Primary school teacher and Dunleer man Mr Bartle Woods was an extraordinary teacher with a passion for music who inspired generations of tin whistle players in Monastery NS. At the age of 80 in 2017, he was still teaching new generations of Ardee boys how to play the tin whistle! Principal Mr Jim McGee reckoned that Bartle was the longest serving teacher in Ireland and a record breaker! 

He started teaching in Monastery NS on September 1, 1978 with a class of 44 fifth class pupils. Bartle always had a unique sense of humour that endeared him greatly to pupils and staff alike. He brought a “child centred approach” to the classroom long before this concept was in vogue. He was appointed Deputy Principal in 1992 and also acting principal in 1993. In 2002 Bartle decided to officially retire at the tender age of 65! However that wasn’t the end of teaching for this energetic man.

Bartle continued his long standing practice of teaching traditional music to Monastery NS pupils. He tutored our boys in tin whistle and accompanied them on the fiddle at key school events such as Confirmation, Green Flag ceremonies, School Concerts and much more. Bartle passed away in November 2019 and is greatly missed by staff and pupils. His musical legacy continues today in Monastery NS.