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Since the man of the house, Chris, was in the computer business, travelling to China, Taiwan and beyond on a regular basis, Marguerite took up the home not-alone challenge, attending St Nicholas Montessori College in Dun Laoghaire before opening up a small creche in the family’s Bray home back in 1990. A move to Church Lane in 1993 shifted this small operation up a gear or
Marguerite’s two happy assistants, Eileen Broughan and today’s unofficial party girl, Elaina O’Flaherty,
“It was really so nice,” she says, her voice cracking a little. “A lovely guy, Dean Redmond – who’s 23 now, and a university graduate – he came to the door to wish me well. I’ve had so many cards and farewells from people in their 20s, and they were all part of this wonderful time we’ve had here. Just knowing that all these people took some important first steps here, when they’re so open to learning everything and anything about the world, that’s such a joyful thing.

Climb any Margeurite 1JULY16
e were initially going to have a video chat, but Margeurite Fairclough reckoned that there was a very good chance that she might cry today…
For Friday, July 1st 2016 will see this much-loved teacher bid farewell to the little kids attending her Church Lane Montessori for the very last time.
Chances are, whatever Marguerite finds, she’ll be damn good at it. Having trained at UCD to be a radiographer, when four kids popped into the picture in rapid succession, the Faircloughs decided that one of them really would need to work at home. Smart move, as another kid popped along too.
two, given that they suddenly had the sort of house and garden that Winnie The Pooh would happily get lost in.
were clearly getting emotional at the thought of saying goodbye for a final time. You could tell by the way they gulped back their Prosecco.
We’ve had two or three of the same household passing through too, and that makes you feel such a part of their family. Like a mad aunty!”
“I’m so lucky to have had this incredible life for the last 21 years,” she finishes, “and I just hope that I find something half as challenging and interesting as this. My late husband always said that we never stop learning in life, and so, I’m ready to rip it up and start again.
1 comment
Great article Paul – particularly the exotic dancer bit! Marguerite has been a great teacher to our four children down through the years. We were very lucky to have her as their first experience of education. She, Eileen and Elaina made teaching fun. We wish them all the best for the future. – The Lawlor Family