Tribute to Mr Jimmy Halliday
In late 1988, County Galway VEC and the Mercy Sisters decided to amalgamate Dunmore Voc. School and Incarnate Word College into a single school. They, with local agreement, chose Jimmy Halliday to facilitate and coordinate the process. Jimmy chaired a joint committee from both schools to oversee the process. With great skill and diplomacy, he convinced the Dept of Education to approve the establishment of a Community School from the 1/08/1990.
Jimmy was elected chairman of the first BOM of Dunmore Community School where he served as our chairman until 2007. In that first year he successfully managed the coming together of two staffs, two sets of students, two sets of parents and two school locations a half mile apart. He also oversaw the appointment of senior and middle management teams. Over the next number of years, he fought hard with the DES for a new building which was officially opened by the current Taoiseach in 1999.
Jimmy was more than a chairman of our school; he was also a great friend of the school. He regularly travelled to matches supporting students and teachers. He attended every school event. He was highly regarded by the school and wider community. He also chaired the FAS scheme committee that carried out many improvements around the school. Jimmy had a great way with people and had a warm word for everyone. Jimmy was a person of outstanding ability, a great legal mind but above all else he was a gentleman and loyal friend.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
