Irish Version
The entire community of Maynooth University is saddened to learn of the passing of Professor John Coolahan, former Professor of Education at Maynooth University.
John has been described as the “father of Irish education” for his vast contribution to education policy in Ireland over more than 40 years. At Maynooth University, he has made an extraordinary contribution both to the discipline of education and the development of the University.
He authored the seminal books on the history of Irish education, and became a leading international voice on education policy. As Chairman of The Ark, John was a passionate advocate for the role of arts in education.
Maynooth University President Professor Philip Nolan said that with the passing of Professor Coolahan Ireland had “lost a giant in the world of Irish education.”
He noted that Maynooth University, as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations, had the opportunity to mark John’s contribution to education with a special event at the campus last October.
“We can take comfort in the knowledge that his vision and guidance will inform our teaching, our teachers and our policymakers for generations to come. John’s life was a shining example of one well lived in his dedication to his work, his country and his family. Our thoughts are with his colleagues and friends in Dublin, Kerry and throughout the world, but most especially with his wife Mary and children Marie-Louise, Iseult, Deirdre and William,” added Professor Nolan.
An tOllamh John Coolahan, suaimhneas síoraí dá anam
Is cúis mhór bhróin í do phobal Ollscoil Mhá Nuad a chloisteáil go bhfuil an tOllamh John Coolahan, iar-Ollamh le hOideachas in Ollscoil Mhá Nuad, imithe ar shlí na fírinne.
Rinneadh cur síos ar John mar “athair an oideachais in Éirinn” de bharr an éacht atá déanta aige ar son bheartas oideachais in Éirinn le breis agus 40 bliain anuas. Le linn a chuid ama in Ollscoil Mhá Nuad, rinne sé a chion do dhisciplín an oideachais agus d’fhorbairt na hOllscoile.
Scríobh sé leabhair cheannródaíocha ar stair an oideachais in Éirinn agus bhí sé ina phríomhurlábhraí ar bheartas oideachais go hidirnáisiúnta. Agus é ina Chathaoirleach ar The Ark, labhair sé go paiseanta ar son ról na n-ealaíon i gcúrsaí oideachais.
Dúirt Uachtarán Ollscoil Mhá Nuad, an tOllamh Pilib Ó Nualláin, go raibh ‘fathach i ndomhan an oideachais in Éirinn caillte againn” agus an tOllamh Coolahan ar shlí na fírinne.
Thagair sé don deis a bhí ag Ollscoil Mhá Nuad aitheantas a thabhairt don obair a rinne John ar son an oideachais ag ócáid speisialta ar champas na hOllscoile, ócáid a reáchtáladh i mí Dheireadh Fómhair seo caite mar chuid de cheiliúradh 20 bliain na hOllscoile.
“Is mór an sólás dúinn go mbeidh tionchar ag a fhís agus ag a threoir ar ár dteagasc, ar ár múinteoirí agus ar lucht déanta beartas sna glúnta atá le teacht. Ardeiseamláir ba ea é de dhuine a bhí thar a bheith tiomanta dá chuid oibre, dá thír agus dá chlann. Cuimhnímid ar a chomhghleacaithe agus ar a chairde i mBaile Átha Cliath, i gCiarraí agus ar fud an domhain agus ar a bhean Mary agus a chlann Marie-Louise, Iseult, Deirdre agus William ach go háirithe,” arsa an tOllamh Ó Nualláin.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.