ETBI-News-Summer-2016-web

his ability to communicate, the final
quality referenced by Obama, which
caused me some headaches because
on many occasions I had to speak
before or after Joe and that was some
challenge. Joe had many more qualities
– hard work, energy, commitment,
dedication; and when it came to
determining what was the working
day, Joe had an extraordinary ability to
confuse day and night, weekdays and
weekends.
Joe was an inspirational leader who
had the capacity to grow other leaders
around him. Joe always put the
emphasis on the team and as a result,
he enjoyed the support and respect of
his staff and this was evident from the
tears they shed for him on the days of
his funeral.
Over the years, I became a close
personal friend of Joe, he was friendly,
warm, and his lovely smile was allembracing.
Going to a match with Joe
and his family was an experience. From
the time you arrived in the car park until
"Joe was an inspirational leader who had the capacity to grow
other leaders around him. Joe always put the emphasis on the
team and as a result, he enjoyed the support and respect of his
staff and this was evident from the tears they shed for him on
the days of his funeral."
you sat in the stand, you would hear the
constant refrain: “How are you, Joe?”
Joe broke bread with Presidents,
Taoisigh, Bishops, CEOs, Principals,
Caretakers and Cleaners and he treated
all with the same dignity and respect. He
had a photographic memory and once he
met somebody, he never forgot his or her
face or name.
The Education and Training Boards Act
2013 amalgamated the 33 VECs into
16 ETBs. This development led to Joe’s
redeployment as Chief Executive of
Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB. In similar
circumstances, others might say I will
punch in the time until I retire. Not Joe.
He embraced MSLETB as if his life
depended on it. Don’t take my word for
it, ask Mary Madden, MSLETB Education
Officer, or Cllr Mary Bohan, Board
member. Mentioning Mary Bohan, how
she loved going to IVEA Conferences and
getting Joe to sing ‘The West’s Awake’
and ‘Galway Bay’, together with Cllr John
Hogan singing ‘The Galtee Mountain Boy’,
and Frank Curley ‘A Little Bit More’.
Joe retired on 31 st August, 2015 and was
diagnosed with his illness a few short
weeks later. It was a special privilege for
me, together with colleague Seán Duffy
(former Education Officer, Co Galway VEC)
to have stayed in daily touch with him
during his illness. We will forever cherish
those breakfasts we had with him in the
Huntsman in Galway City.
Joe never allowed his illness to
determine who Joe McDonagh was.
He continued to go to meetings, wrote
letters, most especially to the many
people who had sent him good wishes
during his illness, made telephone calls
and went to matches. During this period,
he spoke glowingly of the love, kindness
and support he got from his wife Peig
and his family.
Joe left us on 20 th May, 2016. He had left
a legacy which will last for generations
and that legacy is best described by the
Latin poet, Horace: ‘Exegi monumentum
aere perennius’ (I have raised a
monument more permanent than bronze).
Image by Eamonn O’Boyle (eamonnoboyle.com)
The late Joe McDonagh with ETBI President Pat Gilmore (l) and ETBI General Secretary
Michael Moriarty (r) on the occasion of his retirement
On behalf of ETBI General Secretary
Michael Moriarty, his staff, ETBI Board
and the wider ETBI family, we offer our
sincerest sympathies to his wife Peig,
son Eoin, daughters Muireann and Eilís,
sister Eilish, daughter-in-law Gayle and
grandchildren.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
4 ETBI issue 3 – 2016 Section 1 | National and European Events