Agus Colaiste Chilliain ag ullmhú chun slán a fhágáil le Feargal Ó Giolláin, déanaimid amhlaidh le mórmheas, buíochas ó chroí, agus brón domhain. Tar éis fiche bliain den scoth a chaitheamh mar Phríomhoide, tá sé anois ag imeacht ar scor atá tuillte go mór aige ach beidh lorg a oidhreachta le braith i bpobal na scoile seo go fada an lá.
As Coláiste Chilliain prepares to bid farewell to Feargal Ó Giolláin, we do so with immense admiration, deep gratitude, and a profound sadness. After twenty remarkable years as Principal, he now steps into a well-earned retirement, leaving behind an indelible mark on our school community.
Is iardhalta bródúil de chuid Choláiste Eoin é Feargal. Léiríonn a thuras acadúil an dúil leanúnach a bhí aige san oideachas agus an paisean do theangacha. Bhain sé céim Bhaitsiléara amach sa Pholaitíocht agus sa Ghearmáinis in Ollscoil na hÉireann, Baile Átha Cliath sa bhliain 1989, agus Ard-Dioplóma san Oideachas ina dhiaidh sin i 1991. Thug a thiomantas don tumoideachas teanga agus cultúrtha go dtí an Ghearmáin é ansin ar feadh bliana, áit ar fheabhsaigh a mháistreacht ar an teanga agus a d’fhorbair sé an éifeachtúlacht chiúin sin a bheadh mar bhunchloch dá stíl cheannaireachta—eagraithe, tráthúil, agus thar a bheith iontaofa. Ar a fhilleadh ar Éirinn, chríochnaigh sé Máistreacht sa Pholaitíocht i 1993, Ard- Dioplóma i mBainistíocht Oideachais i 1995, agus Máistreacht san Oideachas i 1999.
A proud graduate of Coláiste Eoin, Feargal ‘s academic journey reflects his relentless pursuit of knowledge and passion for languages. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Politics and German from University College Dublin in 1989, followed by a Higher Diploma in Education in 1991. His commitment to linguistic and cultural immersion took him to Germany for a year, where he refined not only his command of the language but also a quiet efficiency that would later shape his unique leadership style—orderly, timely, and thoroughly dependable. On his return to Ireland, he completed a Masters in Politics in 1993, followed by a Higher Diploma in Educational Management (1995) and a Masters in Education (1999).
Chuir Colaiste Chilliain fáilte roimh Fheargail den chéad uair mar mhúinteoir Gearmáinise sa bhliain 1994, agus fiú ag an bpointe sin bhí sé soiléir go raibh duine speisialta romhainn—múinteoir a raibh meascán uathúil d’intleachta, ionracais agus cineáltais aige agus múinteoir a chinntigh i gcónaí go raibh an fhócas dírithe ar na daltaí agus ar a bhfoghlaim. Ba ghnáthrud é Feargal a fheiceáil ag feidhmiú sa scoil trí theangacha éagsúla ar na pasáistí —ag tosú maidine le “Guten Morgen” agus “Maidin mhaith”—nó ag mealladh comhghleacaithe lena ghreann tirim sa seomra foirne agus cinnte thug sé carasma modhúil chuig gach a ndearna sé.
Coláiste Chilliain first had the pleasure of welcoming Feargal as a German teacher in 1994, and even then, it was clear that this was someone special—a múinteoir with a unique blend of intellect, integrity and warmth, who always ensured that the focus remained firmly on the students and their learning. Whether navigating school life in multiple languages—often beginning the morning with a “Guten Morgen” followed by a “Maidin mhaith”—or charming colleagues with his dry wit, Feargal brought an understated charisma to all that he did.
I 2004, bhog Feargal go Coláiste de hÍde, agus tar éis seal gairid mar Leas-Phríomhoide ann, ceapadh é mar Phríomhoide. Mar ómós cuí, dúirt comhghleacaí agus iar-Phríomhoide Choláiste de hÍde, Deiric Mac an Bhaird, go bhfaca sé ‘ceannaireacht tréithrithe Fheargail, a dhílseacht gan staonadh, a chúram , agus an meas i gcónaí do gach uile dhuine mórthimpeall air.’ Ina theannta sin mhínigh sé gur chruthaigh sé ‘timpeallacht bunaithe ar mhuinín agus ar bharrfheabhas’. I 2014, agus an roth ag casadh go hiomlán, d’fhill Feargal ar Colaiste Chilliain mar Phríomhoide, ag tabhairt a thaithí shaibhir, a fhís ghrinn agus cúram domhain don phobal seo leis.
In 2004, he moved to Coláiste de hÍde and after a brief tenure as Deputy Principal, was quickly appointed as Principal. In a fitting tribute former colleague and Principal of Coláiste de hÍde, Deiric Mac an Bhaird, described Feargal’s leadership as ‘marked by unwavering loyalty, genuine care, and a deep respect for all those around him’ while also adding that ‘he cultivated an environment of trust and a striving for excellence.’ In 2014, in a full-circle moment, he returned to Coláiste Chilliain as an Príomhoide, bringing with him a wealth of experience, vision, and a deep-rooted care for this community.
Le linn a chuid ama linn, stiúir Feargal go cothrom, le solúbthacht agus le díograis leanúnach i leith na foghlama agus na forbartha i gcónaí. Feiceann sé luach gach duine agus tá cáil air ní hamháin mar phríomhoide a bhfuil aithne aige ar ainmneacha na ndaltaí ar fad, ach mar dhuine a thuigeann cé hiad féin i ndáiríre—a gcuid láidreachtaí, dúshláin, agus nósanna beaga. Ar cheann de na traidisiúin ba ghile a bhí aige ná ainmneacha na ndaltaí ar fad a fhoghlaim ar thuras bliantúil chuig an nGaeltacht le lucht na céad bliana—ceithre huaire an chloig ag cur aithne ar a cheile ar an mbus agus ag leagan amach na bonnchlocha do na blianta a bhí amach rompu. Is minic a chonacthas Feargal freisin ar na turais sciála don Idirbhliain, áit a ndéarfadh sé féin nach raibh sé “ró-mhaith”—ach a mbeadh a mhalairt le feiceáil ag an gcuid is mó againn agus é ag gluaiseacht go muiníneach síos na fánaí (bhuel, an chuid is mó den am ar aon chaoi!).
Throughout his time with us, Feargal has led with fairness, adaptability and a deep commitment to continuous learning and development. He sees the value of every individual and is renowned not just for knowing students’ names but also knowing who they really are—their strengths, difficulties, and quirks. One of his many cherished traditions was learning the names of all incoming first years by joining them on the annual Gaeltacht trip to Achill—four hours of bonding on the road and setting the tone for the years ahead. Feargal has also been known to frequent the annual Transition Year ski trips, where his modest claim of “not being that good” never quite matches the graceful figure many of us witness gliding confidently down the slopes (well most of the time anyways!)
Seasann an mórtas agus an bród leanúnach atá ag Feargal dá theanga agus dá chultúr go díreach le héiteas Choláiste Chilliain. Mar bhaill de Dháil Chrónáin, bhí sé páirteach i bhfeachtas a bhain stádas Líonra Gaeilge amach do Chluain Dolcáin. Bhí an Campas Lán-Ghaeilge nua-thionscanta—campas a thabharfaidh trí scoil áitiúla le chéile sa gceantar céanna; Coláiste Chilliain, Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin agus Gaelscoil na Camóige—mar bhunchloch den fhís a bhí ag an bhfeachtas sin. Ina theannta sin, tá Feargal ina bhall gníomhach de Líonra Gaeilge an ETBI agus léiríonn sé tiomantas láidir ina róil mar Chathaoirleach ar fho-choiste Gaeilge an NAPD agus mar Rúnaí ar an CPT.
Feargal’s love for Irish culture and language is not simply him echoing Coláiste Chilliain’s ethos—it is his ethos. A tireless advocate for Gaeilge, he was involved in a campaign that saw Clondalkin achieve a Líonra Gaeilge status. A cornerstone of that vision was the newly initiated Campas Lán-Ghaeilge, a purpose-built Irish-language campus that will bring together three local schools in one area; Coláiste Chilliain, Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin and Gaelscoil na Camóige. Feargal is an active member of the ETBI’s Líonra Gaeilge and he demonstrates deep commitment to his roles as Cathaoirleach ar fho-choiste Gaeilge an NAPD and Secretary of the CPT.
Caithfear a rá gur i rith na gcruachásanna ba mhó a léirigh ceannaireacht Fheargail a fhíor-luach. Gan dabht, bhí neart ‘nósanna Gearmánacha’ ina chur chuige: bhí gach rud déanta i gceart, déanta go maith, agus déanta in am—ach faoin dromchla sin, bhí cineáltas agus umhlaíocht a tharraing meas air agus a mheall daoine chuige. Ó athchóirithe na Sraithe Sóisearaigh, go dúshláin phaindéim COVID-19, go heachtraí criticiúla i bpobal na scoile, choinnigh Feargal Colaiste Chilliain nasctha, socair agus ag mothú go raibh an tacaíocht ann a bhí ag teastáil mar gheall ar a chur chuige seasmhach, cumarsáid shoiléir, an bá a léirigh sé agus an fíor-chúram. Thug sé aghaidh ar gach dúshlán le díograis chiúin agus le cuspóir ghlan—i gcónaí ag cur leas na ndaltaí chun tosaigh.
Undoubtedly, Feargal’s leadership shone brightest in moments of challenge. There was undeniably a certain Germanic precision to his style: things were done right, done well, and done on time but underpinning it all was a kindness and humility that made him deeply respected and warmly received. From the reforms of the Junior Cycle to the trials of the COVID-19 pandemic, to critical incidents within our school community, his steady approach, clear communication, empathy and genuine care ensured Coláiste Chilliain remained connected, calm, and supported. He met every challenge with quiet determination and a clear sense of purpose—always putting the students’ welfare at the forefront.
In 2022, sheas Feargal go bródúil linn chun ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar 40 bliain de Colaiste Chilliain—cloch mhíle i stair na scoile seo, scoil a raibh lámh mhór ag Feargal ina múnlú.
Anois, agus muid ag fágáil slán leis agus é ag dul ar aghaidh chuig eachtraí nua, deirimid:
A Fheargail, go n-éirí an bóthar leat agus go raibh míle maith agat.
Guímid saol fada, sláinte mhaith agus gach rath ort sa todhchaí.
In 2022, Feargal stood proudly with us to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Coláiste Chilliain, marking a milestone in the history of a school he helped shape so profoundly. Now as we bid farewell to him and he moves on to new adventures— we say;
A Fheargail, go n-éirí an bóthar leat.
May the road rise to meet you Feargal
Go raibh míle maith agat, guímid saol fada, sláinte mhaith agus gach rath ort sa todhchaí.
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