In the last chapter, I was writing about the summer holidays, and what I used to do during those wonderful summers that stretched out almost forever at the time. But unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and eventually I had to go back to school. That change was quite difficult, because it not only involved going back to classes, but also having to gather my wits and say goodbye to my home and family until the next holidays. After the summer, I used to live in the school for three months until I had a good break at Christmas. I needed a little self-discipline after being locked up for so long. But unlike most students, who had to stay in school every weekend, I used to have a couple of days off every week at home, which I loved.

My life at school, however, was lonely. I was a fragile boy with asthma, so field sports were not for me. I developed a good camaraderie with the football and hurling players, but I didn’t have that opportunity. I played handball and although there weren’t many students playing, there were a few other regular players who I made friends with as a result.

I loved academic life, and I studied or read every chance I got. I stood out because almost everyone else in the school preferred to be outside, playing together. There were a few other students who were interested in the same things as me, and we got along really well from the start. It takes one to know one, as the old saying goes, and it was certainly true in my case.

My cubicle in the Dormitory

In my first year at school, I was in the small St. Columba’s dormitory. It was a gentle introduction, for there were only ten of us, and we had a supervisor – a young man who was studying at the seminary, named Jackie Robinson. My cubicle was by the door, and I didn’t have much privacy, but I didn’t care. I was the second smallest boy in the dormitory, and the other boys would play together before we went to bed every night. I didn’t usually take part in those games, although the smallest lad, Seán Ó’Cúiv, was always in the middle of the action. I had asthma and consequently wasn’t very strong. When Jackie heard the scream coming out the door and into to the room he was in, he would come in and settle us down. Then he would turn out the light. We would go to bed immediately, as we were tired after classes, studying and playing and running whenever we got a chance.

Because I wasn’t playing with the other boys, I drew their attention, and they were asking me questions trying to understand why I wasn’t joining them in their games at night. I didn’t want to seem like a loser, and I made another excuse that I was tired or something like that. But the boys didn’t believe a word of it, and they started to tease me every night. One time, Jackie saw me blinking my eyes to hold back the tears. He had a word with me discreetly and asked me what was going on. I told him that the other boys in the dormitory were ganging up on me, and hurling insults at me and calling me nasty names. He nodded his head and walked away. I still remember that the insults and names stopped before long. The other boys started chatting to me, and after a while I was comfortable in the dorm, laughing and talking to every boy there.

The next time there was a loud noise in the dorm, Jackie ran in to stop it. He looked at me knowingly, and said: “And you too, Michael - go back to your cubicle and take your pillow with you!” A big smile spread across his face, and he was out the door. I was one of the guys now, and I was very proud of that.

I still don’t know what Jackie did behind the scenes, but it’s clear that he had a few words with each of the guys. Because we all respected Jackie very much, we listened to what he had to say to us. He did the job without me knowing, but at the same time I knew he did the job. I learned a great lesson that our ancestors have well said: there are many ways to skin a beast. Without a doubt, diplomacy is the best way to ensure peace. I had a better life at school after that, and I am always very grateful to Jackie for what he did for me.

When I was a boarding student at Coláiste Chiaráin, I loved the holidays, because I got to live at home again, enjoying all the benefits that came with that – delicious meals, a comfortable bed and privacy. I also got to spend time with my own family and friends. And I got to go out by myself or with my friends, play games and do all the things that young people like to do. I had time to read books and watch TV at night, and I didn’t have to go to bed too early. In a word – I had freedom!

Of the many holidays we had, the summer holidays were the best. I had a three-month break, the weather was mostly fine, and the sun didn’t set until nine or ten o’clock. It seemed like the summer holidays would never end, but eventually they would come to an end and I would have to move back to school.

I had a close friend called Tomás, who was a few years younger than me. We spent every summer together and we were able to play hurling and football, because we were at the same level, and we didn’t play them as contact sports. That way, we had access to the skills and pleasures of the sport. We would go out into the field behind my house, with sliotars and hurling clubs and play in the All-Ireland championship. Or we would play soccer in the back garden, with jerseys as goals. Whenever my parents saw us out in the garden kicking a ball, they would bang on the window and scream “Get out of the garden, you’ll ruin our roses!” But we wouldn’t stop, because wasn’t the World Cup wasn’t on and I was about to score a penalty. Often, our brothers and sisters would play with us and we would all have a lot of fun.

Sometimes, Tomás and I would go on adventures together, and we had plenty of imagination. There was an old harvester that was in poor shape sitting in the field behind Tomás' house. We spent a lot of time there every summer. For us, it wasn't a harvester, but a spaceship exploring the galaxy. We would get our inspiration from 'The Invaders' and 'Star Trek', science fiction series that were broadcast on RTÉ at the time. Everything else would disappear and we would be in space, fighting alien spaceships – and we would always win! We would visit new planets and meet aliens, both friends and enemies. Eventually, we would hear Tomás' mother calling us and we would wake up from our dreams for that day. But we were back on the spaceship the next chance we got.

Bhí teach iargúlta suas an bóthar amuigh faoin tuath, agus cé go raibh daoine ina gcónaí ann, ní bhíodh duine ar bith le feiceáil riamh ann. Bhí rud éigin mícheart, agus b’éigean dúinn spiaireacht a dhéanamh ar na comharsana sin, chun a fháil amach cad a bhí ar siúl acu. Bhí coill bheag in aice leis an teach, agus bhíodh Tomás agus mé féin inár bhfolach ann, ag iarraidh muintir an tí a fheiceáil. Is cosúil nach spiairí maithe muid mar, in ainneoin an t-uafás ama a chaithimis ag spiaireacht, ní fhacamar muintir an tí fiú uair amháin. Nó b’fhéidir go raibh siadsan ina spiairí proifisiúnta, agus ag déanamh monatóireacht orainn. Tar éis tamaill, d’d’éiríomar neirbhíseach agus tuirseach den obair sin, agus tháinig deireadh luath leis ár ngairmeacha bheatha mar bhleachtairí.

We both loved pop music, and we loved listening to the music of the day on Radio Luxembourg on 208 FM. We had a transistor radio at home, and every Sunday evening when the weather was nice, I would borrow it. We would take a walk up the road to a quiet, secluded spot, across the road from the aforementioned house, as it happened. We would sit down and turn the radio on to 208FM, and we would listen to Kid Jensen’s ‘Top 20’. We were in heaven listening to the 20 songs that were the most popular that week. I remember musicians and bands like: Don McClean, Slade, Gary Glitter, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Diana Ross, The Who, Winds, David Bowie, Mott the Hoople and T-Rex to name just a few. We loved hearing the new, fresh, modern sounds on that radio, many of which were earworms. Even still, to this day, when I hear tunes from that time, they take me back to the days of my youth – the sounds, the smells, the sights and the feelings from a time long gone. In particular, when I hear 'Get it on (bang a gong)' by T-Rex, I feel like a teenager on the side of the road with my friend Tomás, listening to the song on that transistor radio. How well I remember those days. I haven’t told you the funniest thing that happened to us while listening to the ‘Top 20’. We weren’t alone as an audience. When we turned around, there would be a herd of cows standing by the fence, entranced by the music – just like Tomás and I!

Our relatives did not come to visit often because they did not live near us. It used to be a long journey for them in the sixties and seventies in the last century. Our relatives on my mother's side lived in Dublin, and our relatives on my father's side lived on the Mullet peninsula in County Mayo. There was no motorway in the country at that time, and the roads were of poor quality.

But from time to time, close intrepid relatives came to visit. They used to have to stay with us for a while, especially when they were coming from the Mullet peninsula, because that journey took one day coming to us and another day going home. When we (my brother, my sister and I) heard that relatives would be coming to visit us, we used to get excited in the days before. Sinful desserts would be available, biscuits of all kinds and delicious meals every day, because my Mum tried to do her best in the kitchen. Also, the visitors always gave us gifts, including sweets. We ate the sweets in an instant, and we were out and about and full of sugar. We were naughty then, running here and there, laughing, shouting and the like. It wasn't long before we were thrown out of the house, so that the adults could talk and chat together. After that, we were not able to spend much time with our relatives, because as soon as my mother saw us coming, she kicked us out without delay. The visitors made no effort to spend extra time with us either – with one exception!

Our Uncle John

When we heard that our uncle John and his wife Evelyn would be coming to visit us, we could hardly sleep. They themselves were childless and I think they treated us as if we were their own children. They brought gifts for everyone in the family, and they had not only sweets but toys and comics for us, the children. We weren't thrown out, either, because John and Evelyn gave us their attention, asking us questions, listening to what we were saying, and spending time with us. We liked them both very much, because we felt that they were interested in us. With most other relatives, we felt that they were not the least bit interested in us, but that we were a pain in the ass.

There is no doubt that Uncle John was the favorite relative for the three of us - my brother, my sister and myself. Although he was a big man - more than 6 feet tall and built accordingly - he was a gentle, bright, deep-voiced man who never had a bad word to say about anyone. He was my father's eldest brother, and my father had a lot of respect for John, no doubt.

The Walk!

Uncle John used to take us (the kids) for a walk to the city center once every visit. But it was not a boring walk, so we were excited about the same walk as soon as they came to visit us. Uncle John didn't lay down for us which route to take through the city, but he gave us that option. I tell you, we always had a great plan. We visited every toy shop and every book shop in the center of Kilkenny, looking into every shop window we could. When one of us would see an interesting toy or book, we would point a finger at it, and say something like: "Uncle John, isn't that a nice toy/book?" There was no need to say anything else and a few minutes later, Uncle John would come out of the shop, with the toy/book in hand.

When Uncle John asked us to wait outside the pub or bookie shop, we had no problem with that. It used to be a secret agreement, and we had the smarts to say nothing about it at home. Uncle John was on his holidays, and who would refuse him having a bit of fun too? As the old saying goes: Let he who is free cast the first stone! By the end of that wonderful walk, the three (four? ) of us would have nice presents, and everyone of us, including Uncle John, would sport a big smile.

We will never forget our wonderful uncle Uncle John, whose generosity touched our hearts. He is a good example for us, this great man who never ignored us as children, but always the opposite. Although I try my best to emulate him, it is not easy, because Uncle John achieved the highest standard, not only as an uncle but as a human being. We miss you very much, our Uncle John!

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There was a teacher in the college named Tomás Ó Murchú, who was originally from Cork. He dressed in colorful costumes and I saw him wearing a red and white striped sweater. Although 'Spud' was the nickname usually given to anyone with the surname Ó Murchú, Tomás got a new nickname thanks to that choice of clothes. This misfortunate man was christened 'Wasp'. He taught us Irish in the first year and without a doubt he had excellent Irish. We found out how appropriate his nickname was before long. Thankfully, Wasp didn't use the cane. Unfortunately, however, he didn't have to use it, as he had a far more damaging punishment – cuts! A single cut from the Wasp cut deeper than a handful of blows from the cane. Isn't that nickname Wasp cruelly ironic, with an evil sting more hurtful than any cane in the world! Wasp only wanted to maintain control over his class, and he had no intention of hurting anyone. We understood that, and were able to aswer his questions without any fear of retaliation. So, it was always a type of game, and without a doubt, you would have to have a sharp mind to get the upper hand against Wasp.

One of us

Wasp was one of us, as he was not much older than the fifth year students. He didn't use the cane either. And he also had a great sense of humor. We were learning Irish, unbeknownst to ourselves, because we used to have fun with Wasp all the time, and we weren't afraid of being beaten. To us, he didn't seem like a teacher, but like a friend. That style was very powerful, in my opinion. Although we were afraid to ask the other teachers questions, or to challenge them in any way, it was not like that with Wasp. We were able to debate with him, without fear or favor. That gave us confidence that we and our ideas had value, and that we didn't have to accept everything without question. Wasp was on our side! He was able to understand us! So, we had a special bond with this unconventional teacher. And we really respected him, and we listened to him and learned from him! Whatever he had to say seemed cool. Looking back, I see that he had a special talent, because he was a kind of mediator, between us and the authorities, between us and the world!

Persona non Grata

I felt like I was a 'persona non grata' or an invisible person. Although I really liked hurling and especially the skills involved in keeping control of the ball, at the same time I was a weakling. I came near death when I was stricken with pneumonia when I was only five years old, and I did not recover until I was an adult. It was not easy to integrate with the community of that school, especially when you had no hurling skills. Your hurling skills were your social currency at Coláiste Chiaráin, and I didn't even have a cent. It was hard to have self-confidence in a situation like that.

Saviour

Wasp recognized that there were a lot of us who didn't want or couldn't get involved in hurling, and decided to do something about it. He used his free time to teach chess, and put together a group to play chess games. Chess came easily to us, and gave an extra-curricular purpose to us who didn’t have the likes before. Wasp was a savior to us who didn’t play hurling. It was a pioneering approach, without question, because such extracurricular activities were not usually available in secondary schools in Ireland at the time. That chess club gave me a lot of confidence in myself, and even though I played hurling with difficulty, the same could not be said about me in relation to chess.

Passed on

I was sad when I read in 2021 the report of his death, written by another former Irish teacher, Micheál Ó Diarmada. Micheál recognized many exceptional qualities of Tomás Ó Murchú, and I learned that Tomás himself never stopped learning. He got a diploma in German in the eighties. After that, he spent a summer with his family in Germany traveling and practicing the language. Finally, he started teaching German at school. He was naturally enterprising, without a doubt. I will never ever forget Wasp, and I will be forever in debt to this pioneering teacher, and especially for what he did for me as regards developing my self-confidence.

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It took me quite some time to settle down as a boarding student at Coláiste Chiaráin, and it wasn't easy in a few ways. Without a doubt, it was cold in the winter, especially in our large dorms, because although there were radiators on the walls, there was no heat in the middle of those rooms. We only had light blankets on our beds, and cold water in our wash basins. The food we got in the refectory was not tasty, except for the desserts! But after a while I got used to those difficulties and after a while they didn't bother me. Unfortunately, I was a small, fragile boy. Therefore, I could not play hurling well as a team member, and whenever I tried, I got injured. But I loved to play handball, because it's not a contact sport. I was a pretty good player, and I really enjoyed that sport during my time in secondary school. The bullies at home were not able to enter the school grounds, and that was a big advantage. I was never bullied at Coláiste Chiaráin, and I think it didn't hurt that my father taught at the same school.

Teachers and Subjects

In primary school,we had only one teacher and we studied a few subjects in primary school - Irish, English, Interests and Religion. To tell the truth, it was too easy for me, and I was fed up with it. It was not like that at Coláiste Chiaráin at all. We had many subjects: Irish, English, Latin, Greek, French, Science, History, Geography, Art and Civics. I really liked all the subjects, and I loved learning all kinds of things. Between one class and the next, we used to have a little break, and when we returned to our classroom, another teacher would be waiting for us to teach us his subject. Each subject presented different challenges, and I could not contain my natural curiosity. I loved using my imagination and seeing pictures with my mind. We had a lot to learn by heart as part of our education, but I wasn't overly impressed with that aspect of it. I would rather understand the reasons and logic behind the information.

The enthusiasm of most of the teachers really inspired me, because they put their hearts and souls into teaching, and that was contagious. Those teachers did not use any corporal punishment because they had the skills to do a great job. That was a source of joy for us, and we were really looking forward to the classes with those teachers. Unfortunately, corporal punishment was common in Ireland at the time, even though it broke the rules of the education department. From my own experience, a few teachers felt that what they were teaching was not for the benefit of the students and often they had no interest in the subject they were teaching either. They would use the rod to force us to pay attention to them because they were rotten as teachers.

Noel's Story

I had one friend at the start at school – his name was Noel. He was a very smart boy, very strong, headstrong even. Well, we had a Latin teacher who liked to use corporal punishment a lot. At the end of each class, he would write vocabulary on the blackboard, followed by a number - 1, 2 or 4. That's how many strokes you would get for each word you got wrong in the exam that would take place in the next class. I well remember the slaughter that used to happen every class. The teacher was soon sweating from the work of administering the cane to the students, and a line of them waiting their turn. Looking back now, it was a barbaric, brutal and unbelievable act. Whatever happened him, Noel got a few wrong at the start of the term, and he was beaten badly. Everything was a mess then, and Noel started a peaceful counter-campaign in protest.

I think Noel didn't study for class from then on. He was beaten badly at the beginning of every class, and I remember him getting 32 strokes, and that happened more than once. But Noel was a very determined boy, and the more he was hit, the less he studied, despite the fact that we had the same teacher for three years! The stubborn teacher didn't stop his beating, either. But the teacher failed to break Noel down, and in that way, Noel thwarted him.

After the Leaving Certificate examination, Noel attended university, graduating with a bachelor of arts degree. He became a primary teacher as his profession and after a while he was appointed as the principal of the school. There’s no need for me to say that he never laid a hand on a child! But there is another twist in the story. One day, when Noel was in his thirties, there was a knock on his door. He opened it, and who was it but his former Latin teacher! The teacher did not recognize the former student whom he physically and mentally tortured at school. But Noel recognized his tormentor instantly! His nemesis began to speak. He was standing as a candidate in a local election and trying to attract votes. "Can I count on you to cast your vote for me?" he asked Noel.

"Well," said Noel, "If you were the last person left in the universe, I wouldn't give you my vote. Go now, you loafer, and never come back here!” His teacher was left speechless, and then he finally recognized his former student. But before he had a chance to say another word, Noel closed the door in his face. As the old saying goes: what goes around comes around!

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After the fact, it is easy to see a small number of defining moments that had a big impact on the direction of your life. In my own life, there are a few of them that have had a strong influence on me. Here are a few.

Introduction

First, I should pave the way, and give you an understanding of the background. I was a weakling when I was in primary school. I was even lucky to be alive, having had a bad bout of pneumonia when I was just five years old. I was sick again when I was seven, and after that my asthma was pretty bad. Therefore, I was not involved in field sports, unlike most of the students in the school. But I had a hunger for knowledge about everything, but especially about science. I got copies of 'Look and Learn' magazine every week, and I read everything in them. I was fascinated by the mysteries of the universe, and it was hard to believe that the stories in that magazine were true. But they were! It was unbelievable to me that we were all traveling on an insignificant little planet, revolving around an insignificant star, in an insignificant galaxy in the vast universe itself. When I looked up into the sky, I saw the stars and galaxies up there, and I knew even as a boy, that I was looking far back millions of years. That's a big concept for a little boy, and it gave me a comprehensive understanding of humanity and our small role in that big universe.

Inspector!!

One day, when I was in sixth class in primary school, an inspector came to visit. He was monitoring the class for a while, and writing notes. Then, he stood up and walked to the top of the class. He introduced himself to us, and then started asking us questions. Many pertained to Science and maths – playgrounds for me. The questions got harder, and before long, no one but me could answer them. I was able to answer them all. I remember a few of them well: How far is the sun from us? What is air pressure and what is the air pressure at sea level? The inspector was very surprised that I was able to answer his questions, and he praised me and said that it was the first time a sixth class student had been able to answer them. I was ecstatic. The inspector’s respect had a strong affect on me and it occurred to me that I had a great interest in science and mathematics and that they are worthwhile activities. At school and in the society around me, I saw how worthwhile sport was, and especially hurling. But now, I realized that there was a place for people like me, who were interested in learning, and that was a good thing, despite the opinions of many boys in the class. I felt reassured. It was only once in one day in primary school, but in that hour, some unknown inspector lit the flame of my interest in learning - a flame that grew over time, and a flame that encouraged me to concentrate on scholarship.

Confirmation

I don't remember exactly when Frank Dowling came on the scene as a new student - maybe in sixth class, or maybe in the first year in secondary school. Like the inspector, although he wasn't there for long, he had a big impact on me. He spoke with an English accent, as his family had just moved from England to Ireland. Unlike the other students, Frank did not play hurling, and was very interested in science. I could hardly believe that there was another youngster like me. Before long, there was a special bond between us. We used to have lively debates on science topics, and I learned a lot from him. I knew more about certain subjects in science and he knew more about certain other subjects in science. We were always learning from each other, which inspired both of us. I remember one time in particular, when Frank asked me pointing to my desk: "This table – do you think it's solid?" I replied that it was strong and solid. “Wrong!” said Frank. "There is nothing but empty space, and elementary particles whizzing to and fro, traveling through space at the speed of light!" I was taken back, because what he said went against everything my senses were telling me. But things are not as they seem, and I knew that everything was made of molecules; molecules made of atoms, and atoms made of electrons, protons and neutrons. So, what Frank said made sense, but I had never put those pieces of information together before. It gave me a great insight and I then realized that all aspects of science were very interesting to me, from things so small that they cannot be seen, up to things so big that they cannot be imagined.

Random Teachers!

The few random encounters mentioned above had a big impact on me, no doubt. The people in question did not ignore me completely, but (instead) they gave me recognition and praise and more importantly, they reinforced my attitude about science and its value. Therefore, my self-confidence and interest in science increased from that time. Looking back, it strikes me how important other people are in your life, apart from your teachers and even your parents. I believe in the old saying from the Buddha: "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear!"

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