Kerry Footballer who had a vision of progressive education

Bobby Buckley, a well-known Kerry footballer in the fifties who also made a major impact in education, sport and cultural circles in Kerry, Cork and nationally during the course of a career spanning four decades, passed away on March 6th

Bobby was born on April 20th, 1931 in Coolaclarig, Listowel to farmers Daniel and Hannah Buckley, the third of five siblings, Josie (RIP). Tommy (RIP), Patsy, Danny and Sally. Bobby's mother, Hannah was a guiding influence on him giving him the drive and a belief that with education he could be whatever he wanted to be.

Bobby was educated in Clounmacon NS, St. Ita's College, Tarbert and UCC from where he qualified as a rural science teacher in 1953. Gaelic football was important throughout Bobby's life and he won a North Kerry Championship at an early age. He won a Sigerson Cup with UCC in 1953 and this opened up the opportunity to play for Kerry and he featured in midfield and half back between 1953 and 1957, winning All-Ireland and National league medals. He also played in County Finals for Kenmare and St. Brendan's.

It was at a Kerry collective training session that he met Eileen O Donoghue of the Park Place Hotel, Killarney. They married in 1957 and took up residence in Ballyheigue.

After three enjoyable years as a rural science teacher in Kenmare, Bobby was appointed principal of Causeway Vocational school where he devised new teaching methods which supported local agriculture. He had a fundamental belief that with practical education and encouragement, young people could achieve their full potential. Many initiatives were tried in Causeway, a mini-farm in the school, converting local wetlands to celery farms and attempting to set up a food plant with the Sugar Company.

Bobby was appointed Kerry County Development Officer in 1966 with the role targeting foreign investment into Kerry. During the period the Pretty Polly Hosiery factory was secured for Killarney, providing employment for over 800 people at its peak.

Bobby was appointed CEO of Tralee VEC in 1967 and established the Tralee Technical College in Clash, later the Tralee Institute of Technology. He and his friend and fellow Kerry footballer Dr. Jim Brosnan had a vision of how sport could benefit the broader communities and after observing an innovative facility in Newark UK, they determined Tralee should have the same. Workers in the town agreed to submit a contribution from their weekly wages after which Bobby and his team persuaded the government to provide the bulk of the funds to establish the Tralee Sports Complex.

In 1973, Bobby was appointed as CEO Cork Vocational Education Committee. This was a significant new challenge involving the management of twenty-one schools and colleges and over 8,200 students. During the following twenty-three years up to his retirement in vision of progressive education and making the VEC educational establishments relevant to the needs of communities and local enterprises. Moving quickly, a school building programme was established and continued from the 1970s to the 1990s with the construction of new community colleges in Permoy and Ballincollig and fifteen new school extensions. Many new innovations were introduced including the Fastnet International Sailing Centre and Planetarium in Schull, the Kinsale Outdoor Centre, incorporating 'Aonaid' Gaelscoileanna and a raft of new courses to meet adult and enterprises needs.

Bobby also enjoyed the international dimension and during 1988 joined Cork VEC into the European Rural University, the body tasked with developing rural communities and initiatives across the EU. This culminated in Ireland hosting a formal session in Schull during 1991, attended by 250 delegates from various EU member states.

In addition to his role in education, Bobby was privileged to be nominated to a number of National Bodies including the National Sports Council, the Garda; Training Authority, chairman of UCC Adult Education Committee and Thomond College Board of Governors. Bobby retained a deep affection for the Irish language and rural culture all his life and enjoyed many years as chairman of Siamsa Tire from 1975 to 2002.

Bobby retired in 1996 and returned with Eileen to his native Kerry and home in Ballyheigue, enjoyed golf with his friends in Ballybunion and Tralee. He is survived by his loving wife Eileen, children, Donal, Cathryn, Ann, Paddy, Susan, Frances, Niamh, Roma, Eileen and many grandchildren.

Slan leat, Riobard O'Buachalla, ni bheidh do leithead aim aris.

Courtesy of The Kerry's Eye Tweet

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