At Father Gabriel Richard High School, students are encouraged to pursue excellence grounded in faith, service, and scholarship. For alumna Molly O’Leary ’20, those values have shaped a path that’s taken her across the world—and deep into her cultural and spiritual roots. While serving as Campus Minister at Notre Dame’s O’Connell House in Dublin and pursuing her master’s in education at Trinity College, Molly reflects on how her time at FGR helped lay the foundation for a life of curiosity, purpose, and faith.
After graduating from FGR, Molly attended the University of Notre Dame, where she double majored in Psychology and Irish Language & Literature, while also minoring in Catholic Social Tradition and Data Science. It was an eclectic mix—intentionally so.
“The degrees I received at Notre Dame are all very different (and a mouthful!), and that’s exactly how I wanted it to be,” Molly says. “I was grateful that Notre Dame allowed me to take such a wide variety of classes during my first year, helping me discover what truly interested me—and what didn’t. My parents encouraged me to study what I love, assuring me that a job would follow. I decided to split my time between subjects I was truly passionate about and those I believed would provide useful career skills.”
That openness to learning shaped a college experience where one day she might be coding and working with statistics, and the next, reading papal encyclicals or exploring Irish prose. The diversity of her coursework helped prepare her for a life where faith and intellect intersect—values she first encountered at FGR.
“I always smile when I think about my years at FGR,” she recalls. “I felt that the teachers there were deeply committed to students’ well-being and cared about the development of the whole person. Teachers like Deacon Lawrence exemplified the principles of discipline and dedication to family. Leah Jansen instilled in me a real appreciation for other cultures and a drive to one day make it to Europe. Mr. Miller taught me how to truly read literature and find beauty in it.”
That passion for culture and literature eventually took Molly across the Atlantic for a summer abroad in Dublin, where her love for Irish language and heritage came to life.
“I always knew I was of Irish descent, but it wasn’t until I went to Notre Dame that my passion for exploring my heritage really began,” she explains. “I took Beginning Irish my freshman year and fell in love with the complexity of the language and the tragic yet beautiful history of Ireland’s native tongue.”
Molly’s enthusiasm didn’t stop in the classroom. While abroad, she immersed herself in Irish culture—studying literature, playing Gaelic football and hurling with the ND Gaelic Athletic Association, and learning traditional music. Her connection to her ancestors’ homeland became deeply personal.
“Knowing that my ancestors left Ireland in search of prosperity and education for their descendants, I feel that returning and celebrating this beautiful culture is a way to honor them.”
Today, Molly is sharing that experience with others as she ministers to Notre Dame students studying abroad in Dublin. In her role at O’Connell House, she offers spiritual guidance, pastoral care, and helps foster a sense of community rooted in faith and cultural appreciation.
“I have loved living in Dublin for the past year! Getting to continue working with Notre Dame and helping students experience Ireland for the first time has been amazing.”
She’s also enjoying the many surprises that come with living abroad.
“I think Americans would be surprised by just how small Ireland is. The entire island is only about the size of Indiana, yet its global impact is enormous—nearly 40 million Americans proudly claim Irish ancestry! Something that has truly impressed me is how the stereotype of the Irish being friendly is absolutely true. I admire how the average Irish person takes a genuine interest in getting to know you.”
Looking ahead, Molly hopes to return to the U.S. and someday bring her love of learning and faith into a Catholic university setting.
“I’m pursuing a master’s in education because I would love to one day work at a Catholic university like Notre Dame. As much as I enjoy living in Ireland, I’m also looking forward to returning to America.”
Through it all, Molly carries the foundation built during her time at Father Gabriel Richard—where faith, curiosity, and a heart for others took root and continue to grow across continents.