Paula Allen has been remembered as ‘an amazing, caring teacher’ who ‘touched the lives of countless students and colleagues with her passion, kindness, and unwavering support’
05:00, 24 Sep 2025Updated 09:27, 24 Sep 2025
Paula Allen(Image: Yeats College / Facebook)
A school community in Co Galway is in mourning following the death of a ‘gifted’ teacher ‘who cared so deeply for her students’.
Paula Allen, from Bealadangan, a small Gaeltacht village in Connemara, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at University Hospital Galway on Saturday (September 20).
Paula was a hugely respected English teacher at Yeats College in Galway city, with the school paying an emotional tribute the the beloved faculty member.
In a post shared on social media, a spokesperson for the school said: “It is with immense sadness and disbelief that we share the news of the sudden passing of our beloved colleague and dear friend, Paula Allen.
“Paula was at the heart of Yeats College, a loyal friend who shared a wisdom, and kindness to all who knew her.
Paula passed away on Saturday surrounded by her loving family at University Hospital Galway
“Paula was a gifted teacher. She weaved her magic in the classroom daily. Paula’s students truly loved and deeply appreciated all the extraordinary lengths she made to help them.
“She touched the lives of countless students and colleagues with her passion, kindness, and unwavering support.
“Paula’s passing is a profound loss for our entire school community.
“To Paula, We will always remember you with love and gratitude, and your spirit will always remain a part of our school community.
“Suaimhneas sÃoraà dá hanam dÃlis. Codladh sámh Paula.”
The social media post was met with an outpouring of support, with the parents of Paula’s former students revealing the impact the beloved teacher had on their children.
One person wrote: “We were deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Paula. My son Brian was privileged to have been taught by her. Paula’s passion for teaching, her wisdom and insights were infectious. She truly instilled and nurtured a deep love of Irish history for Brian. A teacher, a mentor and a friend who cared so deeply for her students.
“We are thinking of Paula’s family and all her colleagues and students in Yeats College as they come to terms with her immense loss. Ag smaoineamh oraibh ar fad. Suaimhneas sÃoraà dá hanam álainn uasal. Rest in peace Paula, you were one of life’s treasures and a gift to the teaching profession.”
Paula has been hailed as a ‘gifted’ teacher who had ‘the​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​explain​ ​and​ ​make​ ​difficult​ ​subjects​ ​interesting​ ​as​ ​quickly​ ​as​ ​she​ ​could​ ​whip​ ​out​ ​a​ ​hilarious​ ​tale’
Another parent of one of Paula’s former students wrote: “So sad and shocked that Paula is gone. We all loved her. She was an amazing, caring teacher. She was a great friend and teacher to Oisin and they both shared a love of history.
“Odhran was lucky to have her as his teacher last year. She never forgot any of her students and she was always interested in what they were up to. Like someone else said she was often talked about every day after school and I think will be for a long time yet. Condolences to Emma, all her extended family and friends, and all her colleagues, friends and students at Yeats college. Mind each other. RIP Paula.”
While another heartbroken parent wrote: “What amazing Teacher and lady thanks for all the loving words and support you shown my daughter Tara. You have left a lasting impression and inspirational impact on her. Heaven has gained a beautiful soul. Rest in Peace.”
Paula was also heavily involved in organising the annual Galway Film Fleadh, Ireland’s leading film festival, with her fellow organisers paying tribute to the hugely popular figure.
“Our Fleadh family is heartbroken to share the news of the sudden death of our sister, colleague, and friend, Paula Allen.,” a spokesperson for the festival said in a statement.
“Paula has been the heart of the Fleadh’s hospitality since its earliest days, from being everyone’s favourite barkeep at the Claddagh Palace to becoming sole manager of all our guests’ travel & accommodation. She will be missed around the world.
“She joined us every year as soon as her teaching at Yeats College allowed, and injected the Fleadh team with a boost of love and laughter as our deadlines loomed.
“Highly gifted, Paula was a natural storyteller and had the ability to explain and make difficult subjects interesting as quickly as she could whip out a hilarious tale. We will miss her conversation, her kindness, her humour, her laugh and all that made Paula so uniquely special.
“Codladh sámh Paula.”
Paula will lie in repose repose at lonad, adjacent to Lettermore Church, from 5-7pm on Wednesday.
A celebration Mass of our beloved Paula’s life will take place on Thursday at 11am at Lettermore Church (H91 F5W4) followed by Cremation at Shannon Crematorium.
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