‘We have lost a major figure in our community’

The death of education visionary Luke Murtagh has occasioned sadness in those who knew him through the great many committees he served on.

Luke of Tyone, Nenagh, and formerly of Bunbrosna, Co Westmeath and Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, died at Milford Hospice last Sunday.

He spent some 27 years as CEO of North Tipperary Vocational Education Committee, having succeeded Denis Cullinane in 1978. He was previously a school principal in Thomastown, before that teaching business subjects and Irish there and in Cappawhite and Mullingar.

During his VEC tenure, Luke oversaw some of the most significant developments in education provision in the county. All of the VEC schools were refurbished during the 1980s. New schools were built in Borrisokane and Thurles, and 1999 saw the opening of Coláiste Phobal in Roscrea, while St Sheelan's in Templemore became a further education college.

At Luke's retirement function in Nenagh in 2005, his colleague the late Ger Lewis - former Chairman of the VEC - spoke of working with the CEO in the early days of the Tipperary Institute third level concept. Without Luke's grit, determination and refusal to take “no” for an answer, the institute, which stood as his monument, would never have come to fruition.

Also among those paying tribute to the retiree in 2005, Antoinette Coffey, Adult Education Officer, said the recognition of Nenagh's Teach an Léinn as a centre of excellence could be attributed to Luke's creativity, patience and educational philosophy.

FELLOWSHIP AWARD

Acting CEO of the Tipperary Institute, subsequently operated by Limerick Institute of Technology as LIT Tipperary, Luke was honoured as a Fellow of LIT in 2014. The inaugural fellowship is the highest honour the institute can give. Luke was recognised as a wonderful visionary and strategist, constantly thinking about the future of the institute.

“He wanted to deliver education and provide educational facilities to everyone in the region through remote delivery, the use of technology and measure to encourage those who had missed opportunities in the past,” Chairman of the LIT Governing Body Niall Greene said in reading Luke's citation at the fellowship ceremony.

Luke was a fluent speaker of Irish and was known for his love and promotion of the language. He was heavily involved in Conradh na Gaeilge.

He was also very interested in sustainable energy and helped to establish Tipperary Energy Agency, chairing its board of directors from 1998 to 2000.

He was a welcome guest at VEC events long after retirement and he never lost his interest in education; in 2009 he graduated with a PhD in Adult Education from NUI Maynooth.

Luke will also be remembered for his community activism and he chaired the highly successful Tipperary ‘Relay for Life’ campaign in aid of the Irish Cancer Society; Tipperary Regional Youth Service, and meetings over the withdrawal of services from Nenagh hospital.

TRIBUTES

He served on the board of Silver Arch Family Resource Centre (North Tipperary Community Services) for six years, only retiring three years ago. The present Silver Arch board was among those leaving tributes on rip.ie, describing Luke as “a man of great wisdom and knowledge”.

Also writing words of condolence on Luke's death was Sinéad Carr, CEO of Tipperary Co Council, who said the deceased was “a gentleman to deal with, had a huge interest in his community and gave of his time willingly whenever asked. He made a particular and important contribution to the setting up of the first ‘all county’ Tipperary Tourism Company.”

The staff and board of management of St Mary's Primary School in Nenagh joined in the tributes, stating that Luke was the chairman of their board from 2011 right up until last year.

“Through his visionary leadership, his vast experience and his inclusive and determined developmental approach, he made a very significant contribution to St Mary's Primary School,” Principal Peadar O'Dwyer noted.

TD Michael Lowry said it was with great sadness that he learned of Luke's passing at the weekend. “Luke was one of the finest public servants I met during my career,” Deputy Lowry stated.

“He had outstanding ability matched with a practical approach. Luke possessed a rich personality, always genuine, always considerate, kind and generous of heart.

“Luke,” he said, “has left his singular mark on many educational projects across North Tipperary. I salute his many achievements,” Deputy Lowry said of the man he worked closely with in establishing the third level insitute in Thurles - now TUS.

“We are indebted for his massive contribution,” he concluded. “We have lost a major figure in our community.”

FUNERAL

Luke died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, in the wonderful care of the staff of Milford Care Centre on September 15th 2024. Beloved husband of Anne and loving father of Blathnaid, Niamh, Aoife, Fiona, Eoghan and Eamonn. Predeceased by his infant son Gerard and his sister Margaret. Much loved and sadly missed by his loving family, his sister Joan, sons-in-law David and Peter, daughters-in-law Fiona and Natasha, his adored grandchildren, nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, relatives, former colleagues, neighbours and friends.

Funeral Mass took place on Wednesday at St. Mary of the Rosary Church Nenagh, followed by burial in Lisboney Lawn Cemetery.

Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam.