Farewell, Eddie!

On Friday October 24^th we bade an emotional farewell to an absolute legend of our centre, Eddie Daly. Eddie has retired after 35 years loyal service to the students of YRNGGS. To say he’ll be a massive loss is an understatement - Eddie filled so many roles in his time here and was the cornerstone of everything good in this Youthreach.

Ger and Eddie: always first to join in any festivities

Eddie described himself as a ‘versatile specialist’; he truly was a jack of all trades and master of them all too. Outdoor Education enthusiast, Sports Days superstar, Nature lover, Guitar hero, Cordon Bleu chef, DIY genius, Zen master – Eddie could do anything and everything. Every Youthreach needs a guy like Eddie who always steps up, who always delivers, who’s always available to do whatever is required. Eddie was hugely popular with his colleagues, and it’s no exaggeration to say that generations of students thought the world of him. Whenever you’d bump into an ex-student, without exception they’d ask, “is Eddie still there?” They’d reminisce about Eddie’s cooking, especially his famous chocolate brownies. Eddie used to say that cooking was an art, and baking was a science. Eddie could somehow put together a dinner for 50 students with the sparsest of ingredients and his Christmas dinners were without equal. In his classes, Eddie gave his students the space to express themselves and to be themselves, to learn how to cook and learn about life. Youthreach students often need more than just qualifications, and Resource staff are more than just teachers; they are mentors, confidantes and cheerleaders. Eddie symbolized all of these qualities, and his calmness, kindness, encouragement and patience helped countless Youthreach students through difficult times.

As a colleague, Eddie was loyal, funny, reliable, supportive and practical. If you were looking for something he’d tell you it was ‘up in Molly’s room behind the wallpaper’.

Eddie got things done, and his retirement is a blow not only to YRNGGS but to the City of Dublin ETB in general. But he’s done his soldiering, and after 35 years at the coalface Eddie has earned the right to finally hang up his apron. Right up to the end Eddie was encouraging our students, and in an emotional farewell speech he told them, “Fulfil your potential, grow, live the best life you can”.

It was a pleasure and a privilege to work alongside you Eddie, thank you for everything. We’ll all miss you, and we wish you nothing but happiness in your retirement.

From the staff & students of YRNGGS