Tributes paid after pioneer of Irish women’s education dies aged 92

TRIBUTES were yesterday paid to a retired school owner who was a women’s pioneer in Irish education.

She died at the weekend, aged 92.

At her college, shorthand and typing formed the nucleus of the curriculum and many journalists learned their notes taking outlines from ‘Mrs Macs’ as it was known. Its list of former students include former education minister Noel Davern and broadcaster David Hanley.

She proudly claimed that one of the first female bank managers appointed in the country attended High School.

Ms McNamara, who was born in Co Donegal, and after graduating with an arts degree from UCG taught in various secondary schools before moving to Limerick.

She set up her secretarial college in a single room in The Crescent and over the years developed it, drawing students from all over the country.

Her husband, Michael, who predeceased her, was a native of Limerick and they met when on holiday in Ballybunion.

She is survived by sons John, Gerry and Michael.

On her retirement her son, Michael, a well known RTÉ broadcaster, took over the management of the college, widening its range of third-level courses.

Even at an advanced age, Ms McNamara took a verbatim note of radio news bulletins every day to keep her shorthand speed sharpened.

One of her grandsons, Conor McNamara, is a football commentator with BBC5 and has also done commentaries for Match of the Day on BBC television.