School

SCHOOLS 1824 - 2006

Below is a selection of photographs of the various School Buildings over the years

Current School
Old Boys and Girls School
Old Hedge School
Old School House

1824

In 1824 there were six schools in the united parishes of Mountnugent and Ballinacree.

1. The chapel of Crossrah held by Terence Lynch. 3 Protestants and 77 Catholics.
2. Dungimmon, taught by Patrick Magennis in a thatched house. 2 Protestants and 86 Catholics.
3. Ballinacree chapel, taught by Robert Fitzsimons. 3 Protestants and 74 Catholics.
4. Thomas Caffrey's house at Ballinacree. He had 18 pupils.
5. At Rathclahy John Reilly taught 6 Protestants and 52 Catholics in a thatched house.
6. At Aughaderragh, Owen Smyth conducted school in a thatched house, there were 76 pupils.

An Irish Society school was held at Mountnugent under Christopher Nugent, a Protestant. It was attended by 20 Protestants and 14 Catholics.

1835

In 1835 there were seven schools in operation.

1. At Dungimmon, teacher Bartle Smith
2. At Crossragh, teacher Bernard Brady, opened 1835
3. Kilbride, teacher Patrick Lynch
4. Dungimmon, teacher Michael Donnelly, opened 1834
5. Grieve, teacher Owen Daly, opened 1834
6. Ross, opened November 1834
7. Killeagh chapel, teacher Patrick Griffin

1851

Kibride School
Tradition tells of a school at Kilbride graveyard in the house later occupied by James Gillic. The master's Name was Finnegan and the pupils sat on stone benches around the walls and brought straw mats.

Dungimmon
Opened in 1851. It was replaced by a new school built by Fr. Gerrard in 1916. Dungimmon school was closed on 1 July 1966 and its 26 pupils were transported by bus to Garrysallagh school.

Garrysallagh
Erected in 1855, a replacement school, build in 1896 was opened 3 January 1897. Closed 30 November 1981.

Ballinacree
Ballinacree was opened in August 1864. It was replaced by a new building in 1893 (photo). Ballinacree new school was built in 1960 (photo), it was officially opened and blessed by Rev. Michael Troy in September 1961. The architect was Mr. Boyd-Barrett of the Board of Works and it was built by Messrs. Doherty & Son of Ballyjamesduff.

Ross
Ross was erected in 1884.

Mountnugent
The new school was opened and blessed on 1 December 1981 by Rev. John Molloy. It was designed by Mr m Daly of the Board of Works and was built by Messrs. Doherty & Son of Ballyjamesduff.

In 1940 there was a total of 220 pupils in the parish, this was reduced to 175 in 1966, but by 1988 had increased to 202.