Tributes paid to inspirational Cork teacher and 'champion of inclusion' Diarmuid Hickey

Diarmuid Hickey pictured in January with his daughters Ciara and Ella and his wife Bàirbre, when Coachford College students and staff took part in the 'Cause You Can event in aid of Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA). Picture: Jim Coughlan.

A teacher whose courage and dignity following his diagnosis with motor neurone disease (MND) inspired his community has died.

Diarmuid Hickey, 56, a renowned physics teacher and the deputy principal of Coachford Community College in Cork, died on Saturday just weeks after he inspired his school to raise over €51,000 for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.

In a post on social media, his school paid a moving tribute to him.

“It is with profound sadness that share news of the passing of our very dear Deputy Principal and friend Mr Diarmuid Hickey,” the school said.

“We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Mr Hickey’s wife Báirbre, his children Colm, Ciara, Ailbhe, and Ella and the extended Hickey family.

“Since joining the staff in 1992, Mr Hickey has made an enormous contribution to Coachford College both as a teacher of physics and maths and as deputy principal.

“Diarmuid was deeply committed to our students’ learning and the wellbeing.

“He was a constant champion of inclusion, always prioritising kindness, equity and fairness.

“His dedication and commitment to our school never wavered, even in the face of an intractable life limiting illness, and he remained centrally involved right up to this week.

“Mr Hickey will be remembered always with great love and warmth; we will miss him hugely.” 

Mr Hickey, who lived with his family in Ballincollig, and who was diagnosed with MND almost two years ago, spoke to the Irish Examiner in January about his approach to life since his diagnosis.

“Every day brings new challenges,” he said.

It’s the nature of the beast that is MND.

“It is all about finding silver linings, day by day, week by week, and they’re there.

“We accept the cards that we are dealt with every day and promise to play them as best as we can.” He said Lou Gehrig, the NY Yankees baseball star who had ALS in the 1930s, inspired him and he lived by his famous quote: “I might have been given a bad break but I have an awful lot to live for."

He also said he found inspiration in the Stoics of ancient Greece and Rome, and he quoted Epictetus, who said: 'What I advise to do is not to be unhappy before the crisis comes’, and Seneca, who said: ‘I cannot escape death, but at least I can escape the fear of it’.