.The oldest surviving past pupil Mary Daly with grandchildren Rory and James, and son Sean at the launch of ‘Blennerville School And Community – A Story Worth Telling’ at the school on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
OLD friendships were renewed and memories shared at the launch of a book on the history of Blennerville school on Saturday.
A huge crowd of past pupils passed through the doors to see the huge array of photos on the ‘Memory Wall’ and to meet old friends at the special occasion to launch the book which covers the history of the school and surrounding area.
The oldest surviving pupil, 94 year old Mary Daly, was there to meet other former pupils, while the new generation was also out in force.
Mary’s son, Sean, was a member of the committee who put the book together and was delighted with the turnout for the event.
“It’s fantastic that the different generations have all showed up. They’re all going around and taking photographs and reminiscing about growing up. I met a guy who was in my class who I haven’t seen for 20 years. That was part of the reason we wanted to hold this. By next year, the old school won’t be here, so at least now it’s captured in photos and stories,” said Sean.
The old school is set to be demolished in January when the new school opens behind it, so this was a last chance to for former pupils to walk around and take photos.
Also present were three generations of the McElligott family, Geraldine, John and Sheola McElligott who went to the school, but that stretched to four generations when Geraldine explained that her late mother, Bridget, also attended.
An amazing day of memories and you’ll be lucky to get your hands on a copy of the book as so many were sold on the day.
Scroll down for photos…
.Mary Wallace, Ann Walsh, Rebecca Devane and Deirdre Poff at the launch of ‘Blennerville School And Community – A Story Worth Telling’ at the school on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Nathan and Jacinta Costello, Maeve Moran and Charlotte Costello at the launch of ‘Blennerville School And Community – A Story Worth Telling’ at the school on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Andrea O’Donoghue, Eileen Bailey, Mary O’Donoghue, Therese Greaney and Maureen Walsh at the launch of ‘Blennerville School And Community – A Story Worth Telling’ at the school on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Brendan Poff, Emma Sugrue and Deirdre Poff at the launch of ‘Blennerville School And Community – A Story Worth Telling’ at the school on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanShane and Louise O’Brien with Eileen Diggins at the launch of ‘Blennerville School And Community – A Story Worth Telling’ at the school on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanPhotographs of John McElligott (top) and his grandmother Bridget and a young Geraldine McElligott (below) on the Memory Wall at the launch of ‘Blennerville School And Community – A Story Worth Telling’ at the school on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanPast pupils Lily Bailey and Eileen Kelly at the launch of ‘Blennerville School And Community – A Story Worth Telling’ at the school on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanCaroline, Kaela and Keelin Reidy with Michelle and Noah Fealy at the launch of ‘Blennerville School And Community – A Story Worth Telling’ at the school on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanMary Enright, Mary Collins and Helen Moriarty at the launch of ‘Blennerville School And Community – A Story Worth Telling’ at the school on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanFormer principal of the school Michael O’Connor with pupils Maeve Moloney, Ellen Wallace, Tia Kelly and Ava Flynn at the launch of ‘Blennerville School And Community – A Story Worth Telling’ at the school on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanOlivia O’Shea, Rose O’Connor and Sarah Dinan at the launch of ‘Blennerville School And Community – A Story Worth Telling’ at the school on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanLiz O’Connor, Anne Marie Scott, Sorcha Ryan and Denise Shanahan at the launch of ‘Blennerville School And Community – A Story Worth Telling’ at the school on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanPast pupils, sisters Noreen, Margaret and Mary Glazier at the launch of ‘Blennerville School And Community – A Story Worth Telling’ at the school on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanMary Bowler, Celia Cooke, Mary Daly and Milly Kelliher at the launch of ‘Blennerville School And Community – A Story Worth Telling’ at the school on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanEileen O’Connor with past pupils Hannah Kerins, Hannah Mai Allman and Anne Devane at the launch of ‘Blennerville School And Community – A Story Worth Telling’ at the school on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanKatie Moriarty, Michael O’Connor and Denise Allman at the launch of ‘Blennerville School And Community – A Story Worth Telling’ at the school on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
