Michael Moriarty - General secretary, Irish Vocational Education Association

Where did you go to school?

At primary level I went to Tynock NS, Co Carlow, a small rural school on the Carlow/Wicklow border and at second level I was a boarder at De La Salle College, Waterford. From there, I went to St Patrick's College of Education, qualified as a primary teacher and then obtained a degree in history and economics from UCD.

What was your best subject?

I loved history, both political and social. I took up economics at UCD for the first time and I particularly liked the macro-economics element.

Who was your favourite teacher and why?

At primary level it was my father because of his wonderful stories of Celtic Ireland with its heroes and villains. At second level it was Dick Dowling, my geography teacher in De La Salle College, who taught us about geography in particular but politics, hurling and life in general.

Who was your childhood idol?

John F Kennedy, because he reflected a brave new world and a bright new future. He was regarded not just as a hero but also a saint in the Ireland of my youth. I remember watching him on television as he travelled throughout Ireland.

Who was your best friend and why?

Pat O'Donovan, because he was a good listener with wisdom beyond his youth.

What is he doing now?

He has a restaurant in Midleton, Co Cork. We haven't met for years but perhaps this will remind both of us that we should connect again and talk about the old days.

What TV show most reminds you of your school days?

My favourite television show was The High Chaparral. However, as boarders, we saw very little television except for an hour on Sunday evening and I can distinctly recall The Dean Martin Show, which Deano presented with a cigarette and a glass of whiskey. How times have changed.

What song most reminds you of your school days?

Bring on Back the Good Times by The Love Affair. I spent all my holidays in the Ventry-Dingle area of Co Kerry, and this was a big hit in the dancehalls.

What food most reminds you of your school days?

It had to be both porridge and peas, which were part of the staple diet for us boarders.

Who did you take to your debs?

I remember she was an entrant in the Rose of Tralee. I won't mention her name as she might prefer to forget about it!

Would you send your children to the same school you went to?

Personally I found boarding school in the late 1960s and early 1970s very difficult and what I missed most was family life, as boarding school was a case of survival of the fittest. I have one daughter, Síofra, who is more independent and single-minded than I was at her age. That said my teachers were excellent.

What was the best thing about your education?

The most abiding memory from my school years is the dedication, commitment and passion of a number of my teachers. I have tried to mirror these in my own life.

What was the worst thing about your education?

The narrow view of nationalism and nationalist Ireland, which was not tolerant of diversity in those days. My first year in secondary school, coincided with the 50th anniversary of the 1916 Rising, and there was a great fervour dedicated to asserting a national identity. Thankfully, today we are confident enough to assert that in other ways.