Shraigh School History

NEW SCHOOL AT SHRAIGH

By 1887 permission had been granted for the new school at Shraigh. Monsignor Hewson, P.P., acquired the site from Seån O Ciaragåin, grandfather of Larry Kerrigan. The foundation stone was laid and construction commenced in 1887. The builder was an Attycunnane man by the name of Peter Monaghan. Dick Barrett of Shraigh Hill, grandfather of Michael Barrett, the postman, cut and prepared the stones for the building. Michael Coyle of Glengad was the mason and Jack McDermott of Castlebar did the carpentry. The stones for the building were taken from the quarry in Shraigh Hill and were drawn by horse and cart to the site. Two of the local carters at that time were Seån O Ciaragåin (grandfather of Larry Kerrigan), and Billy Kerrigan

(grandfather of Willie Kerrigan), of Baile na Påirce. It is highly probably that they were employed to cart the stones for the school building. It is believed that the rest of the building materials, as well as the Bangor Blue slates for roofing, were supplied from Westport. As yet no written record of this purchase has surfaced.

 

By Summer of 1888 a one-roomed school, having one chimney on the North side and a small porch facing the road, was completed. The upper part of the large room and porch walls were whitewashed and the lower part was sheeted with dark green wainscoting with a heavy ledge on top.

 

The school furniture consisted of a rostrum on which stood the master's desk and press. Long benches containing ink wells served as seating for the children. There were also two forms, which were a permanent fixture by the West wall. These were sometimes used as temporary seating for those who misbehaved. The playing area behind the school was divided into two sections by a high wall, one section for the girls and the other for the boys. Toilet facilities were situated at the rear of the playing area and although there was no running water, such facilities were considered a luxury in those days. The half-acre site was enclosed by a wall with an iron gate leading onto the road. This wall still stands.

 

June 4th,1888, was an historic day for the area. The teacher, Master Dunphy, and the scholars from the school in Muingmore were absorbed into the new school at Shraigh and the school register was transferred with them. On June 4th also a number of small scholars (aged 4 years), were admitted to the school. They were Ann Donohoe, Kate Barrett, Mary Gaughan, Nora McAndrew, John Gaughan (all belonging to the Shraigh area). The official opening of the new school marked a milestone in the life of the area. For the first time here was a local school officially recognised where little children became scholars at four years of age. The hardships of the long trek to Muingmore were terminated and there was now no excuse for

illiteracy. Monsignor Hewson must indeed have been a proud man on that 4th of June.

 

Mr. Dunphy lived with Seán and Ketty Ciaragáin across the road from the school. On his first day in the school he had a total of 77 scholars, 30 girls and 47 boys, with ages ranging from 4 years to 17 years. However, in May of the following year, 1889, 41 scholars (14 girls and 27 boys), were struck off the roll. In December of '89 Miss Kate O'Flynn from Attymass was appointed as an assistant teacher to the school.

 

The Doolough and Muingmore scholars travelled to Shraigh each day for their education. It is interesting to note that in the school register scholars names were entered in English and Anglicised versions of their addresses were used — Sraith became Srah, Bothar Bui became Boherbee, Baile na Páirce became Parke, Loch na h-Eilí became Lakefield, and Bun an Mhuilinn became Bunawillian. By law all instruction was through English and "the scholars" were forbidden to communicate through their first language, Irish. Failure to comply with these regulations would reap a bitter reward.

 

SUBJECTS TAUGHT

The basic subjects “reading, writing and arithmetic” were well taught. The approach to reading was formal and direct and reading readiness consisted of a firm grasp of the alphabet. When this was thoroughly mastered the small scholar was introduced to the famous "red book". This was the first in the standard series of books.

 

which were used in all Irish schools at that time, and was so well drilled in Shraigh  even today our senior citizens readily recall many of its simple phrases like:

 

"Meg's leg is not bad now."

"Ned put his leg in the tub."

"Jack has got a cart, he can draw sand and clay in it."

"The wind blew off Luke's new hat and cast it to the storm."

 

Those who succeeded in reaching and completing the green sixth book had acquired a good basic knowledge of the English language. For thirty years these books were used year after year until around 1916, when a new series was introduced. Rote learning was favoured at all levels. A high standard of spelling and tables was demanded and scholars learned long poems and recitations by heart. For those who were prepared to remain on into their teens, opportunity was given to study English at greater depth, even some of Shakespeare's plays. Some of these students also learned Euclid and Algebra. A high standard was also attained in world geography.

 

Slates were used for writing on and the old slate pencils, which cost a farthing each, were skilfully used. Pens made from goose quills were also used and a very high standard of penmanship was expected. At a later date steel pens were introduced and the ink was made from ink powder.

 

Religious instruction took pride of place in the school's programme. Scholars were conscientiously prepared for the sacraments and every question and answer in "The Catechism" was thoroughly drilled.

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