St. Josephs Moneygall NS
History of our School
On 10th of July 1849 a letter was sent to the Commissioners of Education from Rev. John Egan, P.P., Dunkerrin requesting that the school in Moneygall be brought under the National School system.
The site for the building was procured, surrounded by a wall. Lease was obtained from Matthew Ryan, a labourer who lived in Liverpool, and John Hogan of Moneygall. The site was willed to them by the late Matthew Ryan who held it by lease for ever and they were granting it to the school trustees by lease at a nominal rent of one shilling per annum.
It was estimated the number of pupils would be 100 male and 60 female. About one third of the cost would be contributed locally in money and labour. In the application, Fr. Egan stated that education was needed in the parish, which has been, whether in Tipperary or King’s County, noted for outrage and crime of the worst character.
There were other schools in the neighbourhood but they were sectarian schools; one near Moneygall patronised by Mr. Minchin, and one in Loughton – both connected with the Church Education Society.
The application was granted. It would be a one roomed school – 34 feet by 18 feet. The teacher was James Feehan aged 34, educated at the Model School, Dublin, taught at Templetuohy but left there and started in Moneygall on Feb. 3rd 1851. The assistant was Thomas Carey. A young girl named Margaret Nolan, 17 years, was appointed as seamstress to teach needlework to the girls in the afternoons. On rolls were 98 male and 86 female but the average attendance was low in the early years.
The principal’s salary was £17 per annum. A grant of £74 – 3 – 4 was made by the Board of Education for the building of the school.
St. Josephs Moneygall NS
A History of our new School
The old school built in 1851 served its purpose for many years but by the 1920’s it was obvious that the one roomed building was not sufficient to cater for the local needs. Following much local fundraising a government school grant was acquired and a new school building on the present site was commenced. The new building was opened and blessed on Monday 11th March 1935. The Nenagh Guardian reported as follows:
“Prior to school hour, a procession was formed in the church grounds in which a large number of parishioners – the entire villagers and school children – joined and marched to the new schools. Appropriate hymns were sung by the children and church choir. Having arrived at the school grounds, the school and grounds were blessed by Rev Manager – Rev, A. J. Molony P.P., assisted by Father Cosgrave, C.C. Holy mass was then offered in the school, which was packed during the mass, the new schools being solemnly consecrated and dedicated to St. Joseph. The parishioners are to be congratulated in raising the local sum of £700 to qualify for the school building grant from the government. This school, which stands like a sentinel overlooking the old village of Moneygall, was built by Mr J. Fogarty, contractor, of Roscrea at a cost of over £2,000. The old school, which has now been vacated, was first opened on 3rd February 1851, by the then parish priest – then the Rev. John Egan.”
The building was one big room, divided by partitions into three classrooms. Outside dry toilets were situated about 50 yards further up the playground. There was a dividing wall from the school building to the toilets, girls at one side and boys at the other. Shortly after the school was opened, the Land Commission allotted one extra acre of ground to be used as a playground and hurling field. A shed (often referred to as ‘The Hut’) was erected in the front corner close to the church bounds.
It is important to note that there was no water or electricity supply to the school until the late 1960s. Pupils would be sent to collect a big bucket of water from the fountain which was located outside Collisons (Bergins) shop. The only means of heating the school was two open fire-places.
Water and electricity were connected in the late 1960s and in 1969 and toilets were erected at the front of the school by local builder Tom Tobin. In 1975, a major extension, comprising a classroom, P.E. room, extra toilets and a teacher’s room. A central heating system was also included. In 1982, another classroom and extension were also added. These two extensions were erected by John Joe Coughlan builder, Roscrea. In later years, further improvements included upgrading the heating system, insulating the attics, new windows, and improvements to the playground. In 2001, one of the classrooms was divided into two smaller rooms to accommodate special education.
List of past teachers from 1851
James Feehan, Thomas Carey, Margaret Nolan, Thomas Treacy, James Fitzgerald, Kate Toohey, Judith O’ Neill, Patrick McMahon, Mrs Kate O’Connell, Matthew Gleeson, Eileen Irwin, Andrew Cleary, Mrs Maureen Fanning, Mrs Eve Fleming, Patrick Maher, Mrs Mary Kenny, Mrs Kathleen Kennedy, Eugene Ryan, Mrs Lily Lennox, Ms Noreen Larkin, Mrs Pearl Whitford, Ms Andrea Hynes, Ms Simone Mitchell, Ms Máire Kirwan.
Special Needs Assistants: Mrs Anne Maher, Mrs Anne Larkin, Mrs Patricia Powell.