Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Friday 13°CSaturday 15°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Derry CityEducationNews

Patsy O’Kane: ‘Learning doesn’t stop when you retire’

written by cassoscoop September 23, 2022
ShareTweet

Community student Patsy O’Kane

A North West Regional College student who took up community classes following her retirement is encouraging others to consider taking a course at their local centre.

Patsy O’Kane spent 30 years of her career running the beautiful Beech Hill Hotel in Derry~Londonderry. During her time there she hosted a succession of famous guests that included Bill and Hillary Clinton, Ted Kennedy, John Carey, Will Ferrell, and Stephen Rea.

When retirement beckoned in 2019, Patsy struggled with how quickly her life slowed down. After three decades of running one of the North West’s most successful hotels, Patsy found retirement and letting go, difficult.

But after enrolling in NWRC’s community courses Patsy has found a new lease of life in computing and horticulture.
And she’s encouraging others thinking of taking up a part-time class to “forget about the word no” and just go for it.

She said: “I started my community course in IT at the Cathedral Youth Club in September 2021. I knew bits and pieces about computing.

“I could answer an email, but I couldn’t do anything more complicated. I wanted to know more about online purchasing, social media, and YouTube. “

Patsy retired in 2019, just a few months before lockdown.

“Retirement was difficult for me,” she said. “It was difficult to let go. The Beech Hill was my life for 30 years and I was passionate about what I did.

“I was someone who was always constantly planning and checking things and signing things off and suddenly it all stopped.

“Retirement was almost like a trauma – it was such a shock. I decided that I had to do something about it.

“I wanted to do something, and then the pandemic happened. Firstly, I got involved doing Tay Chi on zoom, then nutrition classes with activity and exercise, and then I enrolled on the Level 2 in Horticulture at NWRC online.

“I persevered with it and made great friends on the course. I was the most inexperienced, but I kept at it.

“Then I heard about the computer classes run by NWRC’s community team at the Cathedral Youth club.

“Jeannette Warke made me feel so welcome and George my tutor was brilliant. Most of us on the course were retired and some were more experienced with computers than others.

“I learned things I never thought I would like YouTube and buying items online.

“In fact, the IT and the Horticulture worked hand in hand because once I got the hang of YouTube I was able to use it to research my gardening and nutrition.

“My class also taught me about podcasts which I use for mindfulness which I find very beneficial.

“I would tell anyone like me to go for it – forget about the word no.

Community student Patsy O’Kane pictured with Jeanette Warke of the Cathedral Youth Club.

“I decided that retirement was going to be the start of my life, I would do all these things I’d never done before and spend more time with my grandchildren.

“I’ve also taken up swimming lessons and sewing classes.

“Sleep well and eat well you will have a healthy life that’s my motto.”

John Heuston, from NWRC’s community education team, said: “NWRC offers learning at community partners in venues throughout Derry~Londonderry, Limavady and Strabane.

“At our College, we strive to provide quality education and training for everyone, and many of the courses we offer provide the knowledge and skills you may need to develop your career, while other options can give you the chance to learn a new skill, meet new friends and enjoy a rewarding learning experience.

“These courses enable individuals and small groups to undertake short courses in areas including Essential Skills, GCSEs, Return to Study, and Hobby & Special Interest.

“Enrolment is now open and you can view our course guide online at: https://www.nwrc.ac.uk/study/course-guide

“If you find a course that interests you, please contact the relevant community centre for further details and enrol.

“We look forward to welcoming our students to their chosen course of learning this year and wish them every success.”

Patsy O’Kane: ‘Learning doesn’t stop when you retire’ was last modified: September 23rd, 2022 by cassoscoop

Tags:
CATHEDRAL YOUTH CLUBcommunity education teamDerry CityERIN HUTCHEONIT coursesJohn HeustonNorth West Regional CollegeNWRCPatsy O'Kane: 'Learning doesn’t stop when you retire’
ShareTweet
cassoscoop

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

‘Inaction on Foyle Bridge barriers and mental...

10 hours ago

Two charged over huge cannabis haul seized...

16 hours ago

Sadness as child dies and three others...

17 hours ago

PSNI discover huge cannabis factory near border

19 hours ago

Major investment in Capital Projects approved by...

1 day ago

Mayor looking forward to All Ireland Pipe-Band...

1 day ago

Mayor hosts Guardian of the Sperrins event

2 days ago

Durkan calls for urgent traffic calming measures...

2 days ago

Harkin: Stormont Executive must act now to...

2 days ago

Harkin: MPs must vote down punitive welfare...

2 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Two men in court after £1.2m cannabis find near border

    July 3, 2025
  • Two charged over huge cannabis haul seized in North West

    July 3, 2025
  • Two men to face Derry court over driving and drug offences

    July 2, 2025
  • Former Derry coach Rory Gallagher launches High Court action against GAA

    July 1, 2025
  • Derry man jailed over house burglary offences

    June 26, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy