Carew, Jim
June 11, 2007
The late Jim Carew
The death took place in St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny of Mr Jim Carew (59) of Shellumsrath, Kilkenny. Mr Carew was a teacher in St Kieran's College, Kilkenny for over 30 years before he retired in June 2007.
In St Kieran's he taught French and PE, and his ability to connect with the students and to arouse their curiosity made him a firm favourite with all.
He organised many a school trip, to skiing resorts, because he looked to instill a love of travelling among young people.
He brought students to such far flung places as Germany, France, Andorra and Russia. The latter was a ground breaking trip because it was made during the Communist regime.
He liked it all the more for that, because it exposed the youngsters to life as it really was in the country.
In the area of sport, Mr Carew was something of a ground breaker too. He prompted a revolution in St Kieran's where he was mainly responsible for the school entering soccer competitions.
They did so with considerable success. In 1993, Kieran's won the Leinster senior schools soccer final. Getting to the final was an achievement in itself, because Kieran's were the first team outside of Dublin to contest the decider.
Nr Carew managed the team and his son Graham played on it.
The college were back in the final in 1997 and 1998, but success eluded them on both occasions. Another son, Shane played on the '97 side.
Mr Carew was deeply interested in soccer. He loved coaching, and he held a UEFA 'B' coaching qualification.
He coached in the Damba soccer school, where he met former Brazilian star Jarzinho. On one famous occasion he brought three teams to the Leinster international tournament, and Kieran's ended up winning the under-16 and 18 divisions.
Many of the college players also turned our with St Anthony's Boys in schoolboys football, where Mr Carew was a coach with his great friends, Bro, Alfie and Martin Sattelle.
On one occasion he worked with the Kilkenny under-14 Kennedy Cup team, and he also did stints with Freebooters and the schoolboys and junior sections of Fort Rangers.
Mr Carew enjoyed a fine career as a centre-half and, he played with local dubs Emfa, Ormondevilla and Park United. He was a committee member with the latter club.
In 1976 he served as chairman of Emfa, the forerunner of Eircom League side, Kilkenny City. He coached the 'City U-21 team.
On the GAA scene, he trained Clara and Carrickshock on different occasions.
Mr Carew was originally from Clonkelly, Dundrum, County Tipperary. He was a proud Tipperary man and he took great delight in the achievements of people from the county.
He was educated in Dundrum and later Ballinfad, County Mayo before graduating from UCC.
He came to Kilkenny in 1971. His teaching appointment at St Kieran's was his one and only posting during his long career in education.
Jim Carew was a man of many talents. He was a craftsman of note. He did a lot of work building his own home, including the digging of the foundations, with the help of friends, with a shovel.
He took the pub license at O'Gorman's Kilkenny House, John Street for a number of years.
He was happiest when involved in sport. He loved soccer, and he left his mark on the local game.
The remains were received at St Mary's Cathedral by Fr Dan Carroll, who also celebrated the funeral Mass, assisted by ten priests. Burial was in St Kieran's cemetery, Kilkenny.
A guard of honour was provided by students and teachers from St Kierans College, and members of the sports clubs with which he was involved.
During the Offertory procession of the funeral mass, a Tipperary jersey, crossword puzzle, football and French book were brought to the altar by his grandchildren, Jack, Sarah, Molly, Henry and Toby. The Prayers of the Faithful were said by his brother, Tom, sister Mary, his niece Karen and grandchildren, Molly and Sarah along with the children's granny, Ann.
He is survived by his wife, Jacinta, Graham, Shane, James and Kieran (sons); Larry Carew (father), Gerry and Tom Carew (brothers); Mary and Bridget (sisters); Moyira (sisters in law); Carol (daughter in law); John and Tommy Knox (brothers in law), niece, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Courtesy of the Kilkenny People
01 June 2007
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