‘Troubles melted away in Dominic’s company’

THE loss of Dominic O’Hara has been enormous to all who knew and loved him, including all those belonging to the Omagh CBS school community. Dominic was a dedicated, witty and loveable part of all aspects of school life, to which he brought his own unique energy.

Before he was a teacher, Dominic worked as a production manager in a shirt factory in Derry, assistant manager at Olympic Sales Bundoran and a sales representative in Donegal Town.

His witty stories and observations of those times would entertain all those fortunate enough to hear them.

He began his teaching career at St John Fisher School, Chatham, Kent from 1990 to 1993.

A native of Patrick Street, Derry City, Dominic often joked was the ‘wee late one’ of six children raised by Molly and Johnny O’Hara.

One of his greatest claims to fame was how he finished first in a Derry Féis, beating Feargal Sharkey into second place. The fact that Feargal Sharkey was suffering from a heavy cold rarely got mentioned.

His time in England came to an end when the then Principal Br McCrohan told Dominic he was ‘bringing him home’. He started teaching Religious Studies and Economics at Omagh CBS in September 1993. Dominic’s lessons reflected his personality; they were lively, sometimes musical and always great craic.

Dominic quickly became an indispensable part of school life.

With the Young Enterprise Company he won a lifetime achievement award in April 2019 for leading pupils to multiple national accomplishments.

At Christmas time, he could be found dressed as Santa Claus for the Christmas Party with Arvalee School, and he will be fondly remembered by past pupils for his energetic delivery of the RE and Enrichment Programme for senior pupils.

An integral part of the school, he was loved by staff and pupils alike, with everyone delighting in his company. Infectious laughter could always be heard emanating from the staffroom as Dominic held court. Troubles and concerns melted away in time spent in Dominic’s company.

Indeed, it was a badge of honour to be at the receiving end of one of Dominic’s signature lightning-quick, good-natured quips.

Dominic was always first choice for Master of Ceremonies. He could engage an audience with his clever observations and his entertaining ‘Did you know that…’ digressions.

When he DJed at Sports Day, sometimes standing in his bedroom slippers, he would flaunt his eclectic musical taste with music from Dean Martin to Britney Spears.

He was an avid supporter of Derry City and Liverpool Football Club and enjoyed the banter their successes provided material for.

He was resolutely unashamed of his poor knowledge of Gaelic games. The popular belief is that after Tyrone were defeated in the 1995 All-Ireland Final, when taking the class register Dominic proclaimed, “Samuel Maguire, Absent.”

He was often heard regaling classes with unsubstantiated tales of his own sporting prowess, most famously that he won a schoolboy international football cap for Northern Ireland.

He was a loyal and supportive colleague who liberally dispensed wise words of counsel when needed, particularly with younger staff members. His warm humanity ensured that all who met Dominic were treated with a kindness and decency that underpinned his caring nature. As a Year Head, his understanding, empathy and natural people skills helped many students in times of pastoral and academic need.

He bore his recent illness with great bravery and dignity. He was surely comforted by his great faith and the unwavering support of his family and many close friends. On September 17, 2021, Omagh CBS hosted Emmett O’Hara, Dominic’s son, in his fundraising events to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. The large turnout of Dominic’s colleagues, past and present, is testament to the high esteem in which he is held and the love that so many had for Dominic. Indeed, his wake and funeral Mass was attended by those same colleagues and many pupils, both past and present.

Dominic, who lost his wife Dolores in 2009 following her own courageous battle with illness, is survived by his two children, Aimee and Emmett, his partner Grainne McGurk and was the beloved brother of Michael, Patricia, Denis, Pauline and the late Siobhan RIP.

His memory and legacy will live long within the Omagh CBS community.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam