A WEXFORD school has paid tribute to a “much loved” and “inspiring” teacher who passed away – as his funeral details are confirmed. 

Heartbreaking condolences poured in for school teacher Kevin Gahan, from Enniscorthy, who died suddenly on Tuesday.

Mr Gahan’s funeral mass will take place on Monday at 12 noon in St. Michael’s Church, Gorey, Co Wexford.

A burial will follow afterwards in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Gorey.

Gorey Community School will be closed on Monday as a mark of respect to their “beloved friend and teacher”.

GCS staff said: “As our school year approaches an end, it is with deep sadness that we share the sudden passing of our much loved colleague and teacher, Mr Kevin Gahan.

“Mr Gahan was a valued member of our school community, as a passionate teacher of Science, Physics and Biology. 

“He touched the lives of so many students and staff through his kindness, dedication, and care. 

“His humour and friendship was greatly valued by his friends in the staffroom, and he will leave an irreplaceable void as a result of his passing. 

“Kevin’s wife Elaine is also a member of our teaching staff, and his mother in law Edel is a valued SNA in GCS.”

GCS added: “As a school community, we will support one another in the days ahead and remember Mr Gahan with great affection and gratitude.”

Family, friends, colleagues and students remembered him as a “fantastic teacher” who had a “great ability to inspire”.

A friend said: “I have had the pleasure of working with Kevin for most of my 20 years at GCS and have so many memories of our chats, mostly about our adventures in the mountains, amongst a myriad of other things.

“Kevin was a pure gent and a fantastic teacher. We’ll miss you old pal.”

Another said: “Kevin was a great help to me when I first started teaching in GCS and was always a gentleman with a welcoming presence and a great sense of humour. He will be truly missed.”

A former student shared: “Mr Gahan was one of the most influential teachers I ever had. He taught me science between 2006 and 2009 and had a lasting impact.

“He had a quick wit and a gift for making science relatable to the real world, which made his classes both memorable and inspiring.”

While another added: “I’m lost for words over Mr Gahan’s sudden and tragic passing. 

“He was the loveliest, kindest and most easy going teacher.

“He had a great ability to inspire us all in leaving cert biology and would tell great stories on how to think about the textbook stuff in real life ways.”