Emmet
first climbed the steps to the hall door of St. Peter's College in 1967 - a
process he repeated many times in his 38 year teaching career in the school.
His chief subjects were Geography and Art, which he taught with conviction,
skill and no little humour.
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| His experience over many years as an examiner of the Leaving Cert Geography
gave him a special insight into how to make this subject more accessible to
his pupils and in many classes when the core content of the syllabus had
been both well explained and expertly illustrated by his artistic skills the remainder of the teaching time was often given to wit, repartee and storytelling. Emmett was a great storyteller. Good teaching very often is good storytelling and at this none could excel him. The subject matter of these |
 |
| stories was the vast
and varied range of his own experiences – school-boy days in Cork,
student lore in UCC, safaris in Africa, farming in Clonroche,
gardening in Clonard and the exploits of his birds - everything was grist to
his mill. But Emmett was more than just a storyteller - however informative and entertaining. It was his energy, his infectious enthusiasm, his zest for life and passion for excellence that inspired others and forced reluctant students, fellow teachers and friends to match his generosity and strive to follow paths where he led.  It was this spirit that made him such a formidable competitor on the Athletics track in UCC, made him go to Nigeria to begin his teaching career and on return, after a brief spell in Kilkenny, accept the challenge of a new position in St. Peters when himself and his wife Grainne set down roots in Granvelle House, Clonard. Likewise when he took on the arduous task of being chairman of the Wexford branch of the ASTI in 1975 and also his long period of work for CMAC (now known as ACCORD) - this involved giving marriage preparation courses and doing counselling work - all this and further proof of that spirit, his dedication and his sense of commitment to public service. In spite of all these responsibilities he somehow still managed to devote much time and expertise to other extra - curricular activities e.g. as Chef de Equipe to All - Ireland winning College Equestrian teams, coaching College Athletics and pioneering an Athletics programme for the school and who will forget his contribution to countless productions of College Operas and Dramas where his backstage sets superbly crafted and painted invariably drew gasps of awe and amazement from admiring audiences. I could also mention his exploits as farmer and fisherman, gardener and hotelier, school tourist, singer and whistler (The Birdie Song) but I sketch too broad a canvas. I must move on and get to the essence of the man. That essence I believe to be a sense of fun, generosity and good humour tempered by a strong steely will in dealing with adversity. Emmett, when shadow darkened his life as it did when his beloved daughter Heather died so suddenly, taught us all the meaning of dignity and what loyalty and love of family mean. No doubt it is that bedrock of love for and being loved by family, which I know is such a source of joy and pride to him, that has provided him with those well - springs of love, generosity and zest for life and excellence that has given not only so much to the pupils and teachers of St. Peter's - but to the wider community as well. Best wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement. |