IF you had any connection with Colaiste Dhulaigh over the last 30 years or so and were recounting anecdotes about the school, Joe Vaughan’s name would invariably pop into conversation.
Undoubtedly the most popular teacher to ever pick up a piece of chalk at the Coolock secondary school, Joe retired recently and was given a major send-off at Parnell’s GAA Club.
And it was no ordinary retirement bash for an extraordinary character who raised over €1 million for a local charity and led the school’s boxing team to 36 consecutive Vocational Schools’ Novice Boxing Championship titles.
Such is the esteem Joe is held in that Dublin football manager Jim Gavin made an appearance to make a presentation to the local legend.
GAA commentator Marty Morrissey was another special guest, wishing his fellow Clare native well on his big night.
Joe, who has bravely battled back from a serious illness in recent years, started in Colaiste Dhulaigh in September 1977.
He had spent the previous three years teaching part-time at Scoil Ide Secondary School in Finglas and also set up West Finglas Boxing Club.
It wasn’t long before Joe brought his love of sport, particularly boxing and GAA, to Colaiste Dhulaigh.
“I got the boxing going in the school from the start and we won 36 consecutive titles,” said Joe.
“I got the best out of the kids and I wanted to give them something to aspire to. Getting kids interested in sport in Coolock and Finglas was very important.”
In 1987 Joe used his love of sport to great effect when he established the Skipathon, a fun charity event held at the school every December.
All the funds raised were given to the Dom Savio Youth Club, which caters for people with disabilities in the Coolock and Kilmore areas.
Such was Joe’s magnetism he was able to attract celebrity sports stars to the event year after year, including boxers Katie Taylor, Michael Carruth and Bernard Dunne, and former Dublin GAA players Jason Sherlock and Paul Curran.
“The Skipathon really took off,” said Joe. “The kids were finished sport at the end of the year and wanted to do something for charity so we chose the Dom Savio Youth Club. We raised over €1 million and it was a fantastic success.”
Among the 400 people in attendance at Parnell’s GAA Club were current and past teachers and pupils; members of West Finglas Boxing Club and Dom Savio Youth Club; members of Moy GAA Club near Lahinch, Joe’s native town; a large number of people from the boxing fraternity; and Joe’s family who travelled up from Clare.
“It’s a night I’ll never forget,” said Joe. “I couldn’t believe it when the past pupils formed a guard of honour. It was really fantastic.
“I loved my time at Colaiste Dhulaigh and I will miss the interaction with students and staff. I would like to thank all the people who wished me well in retirement and gave me such a great send-off at Parnell’s.”
