Text Box: ‘The teacher’s name is Thomas McGinley, age 19 years…..his literary requirement is good….his character is very good….his method of conducting school is orderly. He was 4 years monitor in Fintragh National School, under Mr. Gilgan. The average attendance reaches 30. The dimensions of the school are: 28 feet long, 14 feet broad, and 8 feet high. It consists of one room which is slated, built of stone and lime, and having a wooden floor. The classroom consists of 2 desks, and forms 8 feet each, 20 feet of temporary seats. The children on the roll at the last inspection, were 29 males, and 2 females, total 31; previous six months, 30 males, 4 females, total 34; if increase expected? – 40 males, 20 females, total 60. There are 67 families in this and the adjoining townlands who have no opportunity of learning the English language without this school.’ (National Archives - Meentinadea ED 1/25, no. 71 (2),). Master Thomas C. McGinley subsequently taught in Meenavalley N.S., Croagh N.S. and Niall Mor and Commons National Schools. In 1867, under the penname ‘Kinnfaela’, he published a book on the history and antiquity of south-west Donegal, entitled ‘Cliff Scenery of South-west Donegal’. His son, John B. ( 1871-1969) was a bishop in the Philippine Islands. Text Box: Master Thomas Colin Mc Ginley (photograph on left), a native of the Parish of Killybegs, taught in the Old Schoolhouse in Meentinadea. He is recorded in the Department of Education records, from a report by Mr. Wilson, agent for the Murray Stewart landlords, as teaching there on January 22nd 1851.. ‘The teacher’s name is Thomas McGinley, age 19 years…..his literary requirement is good….his character is very good….his method of conducting school is orderly. He was 4 years monitor in Fintragh National School, under Mr. Gilgan.