After 3 long years, the Library of Trinity College Dublin gathered last night in the Long Room of the Old Library and held a very special event in honour of ten members of staff who retired in 2020, 2021 and four more due to retire this week, September 2022.
Sean Breen, Readers’ Services (1974-2021), Carmel Carr, Librarian’s Office (1980-2022), Loretto Curley, Library Guard (2005-2020), Paul Doyle, Readers’ Services (1972-2020), Helen Flynn, Cataloguing (1982-2021), Peter Guilding, Cataloguing (1980-2021), Assumpta Guilfoyle, Cataloguing (1974-2021), Una Lynch, Readers’ Services (1976-2022), Paul Mulligan, Map Library (2007-2022) and Paula Norris, Readers’ Services (1977-2022).
These ten people in particular, have given an enormous amount over the decades – who combined, served a staggering 387.5 years and of themselves – incalculable dedication.
Gathering in the Long Room has always been a privilege bestowed upon our retiring Library colleagues, with gifts, drinks, canapes and poignant accolades, in thanks for their years of service. But last night’s celebration was made all the more special on account of it encompassing our colleagues who left with little fanfare during the pandemic years.
Welcomed by the Head Librarian and College Archivist Helen Shenton, the retirees, their families and Library friends enjoyed an evening of laughter and reminiscence. Line managers Jessie Kurtz, Laura Shanahan, Peter Dudley and Christoph Schmidt-Supprian did a great job with highly entertaining speeches on behalf of the retirees under their wings.
Given the size of the Library and scale of its operations it makes sense that we have a huge cohort of staff, approx. 150. Some of whom have been here longer than a few of our Library buildings and have weathered every passing storm, social trend, renovation project and cataloguing system upgrade. So, when we must wish our jolly good fellows’ a fond farewell it is always a mix of great emotion, sadness, delight for them and deep gratitude.
Gratitude for the years of loyalty, expertise and the wealth of knowledge they shared along the way. We thank them again for being important parts of our Library family and the wider College community, and we wish them many years of good health and happiness!