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New National School in Monamolin which cost £15,000 * * * * * Was opened and blessed by Very Reverend Fr.Thomas Bookey,P.P.,Litter. The headline was taken from the front page of "The Echo and South Leinster Advertiser" published on Saturday September 21st 1968. The weekly newspaper was published in Enniscorthy and featured" 16 pages for 8d.(including tax)." 8d meant 8 pennies, which is roughly just over 3p for the paper. The following excerpts taken from the article printed in 1968: "Last Monday, in Litter Parish, a new school was opened to replace a building that had been in existence for one hundred years. During the simple but impressive ceremony, the keys of the new school were officially handed over to Very Rev.Fr.Bookey by the main building contractor, Mr.James Ferguson, Ballymitty. To mark the occasion, Fr. John Doyle C.C., Monamolin , the school manger, celebrated Mass in new school . After Mass the new school was blessed and then opened by Very Rev. Fr. Bookey, assisted by Fr.Doyle and Mr. Seamus Kavanagh, N.T., Principal. The new school built at a cost of £15,000, took 6 months to complete and is built the most up to date and modern lines. It can accommodate up to one hundred pupils and is one of the finest schools, with excellent facilities, including oil fired central heating, for pupils and teachers alike."
Mrs.Mary McDonald, Mr.Seamas Kavanagh and Mrs. Siobhán Doyle. Situated on 2 acres and only a short distance from the village, much praise was given to the local committee who had to raise 1/7 of the overall cost. Chairman of the New School Committee was Mr. T.Donohoe, Honorary Treasurer was Mr. P. Kavanagh while Mr. Seamas Kavanagh, N.T., served as Honorary Secretary. Mr. Liam Isdell, Inspector, Department of Education, complimented everybody on a magnificent job. He said, "Learning and education should be pleasurable experiences. "Though some of the older people in attendance might not have had the most enjoyable memories of their school days, He hoped that all pupils in the new school would "have great memories of their time in this school." It was noted during the speeches that the old school had been built in times of evictions and emigration. "The land for the old Court N.S. has been donated to the parish by Mr. Michael Murphy on the very day that he, himself, was evicted from his lands. He was the father of Michael Murphy ,Court, Monamolin". After the opening ceremony Mr. T. Donohoe presided over lunch in Cahore Castle for clergy, teachers, Mr. Isdell, committee members and other guests. |
