Institute of Education founder Raymond Kearns dies aged 91

Raymond Kearns, founder of the Institute of Education on Dublin’s Leeson Street Lower, has died at the age of 91, his family has said.

The educator, known as Ray, died in hospital on Friday night, surrounded by his friends and family.

He had contracted Covid-19 and later experienced complications. His son Peter Kearns, current managing director of the institute, said his father had the "fullest life" and "did it all".

“There’s no sadness, really. Only celebration,” he added.

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Funeral Mass will take place at the Church of the Sacred Heart, in Donnybrook at 11am on Wednesday, April 6th.

As a mark of respect, the cortège will pass the Institute of Education at about 1pm on Wednesday, followed by cremation in Mount Jerome Crematorium.

From Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, Mr Kearns had "humble origins" and left home at the age of 15, seeking employment with CIÉ as a clerk.

He studied for his Leaving Certificate in his spare time, with a focus on earning a place in University College Dublin, where he subsequently gained a Bachelor of Arts degree.

He earned scholarships to study in the University of Pittsburgh, in the US, before taking a post as senior maths teacher in Gonzaga. While at Gonzaga, he gave private maths tuition to students.

In 1969, he opened the Institute, which has evolved to become one of the State’s largest private school, employing almost 100 teachers with a team of 60 support staff.

“When he was in the States in the early 1960s, he saw the way they were doing things and he got a flair for it. He was a risk taker and a visionary,” Peter Kearns said. “He believed massively in the value of education. He believed hard work and a good education could drag anybody out of poverty, and put them on the corridor of success.”

On top of his professional life, he was also a very big family man, Peter Kearns added.

“He was genuinely just the best dad you could ever imagine. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for us. He brought me fishing all the time when I was younger. We went on summer holidays to the west.

“He was a total character. I’ve never come across anyone like him before or since, but it just so happens he’s also my dad.”

Ray Kearns' daughter Una, who now owns the institute, added: "Everybody loved being in his company. He always said the three best things about being a teacher are June, July and August. He was just great craic. Very much a family man."

Pat Doyle, who has worked in the Institute of Education since 1981, described him as an "amazing character".

“When he came into the staffroom, he immediately lifted the atmosphere. He was a genuine guy who was very good to staff. He was a boss you really wanted to work for; you wanted to do the job well for him,” he added.