Arles school 1921 Mr. T. Nolan ex-teacher in Arles school

Arles school 1921.

The Natpionalist and Leinster Times. Jan. 1921.

Popular Presentation.

Ex-teacher honoured.

During the last week a very pleasing function was carried out at the Presbytery in Arles when a special presentation was made to Mr. T. Nolan ex-teacher in Arles school. Amongst those present were the Parish Priest ,Very Rev. Fr. Farrell and Rev Fr Kelly, C.C. Arnold Wall, Edward Fenlon, Patrick Swan, and Michael Deegan.

Mr. Nolan taught in Arles school for over 45 years, embracing two generations of the manhood of Arles parish. The presentation which took the form of a handsome cheque was made amidst applause.

In reply Mr Nolan said that he could have transferred to a larger school where promotion was more certain but that he remained in Arles to take charge of a small school in his own parish.

"I have never regretted that act, in this little school in Arles, amongst my own friends and neighbours, I enjoyed a privilege denied to many teachers that is the privilege of teaching in his or her own parish. I spent the happiest years of my life. I loved my young flock and I enjoyed their love in return. How could I help teaching the innocent children committed to my care under the shadow of God's House that there was no school like Arles and no parish like Arles parish. How could I help teaching them when looking at the beautiful country around, that amongst all the nations of the earth there was no land like Ireland.

I often wondered if my teaching was effective or did a good deal of it go with the wind, perhaps some of it falling upon young and uninformed minds bore very little fruit, but that was the exception. I believe we would search in vain for a parish which contains better Irishman and nobler Irish women, if I have even in a small way contributed to that happy state of affairs: if I have succeeded in training a few of our young people to be true Irishmen and true Catholics, I have been more that amply compensated."

Thanks for being returned, the gathering was hospitably entertained in truly Irish fashion.

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Transcribed by M. Purcell c2011.
The above is a true and accurate transcript of the original document.

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