Micheal (Mike) Johnston

I was very sad to hear about Michael’s death. He was a really lovely man with a friendly word for everyone. I was a DULBC member in the 80’s and we hugely appreciated his support and advocacy for women in rowing at a time when we didn’t always feel that welcome in the boathouse! His friendliness and support continued when I joined Commercial RC and even on the odd occasion when we met after I moved to Durham in the U.K. He was a stalwart of Irish Rowing and his contribution will be his legacy.
Sincere condolences to all the Johnston family.

Becky and all the Johnston family. Your Dad was a wonderful warm intelligent character. Making us all very welcome in Sandycove in the wee hours after a U2 concert - freshly baked loaves and homemade mead , add to that great banter and debate til the dawn and a parky swim. The whole family a joy to engage with always. He can be very proud. RIP.

Dear Pat, when I read of Mike’s death my heart & prayers went out to you and family…I could not reach you yesterday in Monkstown parish Church to greet you in person…..it all brought back so many good memories of times in the DSP
Keep well yourself,you have a good crew around you to see to that.Brenda, Conor & Darragh too

To Pat and all the family.
I was so sorry to hear of the sad death of your dear Michael. I have so many memories of those early days of the Dalkey School Project and how inspirational Michael was at all times. May he rest in peace.

A wonderful man. And a wonderful family.
My love to you all. Edward.

Mike was such a warm, welcoming and supportive presence in Islandbridge and time spent chatting to him was always well spent. He did so much, with so much enthusiasm and good humour. The sport was lucky to have him. My sympathy to Par and all the family.

I visited the Johnston home often as a teenager, and Mike, Pat and the whole family made my friends and I feel extremely welcome there. It was a warm, fun and safe place to spend time and I am very thankful for that.
Sincere condolences to the Johnston family on this huge loss.

Sincere condolences to the Johnston family on the sad passing of Micheal.
Micheal was a much respected character and a legend in the Irish rowing - he will be greatly missed.
May he rest in peace.

My sincere condolences to the Johnston family at this sad time. Thanks to Mike and his family, my daughter had the privilege to a wide and inclusive education at DSP and later in the new building at Newpark. A true example of how one person can change the world for so many. May he rest in peace. Go raibh míle maith agat.

My deepest sympathies to all of Michael's family and friends.
I have the privilege to teach in Monkstown Educate Together National School that was brought about thanks to his hard work. My late mum Mary Stuart always spoke so fondly of Michael. I also have the joy of my own children experiencing their educational journey through the Educate Together ethos, which wouldn't exist without amazing people like Michael. Thank you for your endless drive and determination Michael, we are are the lucky ones to benefit from your legacy.

Josh - I'm so sorry for your loss x

My condolences to Micheal Johnson's family and friends. I never met Micheal but I benefit from his work in educate together, legacy that any human should be very proud of. He left us much better off than he found us and that has moved me to show my appreciation and my respect to his family here.

I was so, so sorry to hear of Mike's passing. I will always think of him with a smile - an enormously warm and likeable person who was generous and welcoming to everyone he met. My sincere condolences to Pat and the rest of the family. May he rest in peace alongside lovely Luke who is forever in my thoughts.

So sorry to hear the sad news about Mike. Sincere condolences to Pat, Brigid, Becky, Anna and Josh. From even before the launch of Telefís Éireann, Mike and Pat became best friends. More than that, Mike became my mentor and his contribution did much to influence the rest of my life. There are so many fond memories of times spent together with Mike and Pat over the years. Their kindness and support will always be remembered.

My condolences on the passing of Mike. He made a huge contribution to Irish education with the establishment of DSP, that my brothers and my children attended, and I had the pleasure of meeting him there. His legacy lives on in the vibrant Educate Together movement.

Just a massive thankyou to Mike, and his family support, for the difference he made to the school system Both my children attended the Co-Ed, child centred, multi denominational Bray Project school, thanks to Mike. He made a difference. May he go in peace ❤️🙏

Sorry to hear the news of Michael’s passing. Love + Sympathy to Pat and all the Johnstons. Great memories of the Mac Conghails traipsing after the Johnstons up the Sugarloaf. Michael’s race commentaries on Olympic Rowing is also a fond memory. RIP.

Sympathies to the Johnston family on the death of Mike. His wonderful work with the Dalkey School Project is so appreciated by our family. His benign loyal presence will be much missed! RIP, a life well lived.

Condolences to Mike’s family, friends, and colleagues. I did not know Mike but his legacy lives on through the Educate Together schools. My daughters are lucky enough to have attended ET schools at both primary and second level. Something we are very grateful for. Thank you. Rest in peace.

Sincere condolences on the loss of your Dad. May he rest in eternal peace. John and Suzanne Hanrahan

Sorry to hear of the passing of Micheal, my condolences to all the Johnston Family, Micheal was a true gentleman and stand out figure in Irish Rowing. He will be sadly missed and may he Rest In Peace.

Deepest sympathy to the Johnston family on the death of Mike, my 8s, 4s and Sculling Coach.
Rest in peace.

Josh very sad for you on the death of your father, I remember you speaking of him fondly…. We will sing to his memory in the footnotes.

Sincere condolences to Michael’s family. In the early 90’s he gave generously of himself to lead a new group through the art of radio production. I was so lucky to be part of that motley crew. Rest easy Mike.
Tom McGuire, Mount Temple, WH

I had the great good fortune to work with Micheal when I began my career in RTE. He was always warm, always welcoming, always funny... a great mentor and work colleague. May he rest in peace.

My sincere condolences to all the family. I had the honour of working with Michael in Radio for many years. A true and loyal colleague, he was an inspiration to all who knew him.

Becky and family, I was so sorry to hear the sad news about your lovely Dad. When I was a young journalist in RTE, he was always very encouraging. Thinking of you all at this sad time

Michael was one of the kindest men I ever met.When I joined RTE in 1966, a callow nervous young man from Cork, he took me under his wing and in his Group A office, wearing his reassuring striped shirt, corduroy trousers and braces, he mentored me gently like a loving elder brother. May his spirit rest in peace.

Sorry for your loss Pat
He was always such a gent with the most infectious smile
We will continue to miss his presence along the foreshore
Sending you and all of your family love and my deepest condolences

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mike Johnston. We will remember him with warmth and gratitude, a true gentleman. Our heartfelt condolences to Pat and all his loved ones at this difficult time.

Nisheeth and all at Rasam

My deepest sympathies to Pat and to all Mike's family. I fondly remind the visionary group, central to which was Mike, developing the Dalkey School Project. They were days of great achievement, and fun. Mike, and Pat, made a huge contribution to a more tolerant and joyous Ireland. His was truly a life well lived.

Very sorry to hear about Mike. My deepest sympathy to his beloved wife Pat and all the family. It was a great privilege to have known Mike. I am so grateful for all his skills that got The Dalkey School Project up and running. May Michael's memory be a blessing. R.I.P.

We remember Michael with deep affection and gratitude for all he gave to Educate Together. At a time when few dared to imagine a different kind of education, he worked with courage and conviction to make it real. His kindness, vision, and quiet determination touched so many lives.

Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathy are with his beloved wife, Pat, and all the family. May they find comfort in knowing how deeply Michael is remembered and how far his influence will continue to reach.

My deepest sympathy to Pat and all the family on the passing of Michael. It was always a pleasure to meet him and he was such a good friend to all in rowing. May he rest in peace.

My deepest sympathy to Pat and all the Johnston family on the death of your beloved Michael. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Irish Rowing has lost one of its most loyal servants. I particularly remember, and am grateful for, Micheal’s advice, information and encouragement when I was writing ‘In Black & White’. And his own magnum opus, ’The Big Pot’, has a prominent place on my bookshelves, ready for repeated consultation. My sincere condolences to Pat and all his family.

Deepest sympathy and condolences to Pat and family on the sad passing of your beloved Mike.He was a wonderful person and had a kind word for everyone at rowing events. He made a huge contribution to rowing over many decades.
He contributed so much to Dublin sculling ladder which he founded 60 years ago and so helpful in assisting crews in any way he could at Henley Royal regatta.
May you rest in peace Mike.

Every sympathy to Pat and family on Mike’s sad passing. So many memories flood back of the regatta circuits of the sixties and his coaching skills and enthusiasm to ‘put a tiger in the tank’ leading to GSBC securing that elusive Senior Pot and Grand Slam for the first time. A true worthy gentleman to all.

My deepest sympathy to Pat, Josh and all the family on your loss. Being able to send my children to a multi-denominational school meant a lot to me, and we would not have had that chance if Michael and Pat had been less determined in their efforts to start one in Dublin. Educate Together is his legacy to Ireland. Thanks for that from myself and my family. We will miss him.

Deepest sympathy and condolences to Pat and all the family from me personally and on behalf of DUBC. Mike was rowing in Ireland in so many ways and his contribution will be not be forgotten.

Dear Pat and family
We are so very sorry to hear of Michael’s passing and send you all our prayerful condolences. He was always a joy to meet especially at rowing events. He was such a happy man with an infectious enthusiasm for life and friendship. We remember him with gratitude for his wonderful life. God bless his dear soul

Sincere sympathies on the passing of Mike. Thinking of all his family and friends at this time.May your memories bring you comfort during this difficult time. Sending you strength and peace in the days ahead.

Our sincere condolences to Pat and all the Johnston family. Our children were among those who benefitted from the hard work that Michael and all the founders put into the establishment of the Dalkey School Project. He has left such a great legacy.

Sincere sympathy to Pat and the Johnston family on your sad loss. May he rest in Peace. Many great memories of Michael from the sixties with GSBC. Always a joy to meet.

It is with sadness that I learned of the death of your beloved Mike.
Deepest sympathy to Pat and the Johnston family at this difficult time.
May Mike rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to Pat and family and the extended Johnston family on the passing of Mike. May Mike Rest in Peace. Mike was a real gentleman. I got to know Mike in 1965 when he was involved in coaching in the Garda
Boat Club. His Big Pot book was and is a lovely publication.

I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Michael. As a former coach of the Garda Boat Club and founder of The Dublin Sculling Ladder, he leaves behind a remarkable legacy within the rowing community.

I have such fond memories of jovial chats with Michael in and around the Sculling Ladder during my rowing days — he was always full of good humour and genuine warmth. A true gentleman, whose passion for the sport and kindness towards others will be long remembered.

My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him. May he rest in peace.

My sincere condolences to Becky, Anna, Josh, Pat and all the extended family on the passing of Michael. Michael and Pat were always a presence in my time at Newpark, and in the Sandycove / Dalkey area. I know he will be greatly missed.

Micheál Johnston was an urbane and courtly presence in Irish rowing. He was a rigorous umpire and, of course, an able writer. We will miss him.

We are all so sorry to have lost Mike - a key founder and longtime supporter of the Educate Together movement. Always positive and strategic, his leadership, skills and enthusiasm made such a difference, not just in the fight to establish the Dalkey School Project, but over many years at different stages in our organisation's development.
Mike’s wisdom, advice and encouragement are sorely missed, but he leaves an enormous legacy in Educate Together and in Irish education, through the 41,000 children and young people now in our schools and beyond.
Sincere condolences to Pat and all the family from all of us in the Educate Together network.
Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.

It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Michael Johnston.
Fifty years ago, Michael was very kind to me in the run up to the World Championships. Michael was adamant that this first women’s crew to represent Ireland at the Worlds was a milestone for women’s rowing in Ireland. Michael was always encouraging and a great supporter of Skibbereen Rowing Club.
A wonderful friend who always had time for a chat, Michael never failed to have another original idea for rowing and never ceased to promote the international fund. His knowledge of rowing was encyclopaedic, and his passion was inspiring. He will be sorely missed.
My sincere sympathy to Pat, family and friends on the loss of Michael. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
Nuala Lupton

Deepest sympathy to Pat and Family on the passing of "Dressing gown Mike" as he known in our family. What a lovely Gentleman. We always enjoyed meeting him along the seafront, on way to the 40ft. May He rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to you Josh on the death of your Dad.
May he rest in peace.

I was very saddened to hear of the death of Michael. I remember his kindness, graciousness, and the values that he lived by, he was always ready to help with the Tidy Towns and the beach cleaning , each morning he collected up the cans etc, with the help of his wife and hisbeautiful dog by his side.He has left an archive of Happy memories.
A life well lived.
Margaret, Albert Road.

Deepest sympathy to Pat and all of Mike's family and friends. A true pioneer, Mike overcame every obstacle put in his way as he embarked on broadening the choices offered in our education system. He was also a genial host as he treated so many of us to elaborate hospitality in his home in Sandycove. Rest in peace Michael!

Deepest condolences to Pat and family.He will be missed by all your fellow Forty Footers Pat . His infectious laughter cheered many of us on dark winter mornings and his wet togs foot flick was better than Pele at the 1958 World Cup Catherine , Donal and family

My deepest sympathies to Josh and the entire Johnston family on the sad passing of Mike. May he rest in peace.

Mike was such a great person. When I was young I learned so much from him about how to live life. I carry it with me to this day. Ever grateful to him and all of his family.

Deepest sympathy to Josh, Pat, and all the Johnston family on Mike's passing.

My sincere condolences to the Johnston family on the sad passing of Micheal.
Micheal was a larger than life character as well as being a legend in the rowing world.
May he rest in peace.

Michael will be remembered for his enthusiasm and love of life. He was a trailblazer in education and Educate Together schools exist because he cared. He and Pat would be at the side of hockey pitches, at DSP sports days and winter markets, surrounded by their children and grandchildren.
Sincerest sympathies to Pat and all the Johnston family.
May Michael rest in peace