On a warm day, with the radiant sun on our side the extensive community of St Mary’s Parochial School assembled together to commemorate and celebrate the phenomenal existence of our iconic building, its history, its contribution to Clonmel and the countless people that have crossed its threshold.
On entering the splendid grounds it was evident that the children accompanied by the staff had been working diligently and collectively for some weeks now, painting, planting, pruning, reviving the old and refreshing the new. The place was animated with colour and sunshine. The magnificent traditional music being played by John Dennehy and Rory Cunningham boosted everyone’s spirits and ensured the congregation were all lifted onto a higher plane. It truly was a pleasure for any spectator or passer- by.
Rosemary Wallace, the School Principal opened the commemoration with endearing words of welcome to all who were fortunate to attend this unique event. Siobhán Ambrose, Deputy Mayor spoke eloquently about the significance and beauty of the building, and was extremely impressed by its ongoing refurbishment. Roger Kennedy, the Chairman of Tipperary County Council elaborated on the anniversary of Irish Flag. He spoke of and noted the modern day inclusivity of all nationalities and religions in our broad school community. Roger praised the wider, diverse school community for coming together and putting on such a fine display. There were programmes there to walk you throughout the afternoon’s schedule, and also to give you a glimpse into a typical day in the life of children and teachers that attended this school. We would like to thank The Premier Newspaper for sponsoring these.
The Children of the School performed a drama of the Potato Famine, narrated by Ms. Hogan. Our Drama teacher Tara Power, along with the children performed a production of a ‘Public Examination of all Pupils’, which chronicled the history of the school’s 175 years. We were treated to the children playing their recorder and ukulele, accompanied with their music teacher Maggie. Pupils recited poems and sang sweet songs as further entertainment.
Rosemary Wallace hosted a question and answer session which walked the audience through the preceding 175 years. There were large display boards with old artefacts, articles and pictures chronicling the 175 years. These displayed famous past pupils such as a previous headmaster Mr Carey, whose family had built Carey’s Castle, Andy O’ Mahony, Frank Rothwell, Seán Treacy, C.J Boland and Margaret Ann Carroll ( Mother Austin Carroll). The Parochial School moved from Mary Street in 1930 to The Model Building. Past pupils and teachers recounted their fond memories of this event. The Christian Brothers used rooms in the Model School from 1933- 1963 while the present St. Mary’s in Irishtown was being built. There was a lively discussion had between past pupils Niall Dennehy, Brian O’ Donnell, Shay Hurley and others about their memories and experiences. Our Chairman, Bernard planted a tree to commemorate the day.
Inside this fine building there was a showing of ‘The Scarlet Horseman’, a movie that would have been shown when the CBS were in school here at that time, to raise money for the new St. Mary’s building in Irishtown. There was an old projector on exhibition, one that would have been used at that time, kindly loaned to us by the museum. Jayne Sutcliffe a past pupil spoke about its use. A museum was laid out in one classroom, one half was set up as an old classroom, with old desks, abacus, books, chalk boards, inkwells, slates, roll books and the other half displayed the modernity of the current education system.
People were flabbergasted with the beauty and simplicity of the recently refurbished NEPS building and the old Driving Test Centre.
There was an extensive variety of refreshments available inside to feast upon after that long walk down memory lane. Thank you to all who assisted in serving, clearing ups, selling raffle tickets, organising prior to the event and on the day of the event and especially to Niall Dennehy, who was boundless in passion and energy for the project, instrumental in advertising, and committed to this being a great day for all, both young and old!
The level of interest in the history of The Model School’s 175 years has prompted us to create a series of past pupils’ stories, that will be launched in June at our Garden Party, the date is to be confirmed. We are inviting any more people with stories or memories that they would like included in this to make contact with us on office@stmarysparochialschool.com, 086- 7038121 or to come in and visit us in person. Our photo display is currently on display in our school if anybody would like a viewing.
