Profile on Eugene Gerard Martin
Principal of Ulidia Integrated College, Carrickfergus.
Eugene Gerard Martin was born on 6th November, 1955, in west Belfast. He grew up in
the Protestant part of the Roman Catholic Ardoyne area that was to become synonymous with sectarian conflict, when the “troubles” began, in the 1960s. The family was petrol-bombed out of their home in August 1969, and lived, temporarily, in Ardglass. Eugene has fond memories of the fishing fleet that thrived there at the time.
In order to protect his family from becoming embroiled in the conflict, Eugene’s father, Hugh, moved the family to North Belfast, where Eugene attended St Patrick’s College.
Eugene’s father was disabled, due to an accident at his work, and his mobility was severely affected. However, he inspired his son with a love for DIY and Eugene is now able to turn his hand to any job in the home, with expertise.
The “Troubles” spread and in 1970, Eugene walked past a police station as a bomb exploded. His face was cut with flying glass and the deep scar on his chin is still visible. To this day, he is startled by loud, unexpected noises.
Eugene’s mother, Margaret, known affectionately as Dot by her friends, was a district nurse. She had eight children, of whom seven survived. The effort of caring for them and her disabled husband, and holding down a demanding job, resulted in her suffering a severe stroke when Eugene was 15. This left her wheelchair bound and unable to speak. Nevertheless, she remained the centre of the family and both parents, who were practising Roman Catholics, instilled in their children the Christian values of compassion, love and open-mindedness.
Eugene wanted to contribute to the family income and after school and over his holidays, he worked in a local butcher’s shop. He continues to have a great sense of responsibility towards family. He also worked hard at school. He longed to teach and he secured a place at what was then known as the New University of Ulster, at Coleraine. Eugene graduated in 1979, with a 2:1 Honours degree in Mathematics and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. He later returned to the university to do a further degree course and obtained an MA in Educational Management.
Eugene’s first teaching job was as a Mathematics teacher, in Dundonald Girls’ High School, in Protestant east Belfast. His recalls that his Head of Department advised him to change his name when he began teaching, from Eugene to Gerry, and he remembers interesting moments from those days, such as the time when a pupil came rushing into his classroom shouting, “Sir, there’s a fenian in the school!” His reply was, “Where?” (A nun had arrived at reception, seeking directions.)
All of this seemed very wrong to Eugene who had already met and fallen in love with Moyra Spence, a Protestant. They met at university and married on 1st April, 1980. Neither could ever understand the sectarian conflict that was raging throughout Northern Ireland.
They have four children: Lara, Andrew, Nadine and Philip. Two of the children are baptised in the Protestant faith, and two in the Roman Catholic faith. They are equally able to enter either church, and respect and understand the services. Integration begins at home.
But with the remit of his job in education, Eugene realised that it was time for a change.
Eugene left Dundonald Girls’ High School as Head of Mathematics and Information Technology, and moved to Lagan College. He remained at Lagan College from 1987 – 1997, as a Senior Teacher and Pastoral Care Coordinator. Between 1991 and 2001, he was also Chief Examiner of O.C.R., in England.
Lagan College had a profound effect on Eugene, showing him how well children, from different religious and political persuasions, can integrate at school, and make lifelong friendships across the sectarian divide.
Thus, in 1997, Eugene left the security of his job at Lagan College to become Principal of the East Antrim Integrated College, at Whitehead, County Antrim. This new school had no government backing or funding, and could have been closed after a few months.
Eugene remembers, “No building, no children enrolled, no money (or any prospect of money), no funding, no teachers – and yet the whole steering group was smiling and talking of the future. We were all mad!”
The Northern Ireland Council for Integrated education (NICIE) supported the school, and The All Children Together Movement and the Integrated Education Fund (IEF) raised money to keep the school afloat. On 1st September, 1997, East Antrim Integrated College became the 44th integrated school to open in Northern Ireland – with 63 Year 8 pupils!
The school was renamed Ulidia Integrated College. “Ulidia” is Latin for “Uladh”, which, from the 5th to the 14th centuries, was the name for the region that would later be known as Ulster.
In September 1999, Ulidia moved its premises – mobile accommodation – to Carrickfergus, County Antrim. But, despite its continued growth, the UK government still could not be convinced that an integrated school could survive in this predominately Protestant area of north east Antrim. However, Mo Mowlam, a strong supporter of Ulidia, visited the school for its official opening and delivered a key-note speech, televised world-wide, in support of peace.
Under Eugene’s management, Ulidia has thrived (receiving government backing and finance in the year 2000). It now has 574 pupils and 41 teachers, and it is oversubscribed every year.
During his time as Principal of Ulidia Integrated College, Eugene’s achievements include being asked to address the dignitaries at Fishmongers’ Hall, in London, in 2002, and the American Ireland Fund’s St. Patrick’s Day Dinner, in Washington, in 2003, concerning integrated education. On 17th March, 2005, Eugene and two pupils, Rosie Hassin and Shannon Graham, met the President of the United States in a private audience, explaining the importance of integrated education in fostering strong bonds between the two communities in Northern Ireland.
He is also proud that in August, 2012, 97.1% of Ulidia’s pupils achieved three A Levels at grades A* – C. The Belfast Telegraph said, “A non-selective school has the highest success rate of any Northern Ireland post-primary school at A-level… beating every one of Northern Ireland’s 68 grammar schools to claim pole position.” Eugene said, in response, “Being the top school in Northern Ireland is a tremendous achievement for the staff and students for a relatively new, integrated college in Carrickfergus.”
The mission statement of Ulidia Integrated College is:
“Educating together,
Catholics and Protestants,
And those of other religions or none,
In an atmosphere of understanding and tolerance
To the highest academic standards.”
Eugene, his governors, his staff and pupils, believe in the truth of this statement. It has summed up Eugene’s career in education and has influenced his principles as a father.
Ulidia has always been Eugene’s 5th child and he is very proud of the school and all his staff and pupils that have part of the school over the last 19 years . He says, “I have enjoyed every single minute of it! Every single day is different and if I had to go back in time, I wouldn’t change one single, solitary thing. It is still the best school in the province.”
Eugene considers it a privilege to have created a school, alongside the steering group, governors, staff and parents and to have overseen its development for the last 19 years. He will miss his colleagues and especially the enthusiasm of the pupils, but now he is looking forward to retirement – a new chapter in his life. He loves sailing and he intends to travel with his wife, and to enjoy more time with his amazing family who have been incredibly supportive during his career.
We wish him a long and happy retirement.
