Fassbender: Fossa school was a great place

Michael Fassbender, who was inducted into the Order of Innisfallen, at Muckross House, met some of his former teachers from Fossa National School, from left, Angela Lynch, Mary Murphy, Linda O'Donoghue and Helen Moynihan  Picture: Valerie O'Sullivan
Michael Fassbender, who was inducted into the Order of Innisfallen, at Muckross House, met some of his former teachers from Fossa National School, from left, Angela Lynch, Mary Murphy, Linda O’Donoghue and Helen Moynihan
Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan

MICHAEL Fassbender has told of the wonderful memories he has of his school days in Killarney and the affection he still holds for Fossa National School where he spent eight years.

Speaking at home in Killarney, where he was inducted into the Order of Innisfallen for helping to put the town on the map, he said Fossa school was “a great place” and the education he received there helped him enormously throughout his life.

“It was always so forward thinking. It’s nice to see that they’ve got that astro turf scenario now and the new autism section, which is great. There has been great investment by the teachers and the parents,” he told KillarneyToday.com.

Michael said his former principal, Tom Long, and the teachers helped him to develop a great passion for poetry and history and it has remained with him throughout his life.

“I remember them all. Miss Murphy, Mrs Lynch, Mrs Long and Mrs O’Donoghue who used to be Miss McNeice. These are good people who gave me an education that I continue to draw from today,” he said.

Michael and Alicia Vikander with staff of Muckross House, including Head Guide, Ann Tangney (left). Picture: Valerie O'Sullivan
Michael and Alicia Vikander with staff of Muckross House, including Head Guide, Ann Tangney (left).
Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan

“Fossa school and its teachers continue to do great work at a great school,” he said, adding that he also made many great friends at his secondary school in St Brendan’s College and they still remain close friends.

Michael also recalled his days as head altar boy at the Prince of Peace Church in Fossa when Fr James Galvin was the parish priest.

“Fr Galvin really was an inspirational priest and an admirable man and I have to say he is sadly missed to this day. How fortunate I was to have my life enriched by such good people,” he added.

He also praised Killarney and said is staggers him how welcoming the community always is to everybody.

“Today I see people from all corners of the world converging on this small town. In the words of WB Yeats, there are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t yet met and this is to the great credit of Killarney and the people of Killarney.”

Muckross House Trustees Chairman Rory D'Arcy and Deputy Chair Geraldine Rosney making a presentation to Michael and Alicia
Muckross House Trustees Chairman Rory D’Arcy and Deputy Chair Geraldine Rosney making a presentation to Michael and Alicia

He thanked his parents, Josef and Adele, for moving to Killarney from Germany when he was aged two and, he said, It gave his sister, Catherine and himself roots in “a very special place”.

“One of the many perks of my job, besides kissing Alicia Vikander, is that I get to travel all over the world, coming across so many different people and cultures.

“I always feel very proud to say and lucky to be able to say that I’m Irish, that I’m from Kerry, from the Kingdom, I’m from Killarney and I’m from Fossa.”

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