Balleen School
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Balleen School as it is today. This view is from across the Balleen River. In 1900 an inspector cited the presence of this river as one of the reasons why the manager did not need funds to erect toilets. |
New School
Balleen School was built in 1838. The managers of the school were Fr. John Fielding P.P., and Frank Coyne on whose land it was built. The school was 33 feet long and 16 feet wide. It was erected by local subscription.
The first teacher was John Fitzgerald, aged 19. The average daily attendance in 1840 was 80 boys and 40 girls. A Schools Superintendent wrote:
“Several individuals were anxious for even a temporary school – Whitegate being the permanent one.”
The school was recognized in 1840.
School Closed
In 1841 James Cushen was appointed teacher. In 1842 he resigned and the school closed. The following note explains that:
“Balleen N.S. was struck off from 1.6.1842 in consequence of the teacher not having been liked by the people. The house is so unfit as to render it totally unfit for the purposes of a permanent school.”
School Re-opened
In 1848 M. Cahill applied to have the school re-opened under new teacher Daniel Bergin. There were 7 desks and 10 forums to accommodate 70 children. Also a teacher’s desk and press. The teacher was highly thought of and experienced.
Money:
“Lord Mountgarret will allow a few pounds per annum plus school fees. Scholars pay 1 shilling to 4 shillings a quarter.”
“The population near school seem to be a comfortable class of farmer and are anxious to have this school in commission with the Board.”
Approval was granted and the school re-opened.
Daniel Bergin died in August 1854 and was replaced by Martin Shea. A report of June 16th 1862 states that:
“Cleanliness and discipline not properly maintained; school room to be boarded; roof repaired; walls roughcasted; and school room whitewashed.”
In 1875 under John Clarke replaced Martin Shea and he was replaced by James Kelly in 1885.
In 1880 Rev. Thomas Kelly, P.P., took over as manager from Capt. J.N. Cahill.
In 1898 Mary Renehan was teacher.
In 1900 it was reported that the:
“Inspector does not consider that the position and surroundings of this school make the provision of out-offices an urgent necessity.”
The context for this report was that the manager had applied for funding to erect toilets at the school. An inspector visited the school and concluded that, due to the fact that there were several trees and bushes around the school and that a small river flowed along the boundary of the school grounds, ther was no necessity to provide toilets!
Last Years
In 1919 Hannah O’Connor (later Mrs. Hannah Maher) was appointed Principal. Katie Dunne (later Mrs. Katie Holland) was appointed assistant teacher. These two teachers moved to the new school in Clontubrid in 1932 when it replaced Balleen School. Hannah Maher died in 1938 and was replaced by Tom Waldron.
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