Welcome to SHSS Alumnae Link! This is where we connect with past pupils and find out what they’re up to now.

In honour of Sacred Heart’s 80th anniversary, this week we linked with a very special alumna: Sr Eilis McGrath. Not only was Sr Eilis a boarder here at SHSS, she was also principal of the school from 1983-2009.

Name and (previous) position:

Eilis Mc Grath: Principal of Sacred Heart Secondary School.

Year of graduation from SHSS:

1965.

Lives:

Arus Muire, Clonakilty.

Tell us about yourself:

I grew up near Ballycotton in East Cork and was number five in a family of 7 children. We had a small farm. I went to primary school in Churchtown South, which was over two miles away. I used to walk across the fields with my siblings, unless it was raining.

Best memory of Sacred Heart (schooldays):

I set off for boarding school in September 1960 with my sister Mary, who was in Leaving Cert. It was a daunting and exciting prospect. Being on site was a great relief, but was also restricting. Losing the freedom to wander along the cliffs every day was a huge loss. This seemed to weigh heaviest each evening as we sat in a supervised study room. How I longed to be free and call over to the neighbours for a chat.

This was quite a change from a small rural school and also a long way from home. However, I did make good friends there and it was a very positive experience. It was full time boarding with breaks only for Hallowe’en, Christmas and Easter. I can still remember the excitement of getting the train to Cork to go home that first October. We changed trains at Clonakilty junction, and then on to Cork where the station was by the side of the City Hall. My Dad was there to meet us. That was the only trip on the train as it closed later that year.

The day was strictly set out: rising every morning for Mass at 7.20 a.m., followed by breakfast and then chores. We were all assigned housekeeping duties which we did each morning. This was followed by rosary and then class. There was no time for loitering about. We had class from 9am until 4pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am until 12.30pm on Saturday. Evening time was regulated again. We had recreation after school until 5pm. This was playing either netball or tennis. Then, it was study until supper at 7pm, and study again until 9pm. We were meant to keep silent in the dormitory … that didn’t always happen though.

The school day brought a variety of “Day Students”. We had two class groups in our year. I found the size of the class daunting. There had been three of us in my class in primary school! What a change. At first, I thought that the “town” girls knew everything, so I was always afraid to answer in class. However, barriers were not soon broken down and we were all one. I used to feel sorry for the country girls who cycled many miles to school. This was before free education and buses. On wet days, many would arrive soaking wet. We would give them a change of clothes and Sr Therese would dry their clothes in the laundry. They certainly worked for their education.

Subject choice was limited. All students did Irish, English, Maths (Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry),French History/Geography, Commerce, Latin or Domestic Science and Religion. The whole school had choir practice with Mrs Crowley for 30 mins each week and dancing with Miss Attridge weekly also. Science was introduced onto the curriculum some years after I started. Honours Maths for Leaving Cert was added at a later stage. Exams were written, except for Irish which had an oral component. A very different world to what you have today.

In English, you learned the poetry by heart so that you could quote from it to support your answer. The same was true for the Shakespearean play. In fact, the exam paper was just a single foolscap page with the questions. I still have nightmares about the Leaving Cert exam.

Strong bonds and friends were made in boarding school, many of which last to this day. We made our own fun and shared our stories. Those living nearby had visitors on Sundays from 2 to 5pm. This often meant goodies brought back and shared. Being from the other side of the county, I did not have visitors, but I had an uncle who was a priest in the town. This meant that I got out occasionally. The break was always welcome.

Looking back, I can say that boarding school was a great preparation for independent living. Leaving home at twelve years of age teaches a certain independence and responsibility. However, I missed my siblings, who were all in school as well, so holidays were always great. It did mean that school work was for school and holidays were for a break.

What were your favourite classes?

Maths with Sr Stanislaus; Irish with Mrs Dinneen, and in Leaving Cert, we had Mrs Nolan for Speech. This was the highlight of Fridays!

Tell us about your career progression to date:

After Leaving Cert, at the age of 17, I entered religious life in Clonakilty. This has really been my home since. Sr Benedicta was principal at the time. I spent one year as a postulant, and two years as a novice. During the first year as a novice, I had no visitors at all. As a novice, I helped out in Sacred Heart as there was very little funding at that time. Free Education only came about in 1966. I taught Irish, ordinary level Maths, 5th Irish and 2nd year Commerce.

I went to Carrick-on-Suir for one year, followed by Sion Hill for three years, training to be a Home Economics teacher. I taught Home Ec and Science in the old Domestic Science rooms. I was known as Sr. Michael and I taught at Sacred Heart from 1972 – 1981. I loved teaching, especially cooking. September was always special with all the fruits for preservation. In 1981, I went to London and did an M.Phil at Brunel University. My thesis was entitled: The Needs of Young People. Then, I returned to Sacred Heart and was appointed Principal in 1983. I retired in 2009.

Best memories of Sacred Heart (professionally):

Many memories – I really enjoyed teaching cookery and I still love to make jams and jellies in autumn. I have wonderful memories of the many sporting events. There was no competitive sport for girls when I started teaching. When I was in Sion Hill, there was a PE college next door. I noticed people playing volleyball and was curious about the game. So, in 1972, I got a team together at SHSS. The girls would play in their uniform as we didn’t have a sports kit. In 1974 we qualified for the All-Ireland. By then, we had red and black sports outfits. We defeated Presentation Convent, Thurles and got a hero’s welcome when we returned to Clonakilty. In 1977, we won another All-Ireland against Naas. In 1980 we travelled to the World Championships in Bristol. We would train mornings, lunchtimes and evenings. Sr Dolores would give large doses of glucose to the girls for energy. During the festival in Clonakilty, we would compete in beach volleyball. Most of our opponents trained inside. The SHSS girls trained outside and so we had an advantage as they could handle the wind.

However, we were playing volleyball at top level with no indoor facilities so we took the initiative to get our own. We fund raised for a few years and finally got a sports hall in 1980. The sports complex came later and after many negotiations. The project needed to include a community aspect so the Sports Association was born. It was chaired by Leo Meade with Joe Walsh as the patron. Happy are those who dream dreams and have the courage to make them become reality.

I loved working with an amazing staff and students. To pick an overriding memory would have to be seeing students achieve their potential, each at their own level. Rejoicing with the student who achieved against all the odds.

Advice you would give your teenage self:

Follow your own dream, never mind what the crowd are doing.

Favourite quote or motto?

Your best is always good enough.

What is your hidden talent?

Empathy.

Huge thanks to Sr Eilis for taking the time to answer our questions. Your legacy will live on forever at Sacred Heart.

See you soon for the next instalment of SHSS Alumnae Link.

(Follow our hashtag: #shss80)