THE late Susan O’Neill was remembered at Ballyea National School on Wednesday, when a bench in her memory was unveiled.
As secretary of the school Susan was a well known person in Ballyea and her former colleagues, her friends, her children, grandchildren and husband Michael were all present on the day.
“She was here for 20 years, so it definitely is poignant. The grandchildren are around today, all the school kids who made a major impression on her,” said Michael.
He said that one of the children who were confirmed recently had chosen the name Susan, which showed the esteem his late wife was held in.
Pupils sing “My Lovely Rose Of Clare” at the unveiling of a Garden Bench in memory of Ballyea NS former secretary, the late Susan O Neill, who had worked there for twenty years. Photograph by John Kelly
Michael O Neill looks on as pupils sing “My Lovely Rose Of Clare” in tribute at the unveiling of a Garden Bench in memory of his late wife, Ballyea NS former secretary, Susan O Neill. Photograph by John Kelly
School principal Martin Mc Mahon speaking at the unveiling of a Garden Bench in memory of Ballyea NS former secretary, the late Susan O Neill, who had worked there for twenty years. Photograph by John Kelly
An emotional time for friends and relatives at the unveiling of a Garden Bench in memory of Ballyea NS former secretary, the late Susan O Neill, who had worked there for twenty years. Photograph by John Kelly
Pupil Kayla O’Connor who took Susan’s name for her confirmation speaking at the unveiling of a Garden Bench in memory of Ballyea NS former secretary, the late Susan O Neill, who had worked there for twenty years. Photograph by John Kelly
A Garden Bench in memory of Ballyea NS former secretary, the late Susan O Neill, who worked there for twenty years, was unveiled at Ballyea NS. Our picture shows Susan’s husband Michael, son Shane, daughters Tara and Michelle, with grandchildren Sophie O Neill, Faye Lynch, Chloe Lynch, Tiernan O Looney, Ryan O Looney and Charlie O Neill unveiling the memorial. Photograph by John Kelly
A Garden Bench in memory of Ballyea NS former secretary, the late Susan O Neill, who worked there for twenty years, was unveiled at Ballyea NS. Our picture shows Susan’s husband Michael, son Shane, daughters Tara and Michelle, with grandchildren Sophie O Neill, Faye Lynch, Chloe Lynch, Tiernan O Looney, Ryan O Looney and Charlie O Neill unveiling the memorial watched by principal Martin Mc Mahon. Photograph by John Kelly
A Garden Bench in memory of Ballyea NS former secretary, the late Susan O Neill, who worked there for twenty years, was unveiled at Ballyea NS. Our picture shows Susan’s husband Michael addressing the gathering as their grandchildren; Sophie O Neill, Faye Lynch, Chloe Lynch, Tiernan O Looney, Ryan O Looney and Charlie O Neill look on while they sit on the new bench. Photograph by John Kelly
A Garden Bench in memory of Ballyea NS former secretary, the late Susan O Neill, who worked there for twenty years, was unveiled at Ballyea NS. Our picture shows Susan’s daughter Tara making a presentation to pupil Keelin Coleman, who designed the logo for the South for Susan and Antoinette Malin to Mizen Charity Cycle tee shirts. Photograph by John Kelly
A Garden Bench in memory of Ballyea NS former secretary, the late Susan O Neill, who worked there for twenty years, was unveiled at Ballyea NS. Our picture shows Susan’s husband Michael, sin Shane and daughters Tara and Michelle, with grandchildren Sophie O Neill, Faye Lynch, Chloe Lynch, Tiernan O Looney, Ryan O Looney and Charlie O Neill. Photograph by John Kelly
A Garden Bench in memory of Ballyea NS former secretary, the late Susan O Neill, who worked there for twenty years, was unveiled at Ballyea NS. Our picture shows the inscription on the bench which reads “Never Give Up”, one of Susan’s favourite sayings. Photograph by John Kelly
“She took Susan as her name and that epitomised what Susan meant to the school and to the kids who went to the school.
An awful lot of 18 to 20-year-olds came to the house, during and after the funeral, whose lives she had touched.
“She meant a lot to a lot of people, and she helped and influenced a lot of people along the way.”
Recalling his late wife’s personality, Michael added, “Susan had great respect for everyone and she had massive faith as well. Not just faith from a religious point of view, which she did, but also faith in people.”
He said that while the occasion was an emotional one, it was a very nice way for her to remember.
School principal Martin McMahon said that Susan had made a great contribution to the community of Ballyea and to the school.
“I worked with Susan for nine years, she was here when I started 11 years ago. She was a very dedicated, professional person, who had a great sense of community, and a great involvement in the sporting life of Ballyea, there was great pride in how well the Ballyea hurlers did.
“She was a very efficient secretary and had great friends in the area. All the staff and the parents miss her a great deal.
“We’re thinking about Susan now and the bench is to commemorate all her involvement with our parish and our school.
“It’s great to see her grandchildren now attending the school, Susan was lucky that she was here to see two of her grandchildren start school with us.”
A fundraising cycle from Malin Head to Mizen will be held during the first week of June in memory of Susan and of Antoinette Pender from Quilty.
The event is titled ‘South for Susan & Antoinette’ and the selected charities are Slainte An Chlair and Cancer Care West.
Susan’s husband Michael and Antoinette’s husband Jamsie are both participating, as are Susan’s son Shane, Marie, Claire and Sheila Haugh (Coolmeen), Noel Keane (Kilmaley), Liam Duggan (Doora/Barefield), Michael Clancy (Lissycasey), Jason Ryan (Kilrush), Stevie Malone (Kilnaboy) and Martin O’Donoghue (Corofin).
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked with a number of other publications in Limerick, Cork and Galway. His first book will be published in December 2024.
