News
New School in
New Clontibret National School Opens its doors
On 18th February classes began in the new Clontibret N.S. at Aughnameal,
situated on the Ballybay Road from Clontibret village. The new building has
replaced
a school building which served the local parish community at Clontibret for
over 180 years! The school is under the Church of Ireland patronage of the
Bishop of Clogher and the Chairperson of the Board of Management is Canon Jonathan
Heyhoe. The present class teachers are Mrs Julie Crawford (Principal) and Mrs
Joy Gilmour.
Canon Jonathan Heyhoe told us that:
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There had been a school in Gallagh, Clontibret, since the 1700’s.
In the 1820’s the last building was erected in Gallagh. The school
cost £120 to build while other schools in the area cost only £2.
These were thatched one-roomed buildings while Clontibret N.S. had thick stone
walls and a slate roof.
The school was a two-storey school and the teacher lived downstairs.
In 1872 the school became a National School: 56 boys and 63 girls were attending
the school that year! 600 boys and 550 girls have attended the school since
1872.
For the past 27 years there have been more boys than girls in the school.
Since 1950 there has been an average of about 20 pupils in the school attending
the school every year.
In 1982 there were 30 pupils and in 1991 there were only 10 pupils.
Mrs Jean Garland taught in the school from 1958 to 1993. Ms. Olga Neill (now
Mrs McNulty) taught from 1993 to 2002. Mrs Helen Forster taught from 1998 to
2006. Mrs Julie Crawford was appointed Principal Teacher in 2003.
Former Principal Mrs Olga McNulty, former Acting Principal Mrs Helen Forster,
present Principal Mrs Julie Crawford, and former Principal Mrs Jean Garland
In 1998 the school became a two teacher school.
A special walk was held on Saturday 23rd February as a thanksgiving for over
180 years of education in the old school at Gallagh and to mark the beginning
of the new school at Aughnameal. This was attended by many past, present and
future pupils!
Pipers leading the School Walk
Arriving at the new school
Hard at work in the Senior Class Room
Senior Room
Junior Room
Juniors
The school website is at www.clontibretns.com
Date: 10 Mar 08