Gerard McNally. R.I.P

It is with profound sadness that,  we remember Gerard McNally,  our dear colleague and friend in Our Lady’s Secondary School,  who passed away earlier today. As a whole school community we extend our sincere sympathies to his wife Rita and their four children, Adam, Caoimhe, Grace and Niamh, to his parents, siblings and his extended family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time.

Gerard began teaching music and religion in Our Lady’s in September 1999. Through his talents, his unwavering dedication to hard work and his innate ability to inspire others, he has touched the lives of all of our school community. He introduced music as a Leaving Cert subject and developed a thriving music department that continues today as one of the proudest aspects of our school. He was also responsible for introducing the first Transition Year school musical, ‘Grease’ in 2004, and was the main producer of many great school productions since then. For the students who were involved over the years, those experiences live on as very fond memories.

Gerard’s innate ability to connect with his students and his genuine commitment to their welfare are just some of the traits that will ensure that Gerard is remembered in the Erris community as “a great teacher”, whom the students were very fortunate to encounter.

It was with great dignity, fortitude and the support of his family that Gerard has faced his illness over the past few years and he always retained the ambition to return to teaching. Sadly, we now know that this day will not return, but Gerard, Rita and his children can rest assured that, his huge contribution to Our Lady’s school community will always be greatly appreciated by every person who was lucky enough to be a colleague, a friend or a student.   Gerard’s time on earth may have been short, but his influence and his legacy will continue for generations,

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.