The School's story,
as
well as a whole lot more,
from
Fifth and Sixth Class.
Stair na Scoile - The history of
the School
In the 1960’s both Coolboyogue N.S.- situated
on the main Cavan/Butlersbridge road- and Kilnalack N.S. –situated on the
Belturbet /Butlersbridge road- were in poor repair and without proper heating
or flush toilets. The Department of Education decided to close both schools and
build a central school in Butlersbridge village. Both old schools were closed
on the last day of January 1974, and the pupils arrived at the school on
February 4th 1974 .The school was officially opened by Mr Richard
Burke T.D., Minister for Education, in June 1974 ,and was blessed by Most Rev.
Dr. Mac Kiernan.
The school contractor was James Mc Govern,
Bawnboy, and the contract price was £24,000. The parish contribution was
£2,000.
Teachers: Philip Smyth [principal] 1974-1993
Ann Smyth 1974-1994
Ann Brady 1974-1975
Mary Cunningham 1975-1979
Evelyn Brady [vice-principal] 1979-
Terry Leddy [principal] 1993-
Catherine Fitzpatrick 1995-
Denise Carter 1998-
Geraldine Donohoe [remedial] 1999-
Coolboyogue N.S. was the oldest school in the area .The original school
was in a small garden to the right of Deggan Lane ,while a Catholic Church was
situated in Drumgola on the left hand side of Deggan Lane .The present school
house occupies the former site of the chapel.
The present building was erected in 1884 and
it was renovated and a new classroom built in 1938.The Boys’ Register dates
back to 1863 and the Girls’ Register to 1865. The school was replaced by
Butlersbridge Central in 1974 and was sold to Paddy Tully in 1975 who converted
it into a comfortable dwelling house.
Teachers: Philip Ruddy 1910-1950
Annie Caldwell 1918-1923
Patrick Keaveney 1950-1968
Mary B. Gormley
Rose Smith / Cahill 1905-1916
Evelyn Morgan 1917-1918
Ann Smyth 1968-1974
Philip Smyth 1968-1974.
Kilnalack N.S. was a small two-roomed slated building which stood
between Butlersbridge / Belturbet Rd. and Annagh Lake . It opened in 1890 and
closed in 1974. There were two carved stones on the southern gable. The stone
at the top bore a coat of arms, a serpent twisted around a vine with the words
‘Fortitudine et Sapientia,' while the other said ‘Honour thy Father and thy
Mother‘. [In 1995 we chose the above coat of arms for our school crest.] No
trace of the school now remains as the present road goes through the middle of
the former site.
Teachers: Mrs. Fitzpatrick Patrick
Keaveney
Mrs Callaghan Ann Brady
Lily O Dowd Kathleen Leddy.
I don’t care about the rest
Winter has its good points
Winter has its bad
Some things make me really mad
Some things make me really glad
BY JENNIFER
Christmas is a time of
year.
When people are full of
cheer.
Lots of present’s under the
tree.
Many surprises for you and
me.
Look out the window and
you will see,
The ground is white as
snow.
Christmas is so much
fun.
I can’t wait for it to
come.
John
My Long Holiday In England
My daddy worked in England
with Telecom Eireann from 1994- 1996 and we went over to stay with him for a
little while. We went to England by ferry. It took eight hours to get there.We
stayed in Newport in Wales. There were lots of shops, a swimming pool to go to.
There were lots of parks too. Then Daddy was moved to Portsmouth and we went with
him. Portsmouth is a seaside city. There was Sea World and the Pyramide Centre.
We went to Sea World to see lots of different fish and sharks. We went to the
Pyraide Centre to where there were lots of slides and I went on them all and
there was a wave machine. There was a new part of the city and an old part of
the city . The old part was surrounded by a huge wall which was used during
World War 1 and 2. The old ship Mary Rose was docked in Portsmouth harbour.
Portsmouth is also a university city. We came home by Seatmate.
Tara.
Poems
A
Clear Winter
Winter is clear as ice.
leafless trees wave their branches.
As the wind is whistling out.
All are in At a warm fire,
But not for long.
Snowflakes falling from the sky.
Niall
Its a white winter,
And icicles are hanging from
the roof tops.
Then suddenly out pops a hedgehog
from under a hedge
Looking for food.He's going into
hibernate any day soon.
He's looking for berries,worms and
nuts.It's a hard life for
a hedgehog in winter
Lisa
hhhhhhh
Sonia won the Cross-Country
Caitriona won the Marathon
Galway won the All-Ireland
and
The Bridge won the league.
France won the World Cup
Brazil didn’t win
Hakkinen won the F1 Championship
and
Arsenal won the Double.
That’s what happened
In this year of 1998.
Donal
+^^^^^^^^+
It was
a dark and dreary night . Mum and Dad were fast asleep as I tip toed down the
staircase and out the front door . There was a gentle zephyr running through
the scrawny trees . I stood there thinking what I was going to do when a spider
quickly scurried to the refuge of its sturdy web . I walked slowly toward the
gate over the rugged gravel . Then, as if out of nowhere, raindrops pelted the
bendy road . I marched bravely down the road towards my destination but I had a
few more obstacles to over come yet . I crawled through thorny bushes which
left scrapes of evidence over my skin . Onwards I trudged through bogs and
fields . Then a black cat crossed my path and meowed as if to say my mission
would fail . Splash ! I stumbled over a piece of wood into a flooded field
where I thought again, why was I doing this ? Maybe my friend was mistaken . I
limped on looking in all directions as if I was a fugitive running from the
police . Then all of a sudden I skidded to a halt . A drain just too big to
jump blocked my path . I had to wade through , not that this worried me , for I
was already soaking wet . The mud squelched between my toes as I climbed down
the slippery bank trying to get a proper foot hold . At first the water seemed
very cold as it tried to bring me along with the current but did’nt succeed in
doing so . I climbed steadily out from the stream to find a bull staring me
straight in the eyes . The bull was huge with massive horns so I did’nt come
any closer but just leaped back into the drain . I was petrified . I let the
current take me to the next field which I hoped would be deserted . Luckily it
was . So once again I climbed out of the freezing cold water and on to dry land
. At this point the rain began to get, heavier as if God was telling me’turn
back it’s not worth it. I felt a shiver running down my spine as if a cold
finger was running along my back. Soon enough I reached the foot of a hill that
was so high it towered over me. It was’nt quite Mount Everest, well actually it
was’nt even Carrauntoohil, but it was the highest in the area . I had to get to
the top before 12 midnight. I glanced at my watch when I noticed it was 11:55pm
. I raced up the nearly vertical hill stumbling all the way . I stopped for a
rest when I saw a hungry fox out to find its next victim . Shortly afterwards I
continued up the hill and at last I reached the summit . I had made it on time
. I fell on my back hardly able to breathe . At this stage my eyes were used to
the dark and I could see for miles and miles around . I stood there for
approximately half an hour but nothing happened . Then I saw a pair of bats
flying joyfully in the moon light and just as I was about to go home I heard a
hum of an engine . Two bright lights glared at me . I wanted to run but my legs
did’nt get the signal . My friend was right . It was all falling into place .
The only thing that entered my mind was aliens ,aliens from an other planet
,the lights came closer and closer blinding me all the way until it could’nt come
any closer without flattening me . Then the lights dimmed and a voice came .
The voice said,"You kid , get out of my way I’m trying to pass through
here ." I looked up and there stood farmer Joe ."Sorry" I said
and farmer Joe replied "Well you should be" Then I said "But
what are you doing here" ? " I should be asking you the same question
but if you must know I’m going to check my cattle ." I moved aside and let
him through . The tractor chucked on and into the next field . Aliens! What was
I thinking ? I slid down the hill when a few more questions entered my mind ,
like what was I going to tell Mum and Dad ? And why was farmer Joe checking his
cattle at night ? What was he really doing ? Do you know what ? I smell another
adventure!
Steven
=============
Mam
and Dad and my little brother Simon and I went for a surprise day . We all went
to the Nation ploughing Championships in Ferns co. Wexford .We were going on
September 30th. During the night at 2.30 am Simon got sick.Next morning Mum
said can,t go .I said why Mum? Simon got sick . I said I got an idea. Daddy
said what,s the idea? . The idea is you and I go to the ploughing . Daddy went
to milk at 5.45am . Daddy was back 7.00 am and I got up . Daddy and I went at 8
o clock Daddy drove to Cavan to Meath to Dublin to Wicklow to Ferns . We there
at 12. Noon . There were tractors combines plough balers bale wrappers slurry
tanks Redrock diet feeders Forage harvester Mowers. Daddy was talking to the
family who own the land .There was a threshing machine in action . Daddy and I
saw three Forage harvester. Mc Hale had a new mini linkage bale wrapper .There
was hondas .I got a free spin. Daddy and I were up on a J.C.B Fastrack . There
was double wheels on some tractors . There was loaders of all kinds. There was
all kinds for tractors . At 3.00 PM Daddy and I went to the watch the ploughing
before we went home .Daddy and I went to Dublin shopping centre . First we went
to Mc Donalds and Argos . I got something for myself and Simon . We were home
at 12.00 midnight . Daddy said he was talking to Mr Walsh and Mary Mc Aleese .
I asked Daddy how many people were there. Daddy said 70,000.
Niall
Fields of Home was an exiting and wondrous book.It tells
the story of three children, Eily,Michael and Peggy, and how the famine has
changed their lives.
Eily married and has two children.They live with their
father John and grand-aunt Nano.Then John has a fight with the landlords agent,
and Eily is afraid they will be evicted.But with the help of Mary-Brigid and
Michael’s horse.The family stay on Powers farm.
Peggy moved to America and now she is starting to explore
the city.She meets James Connolly and they marry.They decide to move out west
and start a new life.
Michael is the man of the family.He works as a stable boy at
Castletaggart stables.There he meets Mercy a maid.But then the house goes on
fire and everything is destroyed.The two depart and Michael goes and lives with
Eily and saves her from eviction.
This is the third in a trilogy of books.Under the Hawthorn
Tree,Wild Flower Girl and Fields of Home.I liked this book the best.
Helen
abcdefghijk
It was
the 30th of October and I was really looking forward to Halloween. I was so
excited that I couldn’t get to sleep that night. Finally I got to sleep. I had
a strange dream that I was asleep and there was a vampire looking over me. I
woke up and saw him and then I ran into my mother and fathers room. My father
went into my bedroom and came back and said "you must have been
dreaming". Mammy and daddy came into say good night. They started to
whisper. I was very curious to hear what they were saying. They said "good
night"and went out. I followed them down into the basement. There were
bottles of blood down there. I saw my mother picking up a bottle and drinking
it I shouted. My mother and father heard me and started to run after me. I ran
into the bathroom and got the gun out of the hotpress where we hid it. I
climbed out the window and came back into the house quietly. They were still
shouting at the door "Sarah Sarah come out its not what you
think" I was behind them. I said "stick them up". They turned
around and started walking to me. I said stop. But they didn’t. So I shot them.
My father was still alive. I kicked him on the back of the head. His eye balls
fell out. He was dead. So was my mother.I rang the police. The police found my
real mother and father in the garage. I went to bed at 2am and got up at 12pm.
It was time for dinner. I got my costume and went out tricker treating. I told
my friends the story. They didn’t believe me.I had a great time. A week after
the police told us that they were impostors.
Angela
cccccccccc
Winter is coming
The weather is quite cold
Santa will not come if you are bold
Instead he might give you an old piece of mould.
Animals are hibernating
Snow is on the ground
We go up the hill to sleigh
And then we come back down.
SENNIN
I was
really excited when I got the news that I had won a trip around the world. I
decided to start my trip in June.I left Ireland and flew to France and stayed
in Paris. I then went to Italy and went to see the leaning tower of Pisa.I then
went to Greece where I spent two weeks in glorious sunshine. I flew back to
America via London where I visited the tower of London, and Big Ben. In New
York I went to see the Statue of Liberty. I always wanted to return to Florida
and visit Disney world again.
This was
now mid July. The weather was very hot and I said I would go home and I did.
Pauric
Mark has always wanted to be a policeman
and he had lots of toy guns. He was eight years old and loved to play police
games.But once he was a policeman, it was the 16th of June, it was
his birthday.He was having great fun. He got a football, a fishing rod, and
£30. They were playing football when Uncle Jack came. He gave him a detective
kit. Then everyone came inside to eat cake. Mark’s mum had made an ice-cream cake.
It had smarties, flake,strawberries, and chocolate fingers on it. Everyone
loved the cake. Mark’s gran asked what he got he showed her the football, the
fishing rod, and the detective kit, but where was the £30?He asked his mum
where it was, but she didn’t know. Then he asked Jack and he didn’t know
either, but he said to use his detective kit. Mark got ready. When he was
ready, he looked for clues. He found a half eaten mint biscuit where he left
the £30. He also questioned the suspects who were Jack, Mum, Gran, Peter the
school brain-box, brother Jim.All these people love mint biscuits.But
Peter is not here because he is
sick.Then he found a fingerprint. It was a loop. Mum had a whorl, Gran had an
arch, but Jack and Jim had a loop. Mark was so confused, who had the money?
Suddenly Mum said
"Uncle Jack got here when all the
mint biscuits were gone ". So that meant Jim had the £30.Jim gave back the
money and said "sorry"! That night,Mark wrote about it. He called it
Mark’s Mystery.
By Gary
Monster Party
.Vesta Witch was there
and Frankenstein with Professor Brainly.Dracula and the Ghostly Pair were there
too.Oh anyone who was anyone was at that party.
It was Hallowe’en and
invitations were flying everywhere the Broomstick Post was completly full and
the staff were overworked .But there was only one party anyone wanted to go
to,the Ghoulies Party at the Haunted House.People sat beside the postbox
waiting for the post .Finally my invitation came this is what it said "Come to our party .Fun and
games guaranteed. Food and Drink monster style.Be there or Beware"I was so excited .Then I started
to worry,what would I wear ,what would everyone else be wearing.
Finally Hallowe’en
arrived.It was a beautiful night with a full moon and a slight breeze blowing.I
hopped on my broomstick and popped down to the ‘Deluxe Witches Accessories
shop"and bought a shiny new black hat.Then I started off on the long
journey to the Haunted House-the home of the Ghoulies .The round moon lit up
the sky like a huge lantern.When I arrived there was quite a crowd gathered at
the front door . Then one vampire emerged from the crowd and strode up to the
door and knocked sharply twice .The door creaked open to reveal a beautiful
lady in a black cloak .Every one entered the hall and they could see a
wonderful sight --food and drink and a huge dance floor.Everything a witch
wants at a party .Then the music started ,such music it was like nothing else I
had ever heard before.All was going well until one of the hosts called out’’Now
for some fun and games ,follow me’’.So we all ran and hopped on our broomsticks
and took of into the night sky .It’s bad enough with one witch heading off to
cause mischief but with hundreds its a different thing.We were out there for
about half an hour and we had done all the usual stuff ,rattle tiles,knocked
chimneys,broke windows and all that.But then the rest wanted to do something
really bad so before I knew it they had swooped down and snatched a small
child. All very well for them who were gone too quick for the mortals to react
and it was me who was cornered by throngs of angry humans shouting
Kill the witch,kill the
witch".When I look back on it it’s kinda funny since almost half of them
were dressed as witches.Somehow I managed to break through the advancing circle
of humans ,in the process I lost my broomstick so I just ran like a mad person
until I saw my friend Milder hovering in front of me with a spare broomstick
.We sped off towards the moon .I landed in the front yard of my house and waved
goodbye to Mildred .I went inside and almost tripped over my cat, Sparkle ,and
stumbled up to bed.
aujujuauaujujuauaujujuauaujujuauauju aoife
Reunion.
The
year is 1843. Our setting is the small village of Butlersbridge in Cavan. This
story focuses on the lives of two fifteen year old boys ,Joseph and Niall. The
boys are the best of friends ;they grew up together and helped each other
through thick and thin. Our story begins on a Saturday evening at
Joseph’s
house.
"What
do you want to tell me?", said Niall inquisitively’’ I hope you didn’t
call me away from the few morsels of food I have for nothing.""No
Niall, I told you to come here because......because......Oh I hate to say
this......I’m moving to America!" There was silence as Niall tried to take
it in. "You’re joking , aren’t you " said Niall hopefully. "I
wish I was joking"
,said
Joseph, "but I’m not. I’m afraid there’s nothing here for us, we can
barely survive." Niall said his good-byes and went to the harbour to wave
Joseph and his family off. Luckily Joseph and his family survived the perilous
journey on the often un-seaworthy vessels.
Back
in Ireland things were’t going too well: there was a famine, the potato crop
had failed and the landlords were demanding more rent money. Eventually Niall
and his family were forced to move to America. They moved to Dallas which is a
small city in the south of North America. Niall’s father decided to set up a
bar and the business eventually grew. Soon there were bars all over Dallas
belonging to Niall’s family.Niall’s father, James, was always looking for a
little more cash here and there which is understandable because the poor man
lived in poverty nearly all his life. Well one day when James was out and about
he saw a sign in a shop window which said: Slaves for sale at the old mill.
Come one, come all. Finest slaves in the south guaranteed ! Niall’s father saw the sign and he had an idea. That
night he talked with his wife and they decided to invest in some slaves. Soon
Niall’s father was travelling hundreds of miles buying slaves and selling them
on at a higher price.
Meanwhile
in Cleveland (the town that Joseph and his family had moved to)Joseph and his
family were struggling to survive. Joseph and his brothers went to work in a
saw-mill while his sister worked in the local store. His father had bought some
land and was clearing the land to make a small holding. They were luckier than
most but had to work hard to make a living.
In
1861 a war broke out between the people of the south who kept slaves and those
in the north( led by President Abraham Lincoln ) who thought that this was
unjust. Joseph and Niall both joined the army but Joseph joined the northern
army and Niall joined the southern army. Both of them progressed through the
ranks from foot-soldiers to generals. and were in charge of hundreds of men.
Joseph and his comrades planned to attack NewOrleans which was one of the main
cities in the south of North America. They planned to attack sending in all the
soldiers apart from Joseph and his eight other men. Joseph’s soldiers would
search the city searching for the general who would be executed. Niall was the
general in that city though! What would happen to Niall?
The
attack was planned for Friday the Thirteenth 1864.Everything was ready.
BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!!!! The first shots were fired and the attack was underway.
The men rushed through New Orleans as fast as greased lightening. The people
had no chance at all, they were taken by surprise. The men rushed through New
Orleans as fast as greased lightning.The people had no chance at all, they were
taken by suprise.The southerners needed more men. They sent boys to get help
from the far side of the city. When help was called
Joseph
and his comrades attacked.
The
soldiers searched and searched but could not find the leader,Niall Harte. There
were about twenty or more houses to be checked when Joseph spotted a mysterious
figure running from a hedge into a house. Joseph ran quickly racing after the
mysterious person. Joseph sneaked into the house and searched the rooms. He was
just about to leave when he caught sight of a piece of fabric sticking out from
behind the fireplace. To his astonishment he could see a gap from the fireplace
to the wall. When Joseph inspected the fireplace he figured that there must be
a secret room behind the fireplace. When he nudged the fireplace it moved aside
! He stepped into the bizarre hidey-hole and looked around. Joseph could see a
candle, a prayer book and a man ! Somehow the man’s face looked familiar. The
face reminded him of one of his friends from Ireland all those years ago. Yes !
Now he knew.It was Niall’s face,who was one of his friend’s from school back
home in Ireland. Joseph’s thoughts were soon interrupted though when a soldier
called ," Joseph, have you found anyone? " Joseph , please don’t call
them " pleaded Niall. Joseph looked down at Niall’s forlorn face and knew
what to do. He turned on his heel walked out of the house and called to the
soldiers ," Come on, let’s go, there’s no-one there."
The
war ended a year later. Joseph and Niall both survived.The northerners won and
slavery was abolished. Both Niall and Joseph went their separate ways but never
forgot each other
John
Santa
Winter comes Winter goes
But at
the minute
It is
at a stop.
Soon
the ground
Will
be like a carpet of white
The
trees are bare
With
their branches in the air
You
would think
They
were giving themselves up.
Christmas
Day is my favourite day
Because
it is my birthday
As
well.
MICHEAL
+++++++++++++++
Seasons
change
Autumn
is gone
Winter
is here
And
the water flows over the pier
And we
know for sure winter is here
The
weather is bold
And
the snow is so cold
I like
to think of my presents at night
And in
the morning I get a big fright.
Andrew.
Snow
The winter time is coming .
and the children are getting excited.
Throwing snow balls all day.
all the animals settling down for the winter .
the cat beside the crackling fire .
the dog rolling round in the snow.
as happy as could be.
the children going down the hill
in their new sleighs.
claire
The Big Match
It was a week before the big match and
everybody was in a panic to get tickets. Finally we got our 7 tickets for
mammy, daddy , Darragh ,Philip , Danelle , Lisa and I . There was a big rush on
. O by the was Cavan and Kerry who were playing . The day before the match come
I was up in my neighbour’s house. They were going too . When I come home my
father and my brother was there . then the phone rang . It was my mother. The
car had stopped , just out side Loreto. My father my brother and I went in to
meet them . My brother Darragh put petrol in our diesel car. Just before we
came Jackie Conlon stopped and pulled the car to Finnegan’s shop. We had to
clear out The tank.The next morning we had to get up for half eight mass . Nearly
everybody had something on them about Cavan . Well anyway back to the match .
We left at 9.00.There was blue and white everywhere.We got there at 1.30.We
were in The Hogan Stand.We had to go round and around until we got to the
top.When we got to the 2nd floor there
was a man afraid of heights we were 20 minutes there before the Tyrone team
came out.The roars of the people would set you on fire. There was red and white
every where . Then Laois come out in blue and white colours.They looked as
proud as punch as they raced out on to the field like an army determined to
win.So they did.They won.And then a few men came out and started to stand on
the grass and then around twenty minutes later,the best team in the world came
out-of course Cavan.Blue and white everywhere our seven flags went up like a
shot.The roars would electrify you.Then the Kerry team came out just as
proud.Then the Kerry flags shot up just as quickly.Then the National
Anthem.Near the end of the song everybody roared their heads off .A few minutes
later the referee blew his whistle.Then Dermot Mc Cabe gets the ball and the
Kerry man gets a point and a few more scores came up and the half time comes
and Kerry were winning by a point.Then Cavan scored two points.Oh no! Kerry got
a goal.There was a point in it.Then Kerry got a few more points.It was five
minutes till full time.Then Cavan scored then Kerry got another point.It was
getting closer to full time as people to get up and leave.The Kerry people
started to get ready to run onto the field.Then the final whistle blew.We will
get there some day.
Caroline
Winter is here
The leafless trees/the snowy path.
Hedgehog hibernate from the cold .
People out making snowmen.Children are
shouting babies are crying.
People have the fire on to keep them warm.
The children are having snowball fights.
Others are out sleighing.
The squirrels are out gathering nuts for
the winter.
Darren
Winter Mornings
One cool winter
morning I was running
through the ield
chrunch crackle under my feet
Is the white white sheet of frost
Red, brown and yellow
Are the leaves on God praising
trees
Soon it will be Christmas then
snow will start
to fall
And the trees will start
to cuddle in a ball.
Oonagh
Winter Poem
Winter is a cold time
The nights are getting short and
Dark.
When the snow falls lawns and
fields are white for miles
All the trees are leafless
some of the animals
hibernate
I like winter
Eoin
Winter returns
Here
comes winter once again.
Birds
migrating here and there.
Leafless
tree swaying hither and tither.
Ice on
the roads,
snow
in the gardens
Animals
hibernating.
Leaves
are crunching.
Short
days long nights.
Paula
Winter time
When
winter comes nothing grows.
Sometimes
it even snows.
On
Christmas day Santa calls.
Bringing
gifts for one and all.
When
Winters over spring arrives
And
everything comes alive.
Evan
Winter
Winter
is so
mean
kills
all the
flowers.
Takes
away
all the
Hedgehogs
and
Squirrels.And
no
leaves to
been
seen.
Caitriona
Winter
Winter is clear as ice.
leaflees trees wave their branches.
As the wind is whistling out.
All are in at a warm fire,
But not for long.
Snowflakes falling from the sky.
Niall