St. Finian's N.S.

Before St. Finian’s N.S. was built most of the children in the area went to Willistown School. It was on the Drumcar Road not far from where the present school is. Willistown School was originally thatched. In 1857 they added another storey to the building and the thatch was replaced with slates. There were two fireplaces in the school, one downstairs and one upstairs. There were four classrooms, two upstairs and two downstairs and two toilets.

It was a church as well as being a school. Mass continued to be said in the school until 1862 when Dillonstown church was built.

The families on the roll book were described as small farmers, sailors and fishermen. According to the roll book then there were about 156 pupils, 87 boys and 69 girls. The average attendance was 43 boys and 30 girls. Master Boylan was the principal then. His predecessor was Master Lyons.

Sweet Annagassan

Sweet Annagassan that neat little village
Where some live by fishing and others by tillage,
'Tis often I walked it and ramble all o'er,
To see the old salts as they came on the shore.

In this village, there is a large Mill, two Pubs,
A Post Office and a Lodge on the hill.
A row of small houses, well whitened with lime.
There's fun and good trade, that's surely no crime.

The men are good natured convivial and witty,
And there is no doubt, the girls are all pretty.
The children are plentiful, but then 'tis the rule
To wonder all day, far away from the school.

The scenes are imposing, delightful & grand.
Blackrock in its beauty appears close at hand.
The mountains of Mourne in grandure arise
And seem to the gazer, to meet with the skies.

Barmeath to the south with its green sloping hills.
It's beautiful meadows and murmuring rills.
The beauties of nature it seems to enjoy
As it laughs at Drumcar, across the plains of Finvoy.

There's Lisnarann Hill looking down on the Dee
With it's green coat of verdure, delightful to see.
Smiles down on the village, as if it would say
Be merry, be joyous, be happy all day.

And such are the scenes of these wonderful places
So now my dear, folk will come to the races
at Sweet Annagassan.

Composed by Master Kane & pupils of Willistown School in the mid 1880's.
Thanks to Emer McGrane who sourced it for us.

Willistown School is now a private residence and the family living there have children attending St. Finian’s N.S. today.

In 1955 Dillonstown’s new school opened. All of the pupils were transferred on the opening day when they marched from Willistown School to the new school where there was an open-air mass celebrated.

Mr. Seamus Boylan continued as the Principal until he retired in 1972. Then came Mr. Eugene Wynne who retired in 1981. His successor was Mr. Tom Higgins who retired in 1999. Then Mr. Robin Barnes spent almost three years as principal before the present principal, Mr. Brendan Roche, succeeded him. Other staff members are Mrs. Ann Quinn, Mrs. Mary Markey and Mr. Noel Muckian.

by the pupils of 5th & 6th classes

To be continued………..

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Scoil Naomh Fhionnáin, Baile an Diolúnaigh, Dún Léire, Co. Lú.