In this week’s Third Degree Jim O’Sullivan, Secretary of Donegal Bridge Congress talks about his journey from Cork all the way to Donegal, teaching in St Eunan’s College and how he keeps busy in his retirement.
Hi Jim, how are you? Could you tell us a little bit about yourself please?
I was born in Cork in 1947, the toughest winter on record, known as the Long Snow, lasting from January to late March, or so I’ve often been told. Whenever I could I travelled, hitching and hostelling in Ireland/Britain/Western Europe. In 1969 I was offered teaching posts in Wexford and Donegal VEC; I had never been to Donegal so I opted for the latter. Hard to believe but communications for the job had been by telegram. Off to Letterkenny by train to Dublin, then CIE bus (leaking window) to Donegal. I have a vivid memory of seeing my first B Special in Newtownstewart. Murderous trouble and destruction were on the increase in the North, I was one of the apprehensive curious making occasional trips by bus to Derry for a first-hand view.
Coming from the deep south I was surprised that people I interacted with usually attempted to discover what a person’s religion was. I like to think that kind of tribalism has very much decreased. I stayed in Donegal 1969 to 1971, benefitting from working under two very humane decent people, Mr. Cryan CEO Donegal VEC and Paddy McGeehin the headmaster of Letterkenny Tech. I met and married Patricia from Glenswilly – her nephew Neil Gallagher overwhelmed Cork single-handedly in a Croke Park football quarter final…
Patricia agreed to go with me on contract with the British Government Overseas Development Agency to East Africa, firstly Uganda where Amin had just seized power, then Kenya. I returned to Ireland in 1976 with children Eoghan and Ita, neither being eligible for a Ugandan or Kenyan passport. Fr. Lafferty, then principal of St. Eunan’s College took a chance and offered me a post on probation there. I had only once been inside the school before that. I was active in the Letterkenny Vocational Players and was asked to approach the principal of Eunan’s with a view to using the famous Recreation hall. I did so and met Fr McMahon – years later I would play some poker and much Bridge in his company. Verdict: not so great at Poker but a razor-sharp Bridge player.
Do you miss the old St Eunan’s teaching job? Does teaching look more difficult now than it once was?
Teaching of course means interacting with people, chemistry so very important. I hope for the students who had to put up with me I succeeded more than failed. Only natural I suppose to remember the highly academic and the cohort of students who for one reason or another did not/would not toe the official line. I have many memories of humorous incidents in the classroom and corridors, not to mention the Study Hall, yes Study in solemn silence. Ahem.
It is so obvious to me now that there are different types of abilities/brain power. It’s great to see ex-students who did not shine academically but whose belief in themselves has seen them succeed. These latter especially in 5th/6th year were usually the ones to take a hand again in a humorous way, against the likes of me.
Two major changes occurred in Eunan’s, corporal punishment was banned by the state (not before time) and boarding came to an end. In my early days in Eunan’s some colleagues did carry a strap with them but not us “younger” ones.
I imagine Covid caused a huge shock to such interchange, also the growth in numbers of both pupils and staff must result in less chance of camaraderie. The emergence of more empowerment to each individual to assess themselves in society must make teaching today even more in need of patient measured responses.
As an aside I think children of post-primary teachers in towns like Letterkenny must have it tough at times. Eoghan and Ita were followed by pure Donegalians Emer & Aidan – all are wanderers, though surprisingly Ita is now the only one resident in Donegal. A piece of homespun philosophy: having grandchildren reinforces the ethos of unconditional love.
In a large school with lots of students and relatively few teachers, is there an under-siege “band of brothers” feeling at times? Do retired teachers share a bond into retirement?
There was a great spirit of togetherness among a squad of us teachers of similar age, likewise the staff had three major social outings in the year. Two at Christmas: lay members hosted a night in a hotel, priests reciprocated last Friday of the Christmas term. Then at the end of summer term staff and partners had a night out.
A group of us retirees meet regularly for coffee. Being ex teachers some of us don’t try hard enough to stop talking over others, slagging is a major force of ego-battering.
You’re currently secretary of the Donegal Bridge Congress. What does that mean for you?
I always had outside interests: drama, sport, and my family in Cork always played cards. I went to Bridge lessons run by Eithne McLaughlin RIP, in Letterkenny. This year the Donegal Bridge community are holding our 46th International Bridge Congress, founding members include Micky Gallagher (Killybegs) RIP, Peter McLoone (Letterkenny) RIP, and Paddy Carr (Stanorlar) RIP.
As secretary of the Congress I try to coordinate various strands, and am lucky to have the advice of previous office holders and especially appreciate the work of designated role players. The Congress takes place in the Abbey and Central Hotels in Donegal Town.
Bridge in Donegal has been good to me, I have been involved in its administration and was honoured to be elected National President of the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland 2017/18 season. Incidentally clubs traditionally reopen in September, most close in May – but Carndonagh and Moville play throughout the year.
What’s so different about Bridge as a game? It’s not generally seen as a cosy tea break game like 25, nor as a more edgy game like Poker.
Bridge is well organised throughout Ireland under the aegis of the CBAI. Google will show you the 14 Bridge clubs here in the Northern Donegal Bridge Region. There are varieties of Bridge: Contract Bridge is played in clubs both face to face and online (results are compared to see what pair has done best with identical 13 cards each); Rubber Bridge is played at home with just 4 people, 1 pair versus the other.
In a sense getting better at Bridge is like learning a language. It helps if your partner is as keen as you and has good manners – not giving out because you did or did not lead an ace or whatever.
CBAI has a grading system from Novice to Grand Master, but remember the advice “I played golf a lot but only when I realised I was never going to be World Champion did I then really enjoy it”. Pat McDevitt from Glenswilly, a St Eunan’s old boy now living in Boston is a Bridge World Champion.
Obviously I like playing cards, Bridge in particular.
Through playing I have got to know and befriend people across the county. I am fascinated by accents so that stops me talking at times.
Is it a coup having the Congress in Donegal?
Covid meant we ran the Congress online for two years but Donegal Bridge Congress is synonymous with social activity resulting in us going live last year and again this weekend. Costing is always an issue, we are grateful always to our sponsors, this year as with other tourist towns in Ireland accommodation hurdles have emerged impacting on promises of participation.
Is it only for participants, or are spectators welcome? Or are audiences just not, ahem, part of the deal?
Visitors are welcome to observe the games and to participate in the social events such as the Fashion Show, the Q&A session by an expert player, the social dance, Reception/Prize Giving. You can Google Donegal Bridge Congress for full details. Speaking of experts, the Irish international team’s performance history is excellent. Venues rotate round the globe. CBAI website gives an insight on this.
Does Bridge take up a lot of your time in retirement?
I have been lucky in retirement in that my health is OK. I also play, or try to play, golf and some tennis, and I have an electric bike – recommended.
Are there any local issues you would like to draw attention to?
Donegal is a great place to reside, two drawbacks for me would be the lack of quick regular public transport to international airports and the need to travel outside the county for specialised medical treatment. Locally there is much dismay about traffic snarl ups. Off the point somewhat, I would like to highlight the seeming non legal validity of unlit pedestrian crossings in Ireland. In countries such as Spain and Portugal the pedestrian is king with respect to such crossings, whether in cities or tiny villages.
Quick fire
The book or the film?
Lazy approach says film.
Your perfect night?
A good restaurant, good company, a walk by the sea, a pint on the way home, designated driver is..?
Favourite film?
The Searchers
Music?
In the morning Creedence Clearwater Revival, in the evening something more “classical”.
What do you look for most in a friend?
A sense of humour, self denigratory, trust, liberal views.
What angers, frightens, or disappoints you?
Lack of politeness
Do you have a particular motto/belief that you try to live by?
“Others are not responsible for the way I feel”.
Milton comes to mind: “mind is of its own place and can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven”.
If anyone else would like to take part in this interview, to raise a profile or an issue, or just for fun, please contact Paul at Dnthirddegree@gmail.com
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