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Looking forward to the Flemby NS Golden Jubilee event on Saturday were Jack O’Flaherty, Sophie McKenna, Søren Dowds, Principal Paul Roche and Päivi Dowds. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE history of two Ballymac schools will be explored on Saturday with a special event in Flemby school.
In January 1966, the pupils of Ballymacthomas National School moved to a new school in Flemby after almost 100 years.
With the school celebrating its Golden Jubilee, it was thought fitting to include those who went to Ballymacthomas too.
“Flemby is 50 years old and Ballymacthomas is 150 so we decided to interview past pupils from both schools for a special booklet which will be available on Saturday,” said teacher, Fiona Cooke.
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Former pupils have been contributing old photos for a special exhibition on Saturday from 2pm to 4pm at the school. They are invited to come in and share memories of their time there, to look at their names in the roll book and a calendar and commemorative booklet will be for sale on the day.
Later there will a mass at 7,30pm in Cloghers Church to remember past pupils and then a special night at O’Riada’s in Ballymac with music and chat.
The pupils at the school have taken a great interest in the event and have been learning about what life was like in Ballymacthomas all those years ago and went on a trip to an old schoolhouse on Muckross farm.
“They were very interested in what it was like in the old school, the differences between then and now and what the punishments were like,” said Principal Paul Roche.
Back in the 1966 when the school moved to Flemby, the teacher was interested in gardening and they even had beehives. Now we’re going back to that now with our butterfly bed and polytunnel,” said Fiona. It should be a great event for all the parish, but especially for past pupils of both schools.
