Eilish hangs up her duster

Mrs Kearns joined the staff in 1977, and after many years' dedication and loyal service hung up her duster in December.

Eilish was special guest of honour at the Christmas concert when parents and pupils, past and present, bid her a fond farewell.

Head boy Adam McShane and head girl Danielle Kearney presented her with a beautiful crystal vase and a bouquet of flowers, on behalf of parents and staff.

Eilish developed a strong relationship with the children in her role as senior lunchtime supervisor.

Kevin O’Hara school principal, remembered how she used to stand ready in the lunch hall to provide sauce on the children’s dinners after they moved from the hatch.

Eilish recently joined her former colleagues for a farewell meal at the Gate Inn in Aghalee.

Staff presented Mrs Kearns with an engraved locked to mark the occasion.

The principal thanked Eilish for the hard work and dedication to the school: “The first thing I noticed about St Patrick’s when I visited before taking up post was the level of cleanliness throughout the school.

"It looked like a team of cleaners had been at work, but I discovered soon enough that Eilish managed this demanding feat each year on her own.”

Mrs Kearns said: "It has been a very short 32 years and I enjoyed every minute of it, working with the children, their parents and all the staff of St Patrick’s over the years.”