Table of Contemts Introduction Introduction................................1 1973.........................................38 In 1987 37 The school year 2012 marks sixty years A Message from the Principal........2 Geraldine Flaherty (nee Boyle) Feigh troduction 1 My Teacher 1980 38 of Cahergal National School. It was ASixty Message Years from Of Cahergalthe Principal National 2 SchoolClass 1965-1973........................41Tours and Dreams By Bríd Con- brought to the Parents Association at- 60School........................................4 Of Cahergal National School. 3 nollySchool Days39 by Dom Dunleavy, Bar- tention a year ago by Principal Sally The TeachersTeachers Residence Residence................6 4 Schoolbersfort. Days Class By Declan 1948-1956 Jennings ..........43 41 Flynn. Many discussions were held over the year and it was decided as part of SchoolThe School Crest Crest,5 by Aoife McGrath SandraSchool McGrath,Days by FeighJarlath North Farrell, 1992 Tog-44 Class 1989-1997..........................7 her. Class 1957-1965................44 the celebrations to produce this book. Past Teachers 7 Leaving….with a clean sheet 1993 45 I then undertook the task to ask the lo- A message from Mrs Mary Fallon School days by John Keane Caher- Current Teaching Staff 8 Majella McNamee, Togher 46 cal community for their memories of CahergalTeacher Memories1970-1989..... by Carmel.................8 Niland gal . Class 1970-1978.................47 Cahergal School and compiled them into Past Teachers.............................109 SchoolA new beginning, Days by Maryby Joseph Gillooly Killilea, (nee Ca- Back: Fiona Moggan, Terry Nalty, this book. FrCurrent Kieran TeachingWaldron Staff.................1111 Reynolds),hergal 2000 Cloonlusk.48 Class 1970- Karen Berry, Karen McGovern, CahergalTeachers Retirements Memories by Carmel11 1978.........................................49 Front: Evelyn Renolds Carr, Sally I particularly like to thank all the con- Fiona Holian, Ballina 2003 49 Niland,The Coen N.T Family and 1952 Principal to present, 1977 Garra– School Days By Paul Mannion, Ar- Flynn & Valerie Jennings. tributors for their articles, photos and memories. Especially those, who let me 2006.........................................12by Hannah Coen 14 dawarry. Class 1972-1980...........50 Andrew Hughes, Cahergal 50 into their homes to share their reminiscences, without them this book FrCahergal Kieran National Waldron, School Kllererin Pupils ParishRegister My School Days, By Padraic Flesk, would have not been made possible. I also wish to thank my colleges in the Cahergal N.S. Gaelic Football By James Priest,and Roll 1993-2011.......................15 Books. 15 Feigh . Class 1987-1995.............54 Parents Association Anniversary Celebration Committee, Karen Berry, TeachersThe Classes Retirements.......... of 1952 15 .......17 SchoolMannion Tours 51 and Dreams By Bríd Chairperson; Karen McGovern, Treasurer; Evelyn Carr, Terry Nalty and 85Picture Years of Garraof the school Coen 16 Family in Connolly, Clogherboy. Class 1987- Fiona Moggan for all the background work in making this publication possi- Cahergal N.S. Cumann na mBunscoil Garra/CahergalMap of Area 17N.S., by Hannah 1995.........................................56 ble. To Mrs Sally Flynn; Principal, Mrs Carmel Hughes, Secretary and all 53 Coen.........................................18School Days by Mary Burke, (nee Burke) School Days By Declan Jennings, the teaching staff for their patience in answering my various requests for Garra. 18 information and class photos. Cahergal National School Pupils Reg- AchievementsClass 1987-1995........................58 54 My School Days by Peter Monaghan, ister and Roll Books....................19 School Days by Sandra McGrath, Valerie Jennings: Secretary of Cahergal N.S. Parents Association TheGarra. Cl asses21 of 1952 .................. 19 FeighSchool North.Memories Class 65 1992-2000......60 School Days By Maura Hegerty (nee Cahergal National School Pupils Reg- School Days by Majella McNamee, Burke Garra?) 23 2012 My School days 71 ister and Roll Books................... Togher. Class 1994-2002.............62 School Day’s by Dom Dunleavy, Barbers- Map Of School Catchment............24 A new beginning, by Joseph Killilea, fort. 24 Reminiscing on Cahergal N.S. By Cahergal. Class 2000-2004..........63 Living with Teacher by Gerry Connolly Paddy Hession , Class 1948- School Register Days by 1952 Fiona to 2012Holian, 72 Ballina. and family, 1960’s 25 1956.........................................26 Class 2003-2011........................64 School Days by Barbara Reilly, Clogher- Classes of 2012 73 School Days by Mary Burke, (nee The Hughes Family from 1994 to boy 1965 27 Acknowledgments & Thanks 77 GeraldineBurke) Garra. Flaherty Class (nee 1948-1956....28 Boyle) Feigh 2011.........................................65 1965My School 27 Days by Peter Monaghan, Cahergal N.S. Gaelic Football By JarlathGarra. FarrellClass 19571950-1958...............32 28 James Mannion. Class 1995- School days Days by By John Maura Keane Hegerty Cahergal (nee 2002.........................................66 1970Burke) Coolreagh.29 Class 1946- Achievements & Memories!..........67 School1954.........................................34 Days by Mary Gillooly (nee Rey- Acknowledgements and Thanks..77 nolds),Living withCloonlusk Teacher 32 by Gerry Con- Sixth Class School Memories Class of Schoolnolly and Days family, By Paul 1960’s...............35 Mannion 2004-2012.................................80 (Ardawarry).School Days by 33Barbara Carroll (nee School Register 1952-2012..........88 LillianReilly), McCabe Clogherboy Quinn, ClassBallina 1965- 1982 35 My School Days, By Padraic Flesk, Feigh 2 A Message from the Principal Sixty Years Of Cahergal National School. As we celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the opening of Ca- Cahergal National School was opened in 1952. This hergal N.S., it is a great privilege to be Principal at this time. new school replaced Garra National School and the It is an honour to work hand in hand with a committed team new site was chosen as it was in a favourable posi- of teachers and support staff who work tirelessly to provide tion for the families in the district. Work started on excellence in the education of our students. All we strive to the planning applications for the new school in 1951. achieve is carried out under the guidance of a Catholic ethos and the man- Tender notices were submitted to the Tuam Herald agement of our Board, led by our present Chairperson, Ronan Stephens. on 25th August 1951 and in the Irish Press on 22ng August 1951. The The school acknowledges that parents/guardians are the primary educators specification and conditions of contract were exhibited at the residence of - the staff work in co-operation with the student and the home to help each Very Rev. P. Curran, parish priest of Killererin. Applications of the draw- individual pupil reach his/her potential. The loyal and appreciative parents ings and specifications also could be obtained from the Office of Public of Cahergal N.S. truly believe that we are doing everything in our power to works with a deposit of £1.00, which was refunded on the return of those guarantee a rich and top class education for their children. documents. The closing date was 20th September 1951. We celebrate the many years of providing education in the area. We con- The tender seemed to be awarded quickly as the next report about the tinue to achieve high standards despite the fact that we are fifteen years school appeared in the Tuam Herald on 9th August 1952 in the North Gal- seeking a new building. It is not the building that makes a good school way Jottings. It reported “The New School at Cahergal, Tuam, to replace however, but rather the people who are associated with it. the old Garra National School, Ballyglunin, is now almost complete and is a splendid structure fitted in a modern style. There seems to be a promising On a personal note, I look forward to meeting past pupils and friends of future for this school as the district is well populated and with some addi- Cahergal at our celebrations. I hope you all enjoy meeting and reminiscing tional new houses should be able to keep the same complement of teaching about school days. Cahergal holds a special place in my heart. My first few staff as Garra N.S. Mr James Conroy was the Principal Teacher”. weeks as a qualified teacher were spent in Cahergal, while I worked as a substitute teacher. Eleven years later I returned as a mainstream class Mr & Mrs Conroy were the last teachers in Garra N.S. and they were the teacher and became principal in 2006. I strive to do justice to the work car- first teachers in Cahergal in 1952. Miss Curran was the third teacher in ried out by my predecessors, Jim Conroy, Donnie Mullins, Gerry King and Cahergal in those early years. Carmel Niland. The new school was finally opened in late 1952 and in November 1953 the I thank the Parents Association for all their hard work with this project. Two Very Rev. P. Canon Curran, P.P., Killererin, celebrated Mass in the new years ago the seed was sown about an anniversary celebration. With the school. There was a large attendance of parents, parishioners, and local enthusiasm, energy and generosity of time and spirit of the Parents Asso- teachers. Rev. Fr. Moran, C.C. Killererin assisted Father Curran at the ciation, it has come to fruition. It is with pride I congratulate them on a job opening Ceremony. well done. Sixty years on, Cahergal is still a thriving