Sr Loreto O'Connor
ELLEN O’CONNOR from Tarbert/Ballylongford in Co Kerry, the second youngest of five, joined the Sisters of Mercy in 1940, taking the name Sr Loreto. Níor chaill sí riamh an dlúthcheangal a bhí aici le Contae Ciarraí (go háirithe nuair a bhí foireann Chiarraí ar pháirc na himeartha). In 1943, when 52 students graduated from Mary Immaculate College, Sr Loreto was one of six religious who graduated. She taught in Limerick and then studied for a BA (Irish and history) at University College Cork (1944-1947) followed by a higher diploma in education (1948). She conducted research on the hedge schools of Kerry, for which she was awarded an MA in education in 1949. She was then appointed to the staff of Mary Immaculate College. Mhúin sí an Stair agus An Ghaeilge (1949-1959) sar ar ceapadh mar uachtarán í sa bhliain 1959.
During her two decades at the helm, she presided over significant development and change. Mary Immaculate College’s reputation as a centre of excellence in teacher education was significantly enhanced in the 1960s as it was the first college to organise seminars and conferences on such initiatives as “the project method”, “group teaching” and later on the “integrated curriculum” which required a complete revision of the teacher education programme. The college became coeducational in 1969, the first such college to do so. One of the biggest changes came in 1975 when the two-year diploma programme for teachers was replaced by the three-year BEd Programme. Again Mary Immaculate was the first college of education to become a Recognised College of the National University of Ireland and the first to introduce the BEd. Degree. Sr Loreto played a key role in negotiating the relationship with the National University of Ireland which became the college’s degree awarding body.
Bhí uaisleacht neamhghnách ag baint le Sr Loreto. She had a very clear sense of vision. She always knew what she wanted to achieve. She had highly developed negotiating skills and knew how to welcome the powers-that-be to the college. She had a great sense of occasion, was truly hospitable, had the highest of standards and always displayed “a touch of class”.
Many students who had personal problems came to confide in her and always found a most sympathetic and caring person. Her commitment to care and compassion did not end when Sr Loreto formally retired from the college presidency in 1979. For a number of years, she continued to work in the college, teaching classes in Gaeilge Ghairmiúil. Later, following a short sabbatical in the US, she worked at Limerick Regional Hospital (1985-1994). She died on May 16th, 2011.
Sr Loreto, in her passion for education, her commitment to her faith, her love of the language, literature and culture of Ireland, along with her dedication to her calling and the charism of her Congregation, exemplifies all that Mother Catherine McAuley could have wanted from her followers.
Solas na Síoraíochta chughat agus leat, Braon de dhrúcht na bhFlaitheas Agus deoch de thobar na nGrás, Go mbronna Dia ar do anam uasal, Sr Loreto. – PC