Tributes paid to Offaly born maths teacher whose passion was hurling

It is with great sadness, that the family of the late John (Séan) Kinnarney pay him tribute.

He passed to his eternal reward, surrounded by his loving family at Tullamore General Hospital on November 1 last.

John grew up on the family farm of Andrew and Kathleen Kinnarney in Killurin. John had four sisters. Kathleen, Phyllis, Pauline, and Delores, his twin. He had two brothers Andrew and Pat Joe. John loved the farm where he learned all the essential skills of life. He milked cows, pulled sugar beet, cleaned sheds and used the trowel, from a young age. He helped his Mam in the kitchen making black currant Jam, baking Apple tarts and flipping pan cakes.

John attended Killurin National School where he made great friends with the neighbouring children. They bonded by playing hurling, picking nuts and apples after school and getting up to mischief as young boys do. From Killurin school he moved to Killeigh National School as smaller schools were been closed at the time. The children didn’t receive this decision lightly as they didn’t want to leave their native Killurin.

When asked by Mr Higgins, his teacher in Killeigh N.S., to write an essay about what he wanted to be when he grew up, he answered, a farmer. Mr Higgins, recognising his strong ability suggested to him to share his talents further, so he decided to pursue teaching. The move allowed him to mix with a larger number of children from Killeigh parish, where he later became actively involved in parish activity e.g. football, hurling, Macra super stars etc.

From Killeigh School, John moved to Tullamore CBS. Here the diversity of curriculum and students brought him more options. He had a passion for the science subjects and doing the experiments. He also had a great flare for maths. Years later John would meet Brother Rossiter in town and he would always remind him you are the boy who let the mouse out of the bell jar!

After completing his Leaving Certificate John moved to Maynooth University. Living away from home sharing house with students from all over the country was something John really enjoyed. He brought back the spuds and any other edibles he could find from home. John worked part time on the farm at Maynooth to earn extra pocket money to help get him through college. John graduated from Maynooth with a Degree in Bachelor of Science.

Having completed his third level education full time teacher posts weren’t easy to find in Ireland due to the economic downturn. John decided to move to London. John started teaching in Hackney and later moved to Cardinal Pole High school for boys. He shared his many talents with the children; hurling, teaching the sciences, and forensics. John played hurling with Robert Emmets and was also Club Secretary. John was also a member of the Offaly Sssociation London and took part in many of the St Patrick's Day Parades.

In 1990 he married his wife Elizabeth Bergin and in 1991 returned to Ireland and joined Old Bawn Community School staff. John enjoyed teaching at Old Bawn He loved the students and his many great colleagues. Again the sciences and maths, hurling green schooling. When the kids were waiting for him in the morning at the gate with the manure from the horses for the garden this gave him great joy. Lots of lovely vegetables and flowers appeared, including the tallest of sunflowers.

John and Elizabeth moved to Ardclough to live and start a family. John was also actively involved in the community here all things GAA and Scor, where his children started school. The family moved back to Killurin in 2008 as the green pastures of Killurin were never far from his mind. John continued to pursue his hurling interests, hurling and becoming part of the backroom team in Killurin.

He was actively involved in the amalgamation of the club with Killeigh which is now known as Clodiagh Gales. His biggest pride and joy was when Killurin completed the unprecedented European dream Junior cup final against the County of Europe in Den Hagg. He had one up on the other clubs in the area. I

Travel was another keen interest and he travelled far and near with his beloved family. He got to Canada, London, and Amsterdam to visit family during the last year. John encouraged his family Sean, Catherine, Eilish, and Clare in all their pursuits and was very proud of their achievements and accomplishments.

He was really proud to see his son Sean hurling and being part of winning European champions in Maastricht, not to mention his career success. He was very proud of his three ambitious daughters, for all pursuing their individual pathways with excellence.

God Bless you Sean, you are sorely missed.

Ar dheis De raibh an anaim uasal.

School Tribute

It was with profound sadness and regret that the passing of John Kinnarney was met by his loving family, colleagues , past and present, in Old Bawn community school, Tallaght, members of Dublin South 2 Branch, former students and a wide circle of friends particularly in  Dublin and Offaly, when news filtered through that John had passed away peacefully on Wednesday November 1st 2023  following a short but bravely fought illness. From the closely knit parish of Killurin, outside Tullamore in County Offaly, John had just recently retired in 2019 following 28 years of service in Old Bawn CS. A highly respected teacher of Maths, Physics and Science, John joined Old Bawn CS in1991 after several years teaching in Hackney, London.
A very active and dedicated long-serving ASTI member and annual convention delegate, John unselfishly gave freely of his time having served as school steward, branch chairperson/Vice-chair and secretary for Dublin South 2, as well as equality officer, and he also served on C.E.C. In addition, he also worked with several ASTI committees over the years.
Furthermore, he was always on hand to lend advice and encouragement to staff and students alike, particularly young teachers starting out, delivered in his own unique and humble manner.
John, or simply JK, was enormously popular in the Old Bawn staffroom and was renowned particularly for his love of hurling, coaching and managing many school teams over the years with which many successes were achieved and enjoyed. It always gave him enormous satisfaction to see young students pick up a hurl and take up the game.
Indeed, a lifelong love of education coupled with an unwavering commitment to hurling both in the school and in his beloved Offaly with his local club Clodiagh Gaels, endeared him to so many people from near and far. Moreover, while teaching in Hackney , John even arranged for hurls to be imported from Offaly so that young Londoners could learn to love the game!
Not a man either to miss a good staff trip or night out, John loved the school social occasions and was always great company. Stories of organising 'teacher group rates' into Coppers, were not exaggerated!!
He was unequivocally a very talented teacher, intelligent and witty, a great character, lovably mischievous, and as good a friend as anyone could wish for, a very proud Offaly man, a real diamond.
Above all though John was a dedicated family man and husband, and we extend our deepest and sincerest condolences to his close family, particularly to his loving wife Liz and children Sean, Catherine, Ailish and Claire.
John Kinnarney left an incredible legacy both with his loving family, his wide circle of friends and colleagues in Old Bawn CS , Dublin South 2 branch , and throughout the ASTI. His industry, initiative and inimitable style and personality will always be fondly remembered, missed and spoken of in the highest esteem, especially when hurling is mentioned!

Ar dheis de go raibh a anam uasal.

'When the final whistle for me has blown,
and I stand at last before God's judgement throne,
may the great referee when he calls my name,
say,
You played like a man,
You played the game'.

Brendan Horan,
Old Bawn CS , Dublin South 2.