Mayor tells Kilkenny College students how a teacher’s encouragement helped shape his life — and why exam results don’t define their future
He admitted to spending more time in the music room than on the sports field, enjoyed a bit of mischief and left Kilkenny College in 1999 with no idea that one day he would return as Mayor of Kilkenny.
But when Andrew McGuinness went back to his former school as guest of honour at its annual prize-giving ceremony, he had a message for students that went far beyond his own journey: sometimes, one teacher, one opportunity or one passion can change the direction of a life.
Mayor McGuinness used the occasion to pay tribute to the late David Milne, his former music teacher, whose encouragement helped turn a schoolboy’s interest in music into a lifelong passion and eventually led him to study sound engineering at third level.
“David didn’t just teach me music. He helped open a door to a world I might otherwise never have discovered,” he told students.
Recalling his schooldays, the Mayor spoke candidly about his fondness for the music room, where he spent time developing his interests while other students were on the sports field. He even returned in the evenings to play music.
With a touch of humour, he warned students not to take his story as encouragement to skip classes, but said there was a serious lesson behind it: discovering something you love can open doors you never knew existed.
“Sometimes, all it takes is one person to recognise a spark in you and help you turn it into something more,” he said.
The return to Kilkenny College was also an opportunity to remember other teachers who had left their mark on him, including the late John Bolger, his first Geography teacher, who also served as Mayor of Kilkenny.
McGuinness recalled Bolger’s energetic and unconventional teaching style, including singing at school assemblies to wake up students. Years later, in a striking full-circle moment, McGuinness led the guard of honour at Bolger’s funeral in his own capacity as Mayor.
He also thanked former teacher Paul Cuddihy, who later became a colleague in local government and a friend, and remembered Mr Harrington for lessons in discipline, self-respect and responsibility that he said had become more meaningful with age.
Having spent more than 20 years working in local government and served as Mayor of Kilkenny on four occasions, McGuinness told students that his career had not followed a carefully mapped-out plan.
“Life rarely follows a straight line,” he said, reflecting on how personal interests, unexpected opportunities and the influence of others had helped shape his path.
His strongest message, however, was reserved for the students themselves — particularly those who might have left the prize-giving ceremony without receiving an award.
“A prize is a wonderful recognition of achievement, but it cannot measure everything that makes a person who they are,” he said.
He reminded students that people had different strengths and that academic results could never capture every talent, act of kindness or challenge someone had overcome.
Some would become teachers, engineers, musicians or tradespeople; others would find fulfilment in business, public service, raising a family or contributing to their community.
The important thing, he said, was to remain curious, work hard and be prepared to explore different opportunities.
“You don’t need to have your entire future figured out,” he told the students. “Be curious. Find the things that interest you. Work at them. Listen to the people who want to help you succeed, and don’t be afraid to take a chance on yourself.”
Reflecting on his return to the school he left 27 years ago, the Mayor said he would always be grateful to Kilkenny College and the teachers who helped shape him.
He closed with a reminder that the students sitting in the hall today might one day return to the school themselves, carrying stories of journeys they could not yet imagine.
“I came to Kilkenny College as a student who loved music, enjoyed a bit of mischief, and had absolutely no idea that one day I’d be standing here as Mayor of Kilkenny.
“If that tells you anything, it’s that life can surprise you.”
