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We regret to announce that, after a brief
illness, Sam McClure passed away peacefully,
on Sunday 3rd February 2003.
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The Funeral Service was on Wednesday 5th.
February, at
St. Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny
and donations if desired are to the Samaritans
or Carlow/Kilkenny Home Care.
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Sam McClure
Sunday 3rd February saw the end of an era with the passing of Sam McClure,
former headmaster of Kilkenny College (1979-1996), the guiding light for
the new College which was opened in 1985.
Born in Randalstown, Co. Antrim Sam went to school in Sandford Park in
Dublin and soon found himself a young teacher of geography in Newtown
School, Waterford. While there, he became involved in the business life
of the City, rising to the Alderman and concerned himself with commerce,
land and even termed himself a farmer buying land and cattle. All this
knowledge was to be useful for him getting to know the farming community
of parents in Kilkenny College.
In 1979, he was appointed Headmaster of the famous school, on the retirement
of Gilbert Colton. The amalgamation with Collegiate School, Celbridge,
had taken place some years before and the school was rapidly outgrowing
its ancient premises in John Street.
However, Sam and his family moved to Kilkenny
and into the school, redecorating quite a proportion of the building and
even moving out of the headmaster’s quarters to make room for extra
dormitory accommodation.
Disaster struck in 1980 when fire broke out one Autumn evening and although
there were no casualties, the building was badly damaged. New alliances
were made with the Kilkenny Roman Catholic community as the boys were
temporarily boarded out in St. Kieran’s College at the invitation
of Bishop Birch. Sam’s determination restored the 200 year-old building
despite a winter of dry rot.
His entrepreneurial skills began to emerge with the construction of the
McAdoo Hall in 1981. This multi-purpose building was the first new erection
for the College for many years as Sam found himself with much goodwill
for funding out in the dioceses despite a time of recession. This must
have encouraged him as he saw the need for a new school with ever-expanding
numbers. With much persuasion and negotiation with both the politicians
of the day and the Department of Education and with the purchase of extra
land at Celbridge House, the prospect of the new school became a reality
and he inched the position of priority up the line. Perhaps the visit
of the then Taoiseach, Charles Haughey to the fire shell of John Street,
was the catalyst in this venture.
And so the first sod was turned, typically organised by Sam to be dug
by the youngest member of the school, Trudi Miller, and soon the blocks
were rising to the gratification of the man of vision: Sam McClure. It
was a proud moment when the new school opened and eventually the link
with John Street was broken, giving it over to the County Council.
With a state-of-the art school, the best in the country, and many say
the most attractive, Sam enjoyed another 10 years building up the school,
initiating the 11 day fortnight with a round of buses bringing the children
home at least once a fortnight, giving them the best of both worlds: the
independence of boarding life, yet retaining close links with the family
at home. He introduced “setting” into the curriculum offering
pupils teaching at whatever ability level suited them best. Not many knew
the amount of work he achieved behind the scenes to obtain charitable
funds to help give pupils who couldnt have otherwise afforded it, their
preferred education.
His energy knew no bounds and he saw more buildings added before his retirement
in 1996, including the provision of an astro turf hockey pitch. His interest
in sport was no less enthusiastic: a rugby man at heart, he encouraged
all facets of activities and his outgoing personality meant he knew all
the pupils, and their parents and spent many hours on the roads visiting
the many feeder primary schools and indeed other sister secondary schools,
looking for ideas to bring back to Kilkenny. He instigated the fundraising
event “Cantare” which provided the basis of instruments for
the now well-established choir and orchestra in the music Department.
His captaincy steered the ship, suitably delegating to his staff thus
inspiring professional confidence and his philosophy included the broad
sweep of vision: see it complete, leave it to others and move on, which
he did leaving a thriving, vibrant school, having had the courage and
foresight to see the need for progress and to see it through.
Alas his years of retirement were all too short but he packed into them
involvement with the Samaritans, Rotary Club and was a founder member
of Probus, a new organisation for retired people. He took up golf and
bridge and devoted himself to his family and grandchildren.
Sam McClure, a man of the people, always accessible and full of charisma,
has moved on to the greatest vision of all. We salute him, regret his
passing and express our sympathies to Dorothy his wife, his son Roger,
daughters Shirley and Rhona and all his extended family.
For more information please visit the
Kilkenny College Web Site
www.kilkennycollege.ie
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