Retired West Cork teacher Joe receives prestigious Inspire award

A retired teacher from West Cork has been named one of four teachers across Ireland to receive the prestigious Teachers Inspire Ireland Desmond Award.

At a special ceremony at Dublin City University hosted by RTÉ broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan, a former teacher at Carrigboy National School in West Cork, Joe O’Driscoll, was awarded for the inspirational role he played in the lives of his students.

Jill Farrell, of St Nessan’s National School in Mungret, Limerick, Meg Offiah, of Our Lady of Mercy College, in Beaumont, Dublin, and Ursula O’Mahoney, of St Senan’s National School, in Enniscorthy, Wexford, were also honoured.

Nominated

Mr O’Driscoll was nominated by a past student, Ellen Sommers, who said that she struggled to fit in at school, recalling Mr O’Driscoll’s help in making her feel like she was enough and reminding her not to shrink herself for others.

“I felt a constant whisper of ‘keep being you’ from him,” Ms Sommers said. “When I left for secondary school, I remember crying to my mother, because I was so scared of being bullied without his presence.”

“He never forced me to play GAA or feel like I had to fit in. I was simply enough. That’s a lot for a teacher to give a nine-year-old.”

Ms Sommers, who is about to graduate with a master’s at Columbia University, attributes a lot of her life and academic achievements to Mr O’Driscoll.

Celebrates

Teachers Inspire is an Ireland-wide initiative organised by Dublin City University that celebrates teachers and the transformative role they play in communities.

Acclaimed author Louise O’Neill returned as curator and host of the Teachers Inspire Podcast, where she spoke to influential educators.

The Teachers Inspire initiative is supported by a philanthropic donation from Dermot Desmond, who said he believes that teachers are the heroes of society.

“Teachers had a profound impact on my own life, and the difference they make to the lives of children and young people across Ireland is nothing short of remarkable,” Mr Desmond said.

Executive dean of Dublin City University’s Institute of Education, Professor Anne Looney, said: “Teachers have an incredible impact on the lives of children and these awards shine a light on those who go above and beyond every day.”