Tag Archives: Maureen Cronin

TRIBUTES have been paid to the late Maureen Cronin who passed away at her home in Ennis in her 105th year this week. The pioneering educator, talented musician and avid writer was not only well-known in her adopted home-town of Ennis, but she also rose to national prominence. She appeared on radio and television including RTÉ’s Nationwide in 2014, as well as 2015’s The Local Eye where she was seen on one of her regular visits to The Clare Champion offices. She was born Maureen O’Carroll on Christmas night 1916 in Toureenfineen, Rockchapel, County Cork and grew up in a house surrounded by music. After school she trained as a teacher, and on marrying her beloved husband Seán she blazed a trail by defying the marriage ban on women teachers. In 2014, she was honoured at the 2014 Hidden Hearing Heroes Awards for the part she played in getting the ban lifted, becoming a test case for the INTO Teachers’ …

MAUREEN Cronin, a woman of indomitable spirit, had more birthday cards than Christmas cards to open this year. The writer and poet turned 100 on Christmas Day but hosted her big party a few days earlier in the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis. Surrounded by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a big number of other family members and friends, Maureen enjoyed a wonderful occasion. Born on December 25, 1916 in the musical and cultural heartland of Sliabh Luachra, the former Maureen O’Carroll made history in the education system when she defied the marriage ban for women by carrying on working for 12 months without pay, then continuing her career until well after the ban was eventually lifted in 1958. When Maureen married Sean Cronin, she wast teaching in County Limerick. After she was married, she went back to the school and continued to work without receiving a salary. For many she was a pioneer but in an interview a couple …

‘LEGEND’ Maureen Cronin was given two standing ovations by delegates at the annual INTO Congress when the 99-year-old was honoured for defying the marriage ban and working for a year without pay in Mountcollins National School, County Limerick. Kerry-born, Maureen  taught for many years before marrying in 1950 and immediately came under the marriage ban. However, Maureen continued to work for almost a year before being told if she continued she would be removed by the gardaí. Maureen subsequently worked in temporary jobs before taking up a permanent job in a private school in Castlecomer. She moved to Rockchapel, County Cork after the ban was lifted in 1958 and has resided in Ennis in her retirement. The appreciative audience of INTO delegates welcomed Maureen when INTO president Sean McMahon told them ” a legend has entered the room” and during his speech showed their appreciation with two standing ovations. Maureen told The Clare Champion that she never expected to receive the reception she got …

ENNIS woman, Maureen Cronin from Mountain View has proven that age is no barrier when honoured at the 2014 Hidden Hearing Heroes Awards ceremony in Dublin which celebrate those who made a significant, and often unheralded, contribution to society. RTE personality Brenda Donohue presented the 92-year-old with the ‘Age Is No Barrier Award’. Maureen was recognised for having played a key role in getting the marriage ban lifted for school teachers in 1950s Ireland. She became a test case for the INTO Teachers’ Union when she defied the ban and carried on teaching in Limerick for a full year without pay, then continuing her career until well after the ban was eventually lifted in 1958. Proving that age is no barrier, the Kerry native delivers parish newsletters to the local shops, writes poetry for The Clare Champion and plays several musical instruments at parish events. She was also featured on RTE’s programme Nationwide recently. Speaking at the function Brenda Donohue, RTE said, …

MAUREEN Cronin, whose poetry appears regularly in The Clare Champion, will be featured on RTÉ’s Nationwide on Monday evening next, immediately after the Six One News.   The slot follows Maureen on her usual Thursday trail in Ennis, which includes collecting the parish bulletins for distribution to neighbours, delivering her poem to the ‘Champion, and on the library to talk to Coláiste Mhuire students. The programme has been packaged by RTE reporter, Teresa Mannion and cameraman, Jim Wylde from Ennis.

WELL known Ennis-based writer, Maureen Cronin, wanted to be only one thing as a child – a teacher. So, it was no surprise to her family when she went on to secure a scholarship, allowing her to attend Our Lady of Mercy College, Carysfort, Blackrock to qualify as a national school teacher. However, after teaching in many schools after her graduation, falling in love could have meant the end of her time in the classroom. The introduction of the marriage ban in 1933 meant any female teacher who married after the rule came into force, had to give up their permanent job. That wasn’t to be for Maureen, who defied convention by carrying on working for 12 months without pay, then continuing her career until well after the ban was eventually lifted in 1958. For many she was a pioneer, but the mother-of-four modestly says she was only able to take this dramatic step because she had the means to …