained a constant presence in their lives. They have been involved in a range of sports, including Gaelic football and rugby, representing their local clubs over many years. Ger has also represented Roscommon at senior intercounty level while both continue to play an active role in Creggs RFC, where Ger currently serves as director of rugby.

Coaching has also been a major passion for Ger throughout his sporting life. His GAA achievements include coaching at both intercounty and club level across many grades. For them, sport teaches lessons that carry into all areas of life, not least teamwork and friendship.

Throughout every reference to their careers, both return to the contributions of colleagues, parents, boards of management, local communities and many other stakeholders. Ger insists that initiatives such as Creggs’ special classes were only possible because of the collective efforts of teachers, SNAs and families.

Kieran similarly attributes Tarmon school’s success to the quality of people around him. Reflecting on their years of service, both Ger and Kieran pay tribute to the many who have contributed to the success of their respective schools.

Ger is keen to reference Olivia Smith, who served as secretary of Creggs National School throughout his 25 years as principal. He also fondly remembers teaching staff during his early years as a teacher at the school, namely Julia Crean, Mamie Gavin and Mattie McDonagh. He also thanks school vice-principal Fiona Brandon for her commitment and contribution to the school community.

Ger acknowledges the support of the parish priests who served in Creggs during his tenure while expressing gratitude for the unstinted backing of the local community, including local clubs and organisations.

He also paid tribute to his wife Helen and children Shane, Ronan, Caoimhe and Ciara for their huge support during his years at the school.

Brother Kieran paid particular tribute to Marie Baggott, who served as deputy principal at Tarmon NS for 27 years. He also remembered former colleagues Deirdre Dennedy and Áine Gallagher (Betagh), who he said passed away far too soon, and recognised the dedicated service of long-serving secretaries Mary Ryan and Aileen McGreal. Kieran thanked caretakers Tommy and Annette Finan for their loyal service and expressed deep appreciation to his wife Monica and their children, Eoin, Mark and Éabha for their unwavering support.

Looking to the future, he wished new principal Lorraine Connolly and deputy principal Áine Roddy every success in their new roles.

Both expressed sincere thanks to the many teachers, SNAs, support staff and school personnel with whom they worked throughout their careers. They paid tribute to the successive Boards of Management, chairpersons, local families and members of the community whose support helped shape school life over the years.

As they now look forward to well-earned retirement, Ger and Kieran acknowledge that the education landscape has changed dramatically since they first entered the profession.

However, despite the many challenges and changes now facing children, including the prevalence of social media, they still believe children are no different from previous generations. “I’ve found that children are still children,” Ger asserts. “They’re as good, as caring and as supportive as ever.”

With their teaching years now behind them, Ger and Kieran leave a remarkable legacy which will continue to be felt for years to come.