Final Farewells

Posted on : October 1, 2023

Friday 29th September saw SGS bid a final farewell to teachers Garth Graham and Máire Hynes. Both teachers retire from teaching after many years in Sligo Grammar School. Mr Graham came to the school in from Northern Ireland where he was teaching PE at 3^rd level. A former International hockey player, he brought a wealth of hockey knowledge and expertise with him to SGS. In his years as PE Teacher  and head Hockey coach he was instrumental in building the hockey tradition in the school. In his time he saw major improvements in facilities in the PE department, most notably a new astro-turf hockey pitch. Both his sons were students in the school. He leaves to dedicate time to the breeding of pedigree Suffolk sheep, an interest he has had for many years. Máire Hynes came to Sligo Grammar School in 1988  to teach Art. A dedicated and hard-working Art teacher, she also was heavily involved in Drama and the performing arts in the school. She directed, produced and designed numerous plays and musicals, and curated the costume and prop store in the school.  She also ran the debating society for several years. For years Ms Hynes was in charge of the school magazine, website and social media, recording and preserving the life of the school.  Her complete immersion in and dedication to the school could be heard very vocally on the sidelines at school rugby matches! She met her husband, Jimmy Staunton, at SGS and their two sons were  students at the school. The departure of Mr Graham and Ms Hynes marks an end of an era at SGS and the school wishes them all the best as they set out on the next phase of their lives.