Scoil na gCruach 1907-1971

26 SCO IL NA gCRUACH 1907-1971 There were no govermnent grants at that time, the parish donated no money nor assistance of any kind. The site was given free of charge and the men from the locality carried the stones in hand-carts. A skilled craftsman built the school, roofed it, plastered it inside and outside and fitted five large windows and a door. One large stone which was transported from near the river in Meenasrone was to be used in the building but someone recognised it as "carraig an Aifrinn", a stone on which Mass was celebrated by Franciscan monks in Penal Times and it was set aside. It was later used as the altar for the grotto which was built near the school in the Marian Year (1954) Con radh na Gaeilge was established at that time and one day Una Ni Fhaircheallaigh, a prominent member of Conradh na Gaeilge who was later a professor of Irish in UCD, came to see the building and gave a donation of 100 pounds. The money paid the tradesman and also paid for desks, a table and any other equipment that was necessary. Mr Charles Coll from Gweedore was the first teacher. The first children were registered on 25 1 " November 1907. Money was almost an unknown item in those days so a committee was established for th e sole purpose of collecting money. They had a great idea, the building was good, the wooden floor was sound so why not hold a dance and charge an admission fee of one shilling. The dance was held in the NewYear and was a great success. Men and women came from Edeninfagh, Brockagh and the Reelin Bridge. Fiddle players from Glenfin and melodeon players from the Croaghs provided the music free of charge. Everybody had a great night and were eager to have more dances. The money was used to buy turf. Mr Coll taught in the area for four years until 1911. 136 boys and 137 girls were registered between 1907 and 1969. Most were from the area although some chi ldren from the parish of Glenfin attended the school in the sixties when the numbers ·were dwindling. Mr Dineen from Kerry replaced Mr Coll but only stayed for a short while. Mr Mc Grenra from Termon was the next teacher, he taught there for about five years and was high ly respected . The next teacher was a Mr O'Kane from Roscommon, he was there for a few years and he was the last male teacher in the Croaghs. Miss Mary Ann Doherty from Fintown was the next teacher; she marrried a teacher from the Glen ties area, a Master Boyle and they lived in the Croaghs area for some 5 to 6 years. Then came Grace Herron, a young lady from Fintown who taugh t for about a