Culleens NS is 170 years old this year
Historical Photos coming soon...
1st Culleens NS - 01/04/1854
The Stanley letter of Education passed in the British Parliament in 1831 allowed for the development of the Primary School System in Ireland. Culleens National School founded 01/04/1854 was one of the earliest schools established.
The applicant for the school was Rev. John Gilvarry. In the first instance Anne Barrett was appointed but declined the position. The teacher then appointed was Margaret Fletcher age 18. She had previously taught in the “Polythomas” district for 5 months. The salary was £10. According to official records the first salary was granted on 01/04/1854. The school was designated female on the reference card (this refers to the employment solely of female teachers rather than any restriction on who could attend).
According to an inspection report dated 11/04/1854 the school was one room 24.5 X 13 X 7 feet. It was reported as well ventilated, built of stone with lime and mortar and a thatched roof. The average attendance was 40. The school was open for 6 days, school hours were 10- 3 Monday to Friday, 10- 2 on Saturday. Religious Instruction was from 2.30- 3.00. School books were such as the children could procure. The furniture consisted of 2 double desks, 6 forms 12 feet long, 2 forms 12 feet long and others 8 feet each. The teacher’s “literary acquirements” were reported as “middling” but likely to improve. Some pupils made payments of 1 penny per week, some half penny per week and 6 were allowed to attend for free. The report stated National school books are much needed and eagerly desired. On the day of the report 18 males and 18 females were present. The inspector recommended full recognition for the school if the other clergy had no objection, as the house for temporary use was deemed “fit and fairly furnished” and the teacher “tolerably competent”. The pupils were described as “almost all of the poorer class”. There was an expectation that the school would soon be full. The school house thus described was situated in the townland of Knockduff. The new school building opening in 2024 is also situated in the townland of Knockduff.
From its foundation up to 15/08/1863 twenty inspections were carried out with colourful and interesting reports. 11 reports stated the school was progressing, 7 said it was stationary and 2 said it was static! Terms such as “ teacher ignorant of the course”, fines for “falsification of accounts” were threatened also threats of dismissal.
Mary Loftus was appointed junior monitor 13/03/1857 and that same year the manager was told to build a chimney. In July 1860 there is mention of Catherine Gallagher being admonished for “misskilful” manner of conducting school.
In 1861 the head inspector Hunter complains that monitor Eliza Patterson was dismissed because she was a protestant. Following her dismissal she emigrated to America to teach. On her retirement she returned to Culleens and is buried in Leigue Cemetary.
In 1862 the school was “on report” for low proficiency. Catherine Guerin was admonished for not calling the rolls.
In 1863 the teacher was severely reprimanded for interfering with the inspector while he was examining the classes. In 1863 the manager was urged to get more pupils. In Nov 1865 the teacher was severely reprimanded for closing the school for vacation at a time different to that specified in the timetable.
In 1876 the teacher was U. O’ Dowd. In 1879 a change from female to male (again I think this refers to the teacher, not the pupils) status was sanctioned.
2nd Culleens NS - 1883
In 1880 a new building was recommended by the department. A male teacher John Gallagher was appointed. He taught in the school until 1900.
In 1883 a change of schoolhouse was sanctioned. The school moved to a two-room thatched building on Rogan’s land, to accommodate the extra teacher.
3rd Culleens NS - Circa 1902
Circa 1902 the stone school house on the left hand side of the road as you face towards Killala, opposite O’ Dea’s house, now the site of an oil depot was opened. This was a purpose built two roomed school withoutside dry toilets typical of the school houses built around the country at that time. When this building was being demolished in the 1980s thestone name plate of the school was saved and was later inserted into thefront wall of the old Culleens school (1986 – 2024). The inscription is in old script and readsas follows “Do Chum Glóire Dé agus Onora na heireann Scoil BhríghdeCoillíní Scoil Náisiúnta”. This is now transferred to the new building.In 1897 Ellen Campbell was appointed workmistress.
Michael Molloy, who previously taught in the boys school in Ballina, was appointed as school master in 1900 and remained there until 1924. Hemarried Margaret Harrison D.O.B. 08/05/1888, who was appointed as monitor 01/07/1904. There was some controversy in 1903 between Rev.J. Naughton and a Martin Flanagan but the Department did not take action. No other details available.
Between 1913 and 1917 three managers were appointed and resigned due to being moved to different parishes Fr. Cowley, Fr. Greally and Fr.Quinn.
Matt Brady became the “master” in 1924 and held that position for 43years until his retirement in 1967. A native of Screen, Co. Sligo he wasrenowned for his interest in music and the Culleens pipe band, withwhom he travelled the length and breadth of the country. Packing largenumbers of children into his car was a regular occurrence. “By Jove” wasa much favoured expression of his. Mrs Kilgallon taught the youngerclasses and was succeeded by Catherine Keavney. She taught in the school for a number of years with Matt Brady. She was renowned for herinnovative ways of teaching and unlike the teachers who taught in theearly years of the school, was highly esteemed and praised by schoolinspectors. She succeeded Matt Brady as principal in 1967 until heruntimely death in 1972. In 1972 there were 48 children in the school.In the early 1960’s there was much rumour of amalgamation of smallerschools around the country. Culleens was no exception. Attempts weremade to close Culleens school. The stone school house with dry toiletswas condemned as no longer suitable. The parents of the children in theschool at that time got together and bought a site on the opposite side ofthe road and the prefabricated school was built.
4th Culleens NS – 1967 – 1984: Prefabricated School
the prefabricated school was opened in 1967and was in use until 1984, at which point there were 103 children attending the school.John Cummins became principal in 1972. John, a native of Dublin, was principal for 30 years. John, much loved, a great musician and educationalist had a great rapport with children, parents and teachers alike. John married Noeline Murphy in 1972 and she succeeded MarySheehan as the assistant teacher in Culleens that same year. Clair O’Connell from Clare became the second assistant in the growing school in December 1978.
Plans began to build a new school for the growing population of the area.In the years following there were on going unsuccessful and bunglednegotiations to acquire a site to build a permanent school building. Theparents held protests outside the school because of the infestation of theschool with rats. Holes in the timber prefabricated school building would regularly be filled with concrete on a Friday evening and new holeswould be eaten out by the rats by Monday morning. The roof retainedwater and began to sag dangerously. Struts were constructed down themiddle of the classrooms to hold up the roof. The situation becamecritical in January 1984 when the prefabricated school was irreparablystorm damaged and deemed unsafe. The parents withdrew their childrenfrom the school and a deputation to meet the Minister for Education wasorganised.
5th Culleens NS – 1984 – 1986: Killala NS
Following negotations with Minister Gemma Hussey the entire schoolpopulation of over 100 children and 3 teachers was to be bussed daily tothe old school in Killala. This began in January 1984 and continued untilJune 1986. Despite the inconvenience and the addition of 2 hours to theschool day for all concerned the old school in Killala was warm and dryand had much better sanitation. We got a concession for the immediateappointment- instead of waiting two quarters - of a fourth teacher. MaryMelvin, a past pupil of the school was appointed. Culleens settled intoKillala and remained there for the following 2 and a half years until thethen new school was completed. The teachers were obliged to supervisethe children on the bus but had no entitlement to a seat, nor were theyentitled to any additional remuneration for the additional time and duties over the two and a half years the school was housed in the old schoolbuilding in Killala.
Finally, now that the Diocesan authorities, of that time, had no excuse tojustify further delays, a small site was purchased and building got underway on the school. The build was not without its difficulties. 70,000pounds in concrete had to be poured into the front left side of the schoolto secure foundations in the boggy site. It was with much delight and celebration that the new 4 classroom schoolwas opened.
6th Culleens NS – 1986 – 8th April 2024 – Old Culleens NS Eircode – F26 TF97
The building was modern and state of the art. A schoolsecretary Joan Ruane joined the staff. At that time no one could foreseethe developments that were to take place in Carrowkelly and on theKillala Rd. Gradually the numbers grew and Bertha Munnelly, a native ofKilfian, joined the staff in 1987.The Culleens Ladies Club was formed and met weekly in the new schoolfor many years. The ladies fund raised for the school and were awonderful support group for each other.In 2001 Deirdre O’ Loughlin Quinn, from Athlone, was appointed toCulleens.In January 2002 Noeline Cummins became principal on John Cummin’sretirement and Martha Hegarty from Cooneal joined the staff. In 2003 Emma Hallinan from Castleconnor was appointed.
In 2004three teachers were appointed, Mary Caulfield from Donegal, JimmyByrne from Bohola and Elizabeth Conlon from Meelick.In 2005 Laura Murtagh of Swinford was appointed, followed by MichaelDuffy from Ballina in 2006.
Noeline Cummins retired in January 2007 and was replaced as principal by Clair (O’Connell) Cooke. Shakira Kelly from Ballina was appointed that same year.
In 2008 Elizabeth Conlon changed career and was replaced by Trína Gardener from Kilfian. Angela Judge of Bofield, Kevin Loftus of Knockmore and Bernie O’ Malley of Ballinrobe all joined the Culleens staff in 2008. Thus bringing the teaching staff to 14. To accommodate the additional classrooms a village of prefabricated classrooms sprung up around the 4 classroom school.
By then the ancilliary staff were Mary Gill from Lacken, secretary and Breege Ruane, caretaker. Two Special Needs Assistants Lenore Ryder and Anne Marie Cassidy had joined the staff over the years. Other teachers had filled in on a temporary basis for teachers out due to career breaks, maternity, sick leave etc. among them Pauline Rowley (Ballina), Yvonne Lavelle (past Pupil) Marie Leonard ( past pupil), Ailbhe Rowley and Julie Lawlor (Wexford).
The student population grew from 103 in 1989 to 246 in 2007. Once again Culleens has reached a crisis and was in need of a new building. The Department of Education and Science sanctioned an extension of 8 classrooms, SET rooms and a PE hall in May 2007. Once again the old problem of a suitable site to expand raised its head. The Department would not allow building to commence on the existing 2.25 acre site until we acquired sufficient land to accommodate the building, play area, bus turn around and car parking. From May 2007 to 2010 the Parish authorities and school management tried and failed to acquire additional land to add to the existing site.
In 2010, five acres of land on the western side of the Killala Rd. became available to accommodate the school. The department deemed the site suitable and the Parish authorities bought the land from John Lydon. John Lydon had built the adjacent Oaklawn Housing Estate. Before the sale was completed, planning permission for 21 detached houses was secured for him on the remaining 7 acres west of the school site. Des Mahon, the then Co Manager, was supportive of our need to acquire a site for the school. John Lydon never got to build these houses and the Anthony Golden Community Park Trust, which was established following the untimely death of past pupil Garda Anthony Golden, bought this 7 acres from the bank when it came onto the market. This land is to be developed as the home ground of Kilmoremoy Ladies Gaelic Football Club as well as a Community & School facility.
During the following years the school continued to grow and Tommy Mullarkey replaced Kevin Loftus for a few years. Bertha Munnelly and
Mary Caulfield retired. Brian Lawlor, a Kerry man came to Culleens from Scoil Padraic. Megan Cooke, daughter of Clair Cooke joined the staff, followed by Marie Leonard, Eva O’ Neill, Maria Connolly, Morgan Foley and Sheena Cronin. Kenneth Keane, former Principal Teacher of Culleens NS Co. Sligo came to Culleens in 2022 when his school closed.
Teachers on temporary contracts in 2024 working in the school are Shauna Smith, Laura Murtagh, James Daughton, Rebecca Naylor, Marie Gardiner.
.In 2019 Culleens first ASD class was opened. This was a major positive addition to the school and a second unit was opened in September 2023.
Culleens National School has long since been a centre of educational excellence, constantly keeping pace with new trends in education. The first computer was introduced by John Cummins c. 1989/90. The whole staff did a summer course for a week in the school. Computers were then so complicated we felt like we needed a degree in computer language to turn one on. But from small seeds Oak trees grow. In 2007 teaching laptops were provided to all the teachers and in 2008/09 interactive whiteboards were installed in each classroom. Which led to the school being one of the earliest schools in the country to become a Digital School of Distinction. This effort was largely driven by Emma Hallinan, supported by school management and the Parents Association who fund raised to allow this to happen, before the Department of Education provided schools with IT grants.
The school received the Discover Primary Science & Maths Award of Excellence each year since its inception in 2003. In 2004 Clair Cooke’s class won a trip to the W5- the Interactive Science & Discovery Centre in Belfast. In 2023 the Discover Primary Science & Maths award was renamed the Curious Minds Award. Mary Melvin and Jimmy Byrne lead the Curious Minds team.
Creativity and the Arts has always been fostered in Culleens. John Cummins introduced the first video camera in 1986. There is an invaluable archive of all sorts of footage from so many events, school plays and concerts to football matches, snow ball fights to herding goats, and lots besides which is now digitised (2023).
Going back to Matt Brady’s time, through John Cummins’ and Noeline Cummins’ time right through to the present day music & Singing plays a huge part in our school. Currently we engage with Music Generation Mayo to learn Ukulele and all children from 1st class on learn the tin whistle. In recent years Assembly- themed each month - has been a highlight as each class performed for the rest of the school.
Culleens is named for St. Brigid and each year on 1st February the tradition of making St. Bridgid’s crosses is maintained. The older children pass on the art of cross making to the younger children. Every child goes home with a cross that is blessed, and according to tradition this cross will keep their home safe for the year ahead.
Culleens achieved its first Green Flag in 2007 and by 2023/24 was working on its 10th Green Flag on Global Citizenship and Travel. Deirdre O Loughlin and her many Green Schools committees lead this endeavour. Through the Green Flag programme we plan to build a Choill Beag at the front of the new school site.
School teams participate in Cumman na mBunscol in both Gaelic and Hurling and have achieved many local and county successes over the years. Our Past Pupils have featured prominently for Ballina Stephenites in all the club’s successful teams. The teachers are committed to coaching the pupils in gaelic football, hurling, basketball and soccer skills.
Our Mission in Culleens NS is to give our pupils a sense of Security, a sense of Identity, a sense of Belonging, a sense of Competence and a sense of Purpose and to foster ambition, tempered by goodness, kindness and honesty. We believe in providing a holistic education for our pupils which develops self confidence and a “Can Do” attitude. Our past pupils have achieved success on all stages and in all walks of life locally, nationally and internationally. We are so proud of each and everyone and long may this continue into the future.
Culleens has a very active Parents Association. It is thanks to the work of the Parent’s Association that the school enjoyed modern computers, iPads and equipment far ahead of other schools. Many past pupils are valuable members our Parents Association.
7th Culleens NS - New School: 9th April 2024 – Present F26 FPA9
Scoil Naomh Bríd, Culleens has a bright future. The new school building located back in the townland where the very first one room school opened on 1st April 1854 and the new 12 classroom school opened on 9th April 2024. Clair Cooke Principal, retired on 7th March after over 45 years in Culleens on 8th of March 2024 and was replaced by Sinead Caffrey.
The current teaching staff is as follows: Sinead Caffery Principal, Mary Melvin Deputy Principal, Deirdre O Loughlin AP2, Martha Mc Hale AP2, Emma Hallinan AP2, Jimmy Byrne, Michael Duffy, Shakira Kelly, Trina Flynn, Angela Judge, Brian Lawlor, Megan Cooke, Marie Leonard, Eva O’ Neill, Maria Connolly, Morgan Foley, Sheena Cronin, Kenneth Keane AP1 (currently being replaced by James Daughton), Laura Murtagh and Marie Gardiner.
SNA Staff: Denise Gilmartin, Elaine Tighe, Ann Munnelly (Currently being replaced by Antoinette Furey), Alison O’ Hora, Geraldine Golden, Claire Gallagher, Sophie Goldrick, Jennifer Flemming and Rachel Fahy.
Secretary: Pauline Campbell. Caretaker: Breege Ruane.
Written by Clair Cooke (Former Teacher and Principal 1978 - 2024)
History Of Culleens NS.pdf
Synopsis of the History of Culleens NS
Dúchas-National Folklore Collection
Culleens NS was one of the schools who participated in this project in 1937. You can read several accounts of folklore from the Culleens area on https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4428048?Route=schools