Maundy Money honours commitment to schools
Two people who have contributed significantly to local schools and communities in Fermanagh and Tyrone over many years were recently nominated by Church of Ireland Bishop Ian Ellis to receive Maundy Money from His Majesty the King. Mrs Hilary Keys, a leading member of St Macartan’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Clogher, and Mr Paddy Maguire, a member of St Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, Enniskillen, travelled to York for the service on Maundy Thursday (6th April).
Mrs Hilary Keys and Mr Paddy Maguire attending the Maundy Thursday service in York Minster where they received Maundy Money from King Charles III.
Hilary Keys was secretary of Clogher Primary School until its closure and has worked tirelessly within the Church of Ireland parish in Clogher in various roles from parish recorder and select vestry member, to Mothers’ Union branch treasurer and co-ordinator of the Knit, Stitch and Natter group. She is also Rector’s Churchwarden at Clogher Cathedral as well as being a leading committee member of the local Cancer Focus group and a long-time member of the local Women’s Institute.
She said the first she knew about her nomination was when she received a letter from Buckingham Palace: “It took me a couple of days to get over the shock.” Hilary said. She had visited York Minster previously on a trip but never dreamed of being invited back to this service.
Paddy Maguire’s career in education began as a teacher for more than 20 years in St Mary’s Secondary School, Irvinestown, holding the post of vice-principal for most of that time. He then moved to the Western Education and Library Board, working in curriculum development and as a schools inspector, and led the team introducing the Computerised Local Administration System for Schools (CLASS) project in schools across the board area before it was expanded across Northern Ireland. He appreciated the significance of the cross-community aspect of his nomination, commenting: “It was a big surprise and something I would never have thought of.”
Paddy lives close to Enniskillen and is a member of St Michael’s parish. A graduate of Queen’s University, Belfast, he recently produced a book of reflections – Whatever became of the class of 1957? – from more than 40 classmates from St Michael’s College, in the same town.
Following his retirement, Paddy continued his involvement in education and now serves as Chairman of the Board of Governors at St Fanchea’s College, Enniskillen, and is also a member of the Parish Council at St Michael’s. He has also been involved in producing a parish newsletter over the years.
