MUIRIS BUDHLAEIR, who has died aged 87, was the former Principal of Scoil na Leanaí at Coláiste na Rinne, Co Waterford, where he also took charge of the summer courses.
Founded by Pádraig Ó Cadhla in 1905, Coláiste na Rinne secured official recognition two years later. Scoil na Leanaí, an Irish-language boarding school for boys and girls aged seven to 12, was set up in 1919 and quickly became renowned for its language-teaching methods.
Past pupils include former president Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh, former taoiseach Garret FitzGerald and journalist Vincent Browne. Ring's summer courses now attract 1,000 students each year.
Born in Fearann, Baile an Fheirtéaraigh, Co Kerry, in 1921, Muiris Budhlaeir was one of the six children of Richard and Catherine Bowler. He attended the local national school and secured a place at Scoil losagán, Baile Bhuirne. Awarded a scholarship to St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, he qualified as a teacher.
He initially worked as a substitute teacher at schools in Leap, Co Kildare, Glenbeigh, Co Kerry, and Rathkeale, Co Limerick.
In 1945 he secured a post at Coláiste na Rinne where, from 1951 to 1987, he was principal of Scoil na Leanaí. Between 1953 and 1993 he was also principal of summer courses at the college.
When he started teaching at Coláiste na Rinne, there were 50 pupils on the rolls and when he retired there were 183.
He immediately felt at home in Ring, which had much in common with his native Ballyferriter - not least a vibrant community spirit. He formed strong bonds of friendship with colleagues, pupils and locals. "In his heart he had two homes," his sister Cáit recalled, and every holiday was spent with family in Kerry.
He recounted his experiences as a teacher at Coláiste na Rinne in articles he wrote for An Linn Bhuí: Iris Ghaeltacht na Déise. He recalled the joyful times children spent on summer courses in the 1940s and 1950. He wrote an account of his colleague and friend Micheál Ó Cionnfhaolaidh, a fine storyteller and writer.
The college caretaker and gardener Peadaí Tóibín, who ensured that staff and students had a plentiful supply of organic vegetables, also featured in his reminiscences.
His membership of the boards of management of Scoil na Leanaí and Coláiste na Rinne continued up to the time of his death.
Prof Aoibheann Nic Dhonnchadha of the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies said: "Na tréithe a thaitin le Muiris i ndaoine eile - Gaelachas, féith an ghrinn, dílseacht agus bua caradais - tréithe is ea iad a bhí ann féin go smíor agus a chleacht sé gach féile faid a mhair sé."
He is survived by his sister Cáit, brother-in-law Jim Roche, nieces and nephews.
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Muiris Budhlaeir: born August 1st, 1921; died July 2nd, 2009