We are 5th and 6th classes in Saint Attracta's National School. Charlestown Co. Mayo. Over the last number of weeks we have been learning about our local history. Below are some of the things we have learned.
| There was a school in Bellaghy area in the early years of the 19th century. The first school in Lowpark was built in 1845. It cost £247-19s-1 1/2 d the building had 2 rooms, one for boys and one for girls. Lowpark N.S. started in 1886. It had 6 rooms, 3 for boys and 3 for girls. These buildings stood on the site of Murphy's garage. In 1953 nuns took charge of the school for the first time. A new school was built in 1956…….Saint Attracta's National School. It had separate rooms for boys and girls. in october 1970 Saint Attracta's National School became a mixed school. In the late 1970s the school was extened and refurbished as we approach the millenium our school is 43 years old. |   click on photo for larger image |
| St. Attracta is supposed to have lived around the time of St.Patrick. Her father may have come from Ulster. In order to avoid marriage she left home with a maid and a manservant. She made her way to the area of Lough Gara. She set up a home in an island on Lough Gara. It is thought that St. Patrick himself put the veil on her head. She built a rest house for travellers and those in want. Our school and a local nursing home are called after St. Attracta. St. Nathy and St. Attracta are patron saints of the diocese of Achonry. |   click on photo for larger image |
| Mayo farmers had to wait to have their food weighed in Bellaghy. They complained. Charles Strickland promised to wipe out Bellaghy. Weekly markets started In Charlestown they had to move there weighing scales about because of legal trouble From 1884 the town got permission to hold markets and fairs. Wednesday was fair day. The fair green started about 1909 it's scales could weigh up to ten tons. Charlestown's monthly fair became the best in mayo. The railway helped / cattle were brought from all over the country. In the 1970's markets and fairs finally came to an end at the fair green. |  click on photo for larger image |
| In 1895 the first train left Charlestown. In 1963 the last train left Charlestown, to visit President Kennedy in Co. Galway. On the 31/10/1975 the last goods train left Sligo and passed through Charlestown. Tom Jones was the driver of the train; Mr Brodrick was the stationmaster in Charlestown. Micheal Fitzgerald and Micheal Walsh were the porters; Thomas Bob Carroll was the Carter. Why did they close the line? Other forms of transport were becoming popular – trucks – lorries and vans. People travelled more by car and buses. Trains became expensive to run. | 
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