McDermott, Paddy
October 14, 2009BRAY resident Paddy McDermott, born May 16, 1933, was a native of Williamstown, Co. Galway.
He died peacefully, after a short illness, aged 76.
Paddy was educated in Polredmond National School, Williamstown where his mother (Teresa) and Aunt (Josephine) both taught.
He attended St. Mary's College, Galway as a second level student and progressed to third level in U.C.G. (now NUI Galway) where he graduated with a B.A. and B.Comm.
During his years as a student in U.C.G. he was a founder member of Cumann de Barra (the Pianna Fail Society) and was also President of the Students' Union. Paddy could be defined as the typical Irish Man!
He was a devoted follower of the G.A.A. and would attend matches all over Ireland. Indeed, the day he was buried was the day of the All Ireland Final' and his family members believe it was the first final that he missed in over 50 years.
He was a Fianna Fail supporter all his life and when he reached 66 years of age he was in line for the 'free pass' which he made great use of.
Each time he got on a train or
bus he always said 'God Bless
You Charlie Haughey
He also enjoyed the 'odd' pint of Guinness and loved chatting to people all over the country about the latest match or politics.
He was. also passionate about Galway and never forgot where he came from, he used to say that he was 'a simple country boy from the West of Ireland'.
In fact, in his last few years he spent half the week in Galway and the other half in Bray. Although his mobility was deteriorating he still managed to travel the country maybe not as often and he used to or as often as he would have liked.
His work was his real passion and hobby .
He started his career as a school teacher (5th generation in his family) but soon went on to become an Assistant Secretary and Supervisor of Examinations in U.C.G. (1960 - 1973).
His brother Bosco and sister, Sr. Mary McDermott were also secondary school teacher's. The ethos and passion for edu- cation was bred into him at an early age.
Paddy was appointed the first Director of the N.C.E.A. (National Council for Educational Awards) now HETAC in December 1973.
It is fair to say that his vision, and understanding of student needs enabled him, as Director of the N.C.E.A. to change the course of education in Ireland by instituting awards for 3rd level institutions such as the Regional Technical Colleges (now the Institutes of Technology), the N.I.H.E.s (now U.L. and D.C.U), Templemore Garda Training College to name but a few.
He was also responsible for setting up diplomas, certificates, degrees and masters programmes and brought education to all.
In those years third level education was aimed at the 'elite' but Paddy changed all that. What he would like to be remembered for, and should be acknowledged for, was his absolute total commitment to education.
He was at the forefront of bringing it to the level it is at today
Of course, he couldn't have done this without the support of all those who worked with him throughout the years.
His commitment to education, politics and people was visible at his funeral in Bray and his burial in Williamstown, Co. Galway His family were overwhelmed by the amount of Mass cards received and the attendance of friends from all over Ireland, colleagues and friends from N.U.I. Galway, the N.C.E.A., the G.A.A. and politicians at his funeral.
He can be quoted as saying that
one of his hobbies was 'going to funerals'.
Well if he could have witnessed his own he would have been so proud to see the great send off he got despite the fact that it was the All Ireland Final!
Ni bheidh a leitheid arts ann.
Courtesy of the Wiicklow people Oct 14 2009 Tweet
