School’s out for Finn Valley College Deputy Principal Kathleen Boland, who retires on 20th February after 40 years of service.
Ms Boland, a native of Ballybofey, leaves the Stranorlar school with a wonderful sense of pride in the thousands of young people whose lives she touched over the years.
Her final day in the school halls on Friday was marked with music, dancing and an emotional guard of honour formed by students and staff.
Watch her special send-off here:
A spokesperson for the school said: “Kathleen will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of working and learning alongside her.
“We wish Kathleen every health and happiness in her well-earned retirement.”
The affection in which Ms Boland is held has been strongly felt in recent months since she marked her milestone 40 years teaching at the Donegal ETB school.
Addressing the school on Friday, Kathleen thanked staff and students for her incredible time at Finn Valley College, which she said had been a joy since her very first morning at Stranorlar Vocational School.
“On 13th November 1985 I walked up the steps of the old school at Main Street Stranorlar,” she recalled.
“The first thing I was asked was, ‘Which classroom are you looking for?’ I said, “Sorry, I’m the teacher!”
From that moment on, she said, Finn Valley College became her pride and joy.
“Ever since, there’s been something about this school. I don’t think anybody would ever understand how I feel about this school and its students,” she said.
“Everything I’ve ever done here was to make life better for students.”
Retiring Deputy Principal Kathleen Boland with Principal of Finn Valley College Seán McFadden
Students bid farewell to Ms Boland on Friday last
Finn Valley College Head Girl Brooke Stewart with retiring Deputy Principal Kathleen Boland
Kathleen spoke of the pride she’s had watching students grow from their first days in First Year through to Leaving Cert and beyond, including Post-Leaving Certificate education, noting that supporting young people was always at the heart of her work.
She offered words of reassurance to students uncertain about their futures, reminding them that it is okay not to have everything figured out. Her own journey began at University College Dublin and she completed her Higher Diploma in Education simply because a friend was doing it too.
Honouring her late friend and colleague, Aidan Doherty, she said: “I came back to Ballybofey, and Mr Aidan Doherty walked into where I was working in Gillespie’s café and told me to come over to Stranorlar the next day, there was a job going.”
That opportunity sparked a career for Kathleen that she has enjoyed every single day.
Having covered a maternity leave position as a Maths teacher at St Columba’s College in 1984, she joined Stranorlar Vocational School the following year. From 1994-98, she worked between both Stranorlar and Gairmscoil Chú Uladh, Ballinamore.
“In all that time, I’ve come to know thousands of students and hundreds of staff,” Kathleen said.
“And in all that time, every single day, I enjoyed going to my work.”
Students make a song and a dance of saying goodbye to Ms Boland
On the retirement of Mr Alex Harkin, Ms Boland was appointed Deputy Principal in 2007, the same year that Stranorlar Vocational School transitioned to its new identity as Finn Valley College.
Kathleen was among the group who passionately advocated for the modern school building students enjoy today, and she acknowledged the efforts of former Principal Frank Dooley and Deputy Principal Alex Harkin in securing the purpose-built facility that opened in 2011.
“It’s the students that make Finn Valley what it is,” she said, reflecting on the privilege of watching students flourish academically and personally in either the classroom, sport, school tours, variety shows and the school musical.
Kathleen Boland closes the door on a rich teaching and leadership career at Finn Valley College
Finn Valley College has a school population of almost 450 students and 75 staff members, led by Principal Seán McFadden under the management of Donegal ETB.
Ms Boland now hands over the reins to Ms Ashlean McGeehan, who has been appointed as the new Deputy Principal of Finn Valley College.
Ms Boland with second year students who presented her with a portrait card
Miss Nicole McCafferty, Mrs Geraldine McCafferty and Deputy Kathleen Boland
Ms Boland with colleagues Katie McGranaghan, Maria Gildea and Claire McGranaghan
Ms Boland on a farewell lunch with staff of Finn Valley College
Deputy Principal Kathleen Boland retires with pride after 40 years at Finn Valley College was last modified: February 16th, 2026 by Staff Writer
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