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Skeheenarinky townland straddles the
foothills of the Galtee mountains and more low-lying farmland
at the north end of Ballyporeen parish in Southwest
County Tipperary. Skeheenarinky.com is the website of that community
and also of the wider community in the
Skeheenarinky National School district. The website aims particularly to serve the
members of the National School
Parents' Council in their endeavours to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the school which, according to the plaque on the
school wall, was built in
1858. In these pages you will find information about the plans for the wonderful celebratory weekend of
June 20 - 22 scheduled for 2008. We
strongly advise those coming to the celebrations who may
need accommodation to make their arrangements well in
advance. Here
is a list of a few hotels in the area. Skeheenarinky School
is possibly the oldest working
National School in the country. Other school
buildings have survived but are not used as schools anymore.
Others have been
replaced on the same site as older schools, and still more have been so extensively reconstructed as to
actually be modern buildings. This school is
different; it is unique in its architecture and its
history. To all who travel the road between Dublin and Cork,
its cut limestone construction makes it a familiar landmark.
It was built just after the Great Famine, and the students
who attended here have seen what Sean Kearney described as Turbulent
Days Beneath Galteemore.
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Skeheenarinky Girls
1913 |
Mrs. Morrissey's
Retirement 1975 |
Mr. Kelleher's
Retirement 1981 |
The three photos
above are only a fraction of what you will find in the
book. Don't miss your copy!!
On Friday, 20 June, 2008, a book titled Hard Days and Happy Days - A History of Skeheenarinky National School will be launched at
the school . The book, which will be published by the
National School Anniversary Committee is currently being written by Ed O'Riordan and Karol DeFalco. All funds from the book will go to the Parents' Council.
Be sure of your book by pre-ordering here.
Information on the Friday Night Launch and museum opening here.
The title of the book suggested itself in an interview with
Paddy O'Mahony. When asked about his time in
Skeheenarinky National School in the 1930s, Paddy replied,
"we had hard days and happy days".
The entire weekend of 20 - 22 June, 2008 has been dedicated to commemorating
the school, the pupils who attended there and the teachers
who taught there. A book launch by Dr. Garret
FitzGerald, traditional music sessions, get-together and
dance at Cahir House Hotel, museum for the weekend,
pageant by local children, grand Gala Day on the Sunday,
tree planting ceremony, a barbecue, a reunion, and more to be
planned will make
this a once in a lifetime chance to become involved in a
commemoration of those who have gone before us and a
celebration of those who continue to live here, farm the
land here, work here, and are connected to the school in so
many ways.
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Next Committee
Meeting 5th March 2008.
8.30 PM
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Invitation
to Sponsors
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