The Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary
From Cork and neighboring Tipperary, Iona College gained four fine teachers, none more important than Br. Edmond Richard Kiely (1899-1988, Tipperary). Br. Kiely spent forty-eight years at Iona College, from its founding to his death. He served both as chair of the Mathematics Department and as secretary of the Board of Trustees. At a time before Brothers routinely earned advanced degrees, he pursued his Masters (in English, from Fordham) and his PhD (in Education, from the Teachers College, Columbia). His dissertation on Surveying Instruments and their historical use in the classroom was a very “Edmund” project: the Brothers have always excelled in scientific and mathematical training, and Edmund ensured his students were equipped with practical, technical skills. Br. Kiely also researched and wrote an unpublished history of the college, which I look forward to reading soon. A true scholar, Br. Kiely was also a ruthless foe in handball and bridge. That competitive zeal helped make the College the place it is today.
Br. Patrick Emilian O’Ryan (1887-1961, Tipperary, and originally “Ryan”) came to Iona in 1952, late in his career. He had taught in several Irish schools before emigrating to New York in 1913, to assist Br. Lannon at All Hallows. His most lasting impact was at Leo High School in Chicago: as principal during the Depression, Br. O’Ryan led Leo to eminence in both academics and athletics. After serving as founding director of the Cardinal Farley Military Academy, he came to Iona. The Brothers remember his “natural dignity, poise, sociability, and smiling cordiality.”
Br. Richard Januarius O’Kelly (1898-1965, Cork, and originally “Kelly”) had taught in both Gibralter and Wuzhou, China (!) before joining the staff at St. Mary’s in Halifax. He made his way to All Hallows and then Iona, eventually becoming headmaster of Iona Prep. A prize story: “He loved to get behind the wheel of a car, although he was close to being the world’s worst driver. Stopped by a policeman for a traffic violation, Jan passed him his wallet with the remark, ‘Here. You find the license. I can’t see without my glasses.’”
Br. Michael Finbar Bradley (1927-1972) died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 45, but had already begun to leave his mark on Iona College. Br. Bradley was born in New York City; his family then returned to Ireland in 1932, and lived for a time in Cork, where Brother attended the famous North Monastery School before the family came back to the States. At Iona, Br. Bradley taught in the Religious Studies Department and served as faculty moderator of the ICANN. “He was strong in his religious life and in his dedication to his work and to his students.”
