Jerry O Sullivan died suddenly on February 9th 2014 at the age of 66. He is survived by his widow Helen and son Cormac in Killarney and Cork. Originally from Mangerton, Kilgarvan, he attended St. Brendan's College Killarney as a boarder and fondly remembered those days. (Class of 1965.)

He qualified as a National teacher in St Patrick's Training College, Drumcondra, Dublin, in 1967. His first teaching post was in Templerainey, National School, Arklow and he then moved to St John Vianney, National School, Bonnybrook, Dublin. When he moved to his native Kerry in 1974, he was appointed to the then Killarney Vocational School.

A union advocate, he always promoted the value of teachers being active members of their teacher unions. He taught Gaeilge and English in Killarney for many years and trained school football teams, before he became a full time learning support teacher in the college. He conversed in the native tongue he so much cherished at every opportunity. He also gave great service for many years promoting the Pan Celtic Festival in Killarney.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh anam Jerry. Tá sé curthafaoi fhóid ghlasa Acha Dá Eo, é sciobtha uainn róluath.

Mangarta Maorga

Beirt ealaí is séalaí ag seoladh go rialta,
Máthair is péire liath i dtriantán ceoil,
Ceol na giolcaí le clos ag sioscadh na gaoithe,
Fáinne séalaithe le cleití mar cheann seoil.

Caisleán Rois ina scathán sa loch ró-lán,
Báid ag cur thar maoil le tuile na hoíche aréir,
Crainn tumtha sa linn dubh ar thaobh an chosáin,
Mangarta maorga mín mar fhathach sa spéir.

Chím Inis Faithleann an léinn i bhfad uaim siar,
Cruacha arda corcra is slis den leamhain ar a slí,
Eas Uí Shúilleabháin ag titim ón sliabh de shíor,
Macalla ceoil Tennyson mórthimpeall i mo chroí.