MASS OF HEALING

20/07/2015 by borderroamer

Pat Clarke from Delvin in Co. Westmeath brought his gifts of healing to Carrickmacross tonight. St Joseph’s church was packed out for a Mass of Healing celebrated by Fr Larry Duffy PP.

Afterwards Pat Clarke spent two hours meeting hundreds of people and praying over each individual. Some of those present ‘swooned’ or fell backwards after the faith healer had touched them and helped by Pat’s team then lay on the floor for a short time before sitting up again.

Pat does not advertise his ministry and has to be invited to parishes. He told me he has been carrying out this work for seventeen years. He is a carpenter by trade and is married, with four children.

A great atmosphere of peace and quiet devotion from before the Mass at 7:30pm until 10:30pm when Pat was seeing some latecomers. Beautiful singing by the choir and organ music as well.

CARRICKMACROSS PATRICIAN HIGH SCHOOL

01/07/2015 by borderroamer

Patrician High School Principal Joe Duffy and Deputy Principal Sean Rafferty Photo: © Michael Fisher

School Inspection Praises High Staff Morale at Patrician High

Michael Fisher Northern Standard Carrickmacross News p.42

The desks were empty in the converted gym when I visited Patrician High School in Carrickmacross recently. But over the next few weeks the hall will be full of students doing their Leaving Certificate. Principal Joe Duffy and Deputy Principal Sean Rafferty have been ensuring that all necessary preparations are made for the 73 pupils sitting exams. It has been a busy year for them. In January the school underwent its own test, a rigorous whole school evaluation of management, leadership and learning, carried out over three days by two inspectors from the Department of Education and Skills. The high staff morale and motivation of the 35 teachers was praised.

During the evaluation, the inspection team met the school’s board of management, in-school management, and groups of teachers, parents and students. Inspectors also reviewed a range of school documentation and responses to questionnaires and examined other data in relation to the operation of the school. A range of lessons in a number of subjects was inspected.

Patrician High School is a Catholic voluntary secondary school for boys under the trusteeship of the Bishop of Clogher. It has experienced a significant growth in student numbers in recent years and from a base of around 360 it now has a current enrolment of 507. Joe Duffy expects this will soon increase to 540.

The key findings of the inspection were that the teaching staff is motivated and that morale at the school is high. The senior management team provides effective leadership to the school and models the highest standards of commitment in all areas of school life.

Commitment to quality improvement is clearly evident among all partners of the school community, according to the report. The inspectors found that teaching and learning were effectively led by senior management and the quality observed in classrooms ranged from good to very good with instances of excellent teaching practice evident in many lessons. Finally, the report concluded that care of students received a high priority in the school and was managed effectively. The report made a number of recommendations, which the school is seeking to put into practice, including a review of the system for monitoring student attendance.

The report praised the senior management team for forming an effective partnership that modeled the highest standards of commitment to all areas of school life. A shared model of leadership has been established. According to the findings, “the senior management team prioritises an atmosphere of respect and good order as essential elements to providing optimal conditions for teaching and learning to take place.”

Staff morale is high, teachers are motivated and there is a high level of collaboration between staff and senior management, the report said. The dedication of staff to the provision of a wide range of co-curricular and extracurricular activities is noted and affirmed by management. Transition Year students have had successes in competitions such as the BT Young Scientist, Young Social Innovators, Enterprise Awards at county, regional and national levels and the Scifest in Dundalk.

In Joe Duffy’s office there is a framed note from the Tyrone GAA manager Mickey Harte. Addressing the young pioneers, he told them “Always work at being the best; You can be and then you will be a real success”. Two of the virtues the staff try to instil are timekeeping and smart appearance, including wearing a clean pair of shoes.

Past pupils have also gone on to be very successful in various fields. They include RTE weatherman Gerry Murphy, RTE Director General Noel Curran and his brother Richard, comedian Oliver Callan, who first developed his mimicry at school concerts, another comedian Ardal O’Hanlon, and local councillors Padraig McNally and PJ O’Hanlon.

The school provides a broad curriculum and management has reviewed and amended the choice of subjects in response to changing demands. An example of this is the expanded provision of science subjects which now includes Agricultural Science. The report said it was notable that the optional Transition Year programme attracted almost all students. Student care and welfare are school priorities and good supports are provided from within the school’s support structure and through developing links with external agencies.

The newly refurbished school building is very well maintained and facilities are provided to a very high level. A stimulating learning environment has been provided in teacher-based classrooms. The library is open to students at lunchtime and has been brought into greater use by timetabled access to link with the school’s literacy improvement plan. The staff room has been recently extended to include a preparation and corrections area. There is a canteen and lunch area for students and part of it is covered in murals which have been painted with the guidance of the art teacher.

When Joe Duffy spoke to the Northern Standard, he pointed out he pictures along the walls showing the vast range of activities carried out by students. In the field of civic, social and political education they have undertaken trips to the Dáil and the Northern Ireland Assembly. On the sports field, pupils like Stephen O’Hanlon have been successful in basketball and he is now on a sports scholarship in the United States. Others have enjoyed success in football with the local GAA club Carrick Emmets. Hurling is also being developed. More sports success has occurred in swimming and in soccer.

Overall Joe Duffy said he was very pleased with the results of the official school evaluation. He said it showed the great contribution by staff to pastoral care and teaching and the way they had developed a camaraderie with the pupils in a spirit of collegiality. Mr Duffy said he was very pleased with the way things were going. He pointed out the principal values instilled in students: respect, be on time, be prepared, follow instructions and participate fully. He hoped those five important points would continue to be fostered in the next academic year at Patrician High School.

WALK IN CARRICKMACROSS (4)

25/06/2015 by borderroamer

Holy Well, Carrickmacross Photo: © Michael Fisher

Walk Around Carrickmacross

Northern Standard Carrickmacross News Thursday 28th June

4. HOLY WELL AND PENNY BRIDGE

Holy Well, Carrickmacross Photo: © Michael Fisher

Leaving the Fever Hospital, the walk route proceeds from the Shercock Road and turns back towards the town towards Mullinary Street, formerly known as Penny Street as it is close to Penny Bridge. The name was formally changed by referendum in 1956. At the footpath on the right hand side (heading towards town) there was a holy well, the site of which is marked by a large stone. The inscription on the stone contains a cross with the sign ‘IHS’ (a symbol for Jesus) at the top. It proclaims that this water supply was erected by EPS (EP Shirley, the landlord) in the year of 1876. There is also a Bible quotation from John, chapter 4:

“Who drinks hereat shall thirst again

But waters are in store

So pure so deep that all who will

May drink and thirst no more”.

The well was covered in and was replaced by a pump, which now forms an attractive part of the annual Tidy Town display.

Penny Bridge, Carrickmacross Photo: © Michael Fisher

Nearby a stone marks the site of what was once the Penny Bridge on one of the entrances to the town. It got its name from the one penny cost of the toll that used to be charged for those using the bridge over the river that feeds into Lough na Glack. According to Henderson’s Carrickmacross directory for 1856, boot and shoemaker Patrick Tumelty had a premises at the Penny Bridge and other members of the Tumelty clann were in the same trade at Main Street and Monaghan Street.

WALK IN CARRICKMACROSS (3)

24/06/2015 by borderroamer

Former Fever Hospital, Carrickmacross Photo: © Michael Fisher

WALK AROUND CARRICKMACROSS Northern Standard Carrickmacross News Thursday 18th June

3. FEVER HOSPITAL

Leaving the Toll House the guided walk proceeds through the mall of the new shopping centre and takes the road down the hill towards the Shercock Road roundabout.

Stone Plaque above front entrance at former Fever Hospital, Carrickmacross, showing construction date 1842 Photo: © Michael Fisher

The first building on the left hand side is the old fever hospital. It was designed by architect George Sudden and according to the stone plaque above the main entrance, it opened in 1842. Like many other buildings on the tour, it was constructed from local limestone. In those days medical staff had very little training and care was primitive. The nurses and doctors were called to deal with infections such as TB, pneumonia, typhoid, and smallpox.

A plaque recalls the occasion when the Inniskeen poet Patrick Kavanagh, then in his 20s, was treated there for typhoid fever and quotes from his prose work “The Green Fool”. One of the three great laughs he had in his life, he says, was caused by a joke told by the night nurse in the hospital. The hospital was in use until the 1950s. In 1962 the building was purchased by the Fane Valley Co-Operative and was used for a time as a jam factory.

Across the road from the hospital is the restored Workhouse building. Opened in 1843 it was one of 157 that were built in the era of the Great Famine. The Workhouse is not included on the walking tour but is open to visitors during the week.

BOSE SALE CARRICKMACROSS

22/06/2015 by borderroamer

Former Bose factory, Carrickmacross Photo: © Michael Fisher

SALE OF BOSE MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT

Michael Fisher Northern Standard Carrickmacross News Thursday 18th June p.43

There was a steady stream of visitors to the former Bose factory in Carrickmacross last Thursday 11th and Friday 12th June. Among them were a number of local business people, checking out the plant and machinery that had been put up for sale by the US-based company. 140 workers were made redundant at the start of June, following the sudden announcement in January that the factory would be closing. For a number of them, Bose had been their only employer and the company had always looked after them since it set up a European base in County Monaghan in 1978.

Former Bose factory, Carrickmacross Photo: © Michael Fisher

The company had been founded by a sound engineer and entrepreneur, Dr Amar Bose in 1964 in Natick, Massachusetts. It developed a revolutionary 901 speaker system. Its acoustic wave system was introduced in 1984. One of the reasons the company came to Carrickmacross was because of the local expertise in furniture making. There was a skilled workforce which made cabinets for the sound systems.

Former Bose Factory, Carrickmacross Photo: © Michael Fisher

Former Bose workers say the plant continued to be profitable and that staff had fulfilled their targets and had undertaken any necessary work practices to ensure that orders were met. There was never an industrial dispute at the factory. Now some are too old to find another job. But there could be some hope for others.

Padraig McEneaney, CEO Celtic Pure Ltd Photo: © Michael Fisher

According to Padraig McEneaney CEO of Celtic Pure Ltd in Corcreagh, near Carrickmacross, five former Bose workers have been taken on at their bottled water plant. After inspecting the inside of the Bose premises, Mr McEneaney said the plant had been very well maintained. He put bids on a number of items, which had to be in by midday on Friday. Then the tenders were opened on Tuesday, to see which was the highest bid.

Main entrance to former Bose Factory, Carrickmacross Photo: © Michael Fisher

Over 1000 lots were listed in the catalogue and the sale was conducted by McKay Auctioneers from Dublin. Mr McEneaney said this was a slightly unusual way of doing business and he would await the outcome of the tendering process. The businessman said he hoped a replacement business would be found over the next twelve months. Although Carrick was a thriving town, Bose would be sadly missed. There would be a knock-on effect for several contractors such as couriers and suppliers. He pointed out that there were some top quality and highly skilled staff from Bose and he hoped they would find new employment. Mr McEneaney also stressed the advantages Carrickmacross had as a place to locate a business. It was only one hour from Dublin and close to the motorway and the airport.

Paddy Gollogly, Carrickmacross Lions Club
Photo: © Michael Fisher

Paddy Gollogly, a founder member of Carrickmacross Lions Club, was another visitor to the Bose auction. He said the company had been good for Carrickmacross and had sponsored the Lions’ annual charity cycle run in the early years. Their withdrawal would leave a big loss for charities in the area. He recalled the major contribution the Bose social club had made to groups such as Carrick Cancer, and it was going to be hard to raise money without a similar large group of volunteers to help them. He thanked the workers for their fundraising efforts over the past 37 years.

Kevin Gartlan, Carrickmacross Workhouse. Photo: © Michael Fisher

Kevin Gartlan of Carrickmacross Workhouse wanted to find out if there were any heritage items that were worth preserving. He hoped that a few items of local interest would be preserved. He also hoped that local small businesses would be successful in their tenders for machinery and other items as it was necessary to keep as many jobs as possible locally.

Jim Hand, President, Carrickmacross Chamber of Commerce Photo: © Michael Fisher

Jim Hand, President of Carrickmacross Chamber of Commerce, said he hoped the IDA and Enterprise Ireland would be successful over the next year in attracting a new company to take over the lease on the factory. It was still a state of the art building. There was a broadband connection and a good infrastructure, with Carrick close enough to Dublin for any investor. He also thanked the loyal Bose workforce for their service and their commitment and the contribution they had made to Carrickmacross for nearly forty years. He hoped the staff would get fixed up elsewhere.

Former Bose Factory, Carrickmacross Photo: © Michael Fisher

WALK IN CARRICKMACROSS (2)

15/06/2015 by borderroamer

WALK AROUND CARRICKMACROSS

Northern Standard Carrickmacross News Thursday 11th June

The Toll House, Carrickmacross Photo: © Michael Fisher

2. THE TOLL HOUSE

Just up from The Shirley Arms Hotel on the same side of Main Street and in the forecourt of the modern shopping centre is a small single-storey picturesque building known as ‘The Toll House’. It forms an integral part of the former marketplace, standing across the street from the market buildings. It was built by the Shirley estate, as evidenced by the armorial plaque and the date, 1861, some thirty years after the hotel.

Each gable is surmounted by the fleur-de-lys as a reminder of the fact that the landlords could trace their descent through the Devereux family from the Plantagenets, former Kings of England.

The Toll House, Carrickmacross: Fleur-de-Lys decoration and Shirley crest dated 1861 Photo: © Michael Fisher

The architecture and detail of the Toll House link it with other Shirley estate buildings around the western side town. The other side was owned by the Bath estate. The Tudor-style detailing, with label-mouldings and typical doorway, enhances this modest building. It was used to collect market levies and tolls. Just outside it is a weighbridge platform. The rest of the weighing equipment was inside.

Thursday was traditionally market day in Carrick and a grain market was held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Fairs were held on the second Thursdays of January, February, March, April, June and October and on predetermined dates during the other months. In 1897 the market weighmaster was J.T.Gibbings. Michael McCabe was the collector of tolls and Henry Russell was the clerk.

The building was used for a number of years to house the Lace Gallery, which then moved across the road to the Market Square in 1991. In the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, the Toll House is described as having a pitched slate roof with tooled stone fleur-de-lys finials, cut-stone copings, and cast-iron rainwater goods. Exposed random squared sandstone walls with tooled sandstone skew-putts, armorial and date plaque to east elevation, and smooth raised quoins. Square-headed window openings having chamfered tooled sandstone surrounds and label-mouldings, stone sills and barred four-over-four pane timber sliding sash windows with ogee horns. Tudor-arch door opening having chamfered tooled sandstone surround, label-moulding and replacement timber door.

YOUNG SWIMMER’S MEDAL SUCCESS

14/06/2015 by borderroamer

Leinster and Ulster Schools record-breaking swimmer Cathal Kearney from Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan Photo: © Michael Fisher

YOUNG SWIMMER’S SUCCESS IN ULSTER AND LEINSTER

Michael Fisher Northern Standard Carrickmacross News Thursday June 11th

It takes dedication to be a record-breaking swimmer, especially when there are no training facilities on your doorstep. 13 year-old Cathal Kearney from Ballintra, Inniskeen, is just finishing his first year at Patrician High School in Carrickmacross, a town which has never had a swimming pool. He belongs to the Aer Lingus Swimming club at Dublin airport and his training schedule has brought him gold medal success in Leinster as well as at Ulster schools’ level.

A typical day for him would involve classes at school until 3:30pm and then a journey of over an hour to Dublin airport. Training at the Aer Lingus 25m pool under the guidance of coach Alan Turner takes up to two hours. This means it’s usually 8pm by the time Cathal returns home and is able to start his school homework. Sometimes his mother drives him and on other occasions he gets a lift with swimmers from Dundalk.

Cathal told the Northern Standard that everyone at the well-run club was very supportive, in particular two of their successful Leinster and Ireland swimmers, Andrew Meegan and Benjamin Doyle.

Two months the Inniskeen student was selected to swim on the Leinster team at the Ulster Age Group and Youth Championship in Bangor, County Down. This is the top swimming competition in Ulster. Cathal won five gold medals and broke five Ulster records in the boys under 13 100m and 200m freestyle, 100m and 200m  breaststroke, and the 200m individual medley. He also came second in the 400m freestyle.

Last month he was selected to swim on the Ulster Secondary Schools Interprovicial team, based on his performace at the Ulster Secondary Schools Competition last October, when he won the boys 13/14 years freestyle event. He came second in the 100m Breaststroke whilst representing Patrician High.

At the Interpro Championship Cathal won the 13/14 years 100m freestyle and finished 3rd in the 100m breaststroke, swimming a year out of his age in both events and thus helping his Ulster team to victory and claiming the Interprovincial cup.

A fortnight ago Cathal competed in Leinster for his club Aer Lingus in the Division 1 age group Open at the National Aquatic Centre in Blanchardstown. He was up against the best in Leinster as well as the best in Ulster, for whom he had already competed as a Monaghan schoolboy.

Cathal swam in six events over three days, with heats in the morning and finals in the afternoon. He came home to Inniskeen this time with six gold medals claiming the top award in the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle, 100m, 200m breaststroke and 200m IM.

Swimming seems to run in the Kearney family as Cathal’s younger sister Aoife (aged 11), is also competing and achieving at the highest standard. A pupil at St Daigh’s National School, Inniskeen, she currently holds both the Ulster and Irish Minor Schools titles in the Girls’ 50m backstroke. His cousin Shauna McGahon from Killanny is also a swimmer and has represented Monaghan at the community games.

Leinster and Ulster Schools record-breaking swimmer Cathal Kearney from Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan Photo: © Michael Fisher

It was as a 7 year-old taking part in the community games that Cathal first swam competitively. His mother had taken him to Dundalk for swimming lessons as a 5 year-old. At the start, he didn’t like them at all but he gradually got used to the water and has never looked back since. Cathal is the eldest of four children. As well as Aoife, he has another sister Kaitlin, aged 7, who also attends St Daigh’s school. The youngest in the family is 4 year-old Sean. As Cathal left Patrician High School where I met him, the Principal Joe Duffy came across and congratulated him on his sporting achievements. Hopefully he will bring back more medals to County Monaghan in future.

WALK IN CARRICKMACROSS (1)

13/06/2015 by borderroamer

The Shirley Arms Hotel, Carrickmacross Photo: © Michael Fisher

WALK AROUND CARRICKMACROSS

Northern Standard Carrickmacross News Thursday 4th June

The best way of learning about a town or city is to walk around it. So if you want to know more about the history of Carrickmacross, come and join the free walking tours every Saturday during the summer months. The ninety minute journey departs from the Court House at the top of the Main Street at 11am. Booking is not required, except for large groups. Children are welcome and will be given the opportunity to take part in a quiz during the walk. Come prepared for bad weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. For more details email info@carrickmacrosschamber.com or phone the Chamber of Commerce Secretary on (042) 9664833.

Learn about what happened during the War of Independence and about Famine Times in the Workhouse (which does not form part of the tour). Discover clues about the rivalries between the two major landlords who owned the town: the Shirleys of Lough Fea and the Bath Estate. Over the next few weeks, we hope to feature the stories of some of the historical buildings in Carrick.

The Shirley Arms Hotel with Shirley family crest, Carrickmacross Photo: © Michael Fisher

1. The Shirley Arms Hotel is where the walking tour departs from. This hotel has existed since the early nineteenth century. In 2008 it re-opened after a major refurbishment and extension that included the retention of the original staircase in White’s Bar. The Shirley Arms Hotel is a protected structure and is of national importance.

In 1821 there were three hotels listed in Carrickmacross: the Commercial and Post Hotel and the Shirley Arms Hotel on Main Street and one smaller hotel on Bath Street. The Shirley Arms Hotel is a formal classical composition. The building sits in a prominent position on the former Shirley estate, forming part of the formal set-piece of what is now known as Courthouse Square, a neat and elegant closing of the two vistas of the Main Street and the Castleblayney Road.

In 1835 the hotel appears as a simple block with a small annexe to the north and gardens along Rope Walk. There was a stack yard with large warehouse and ancillary buildings in the courtyard to the west or rear of the hotel. Thirty years later the hotel had expanded to contain a larger annexe to the north, possibly used as a manager’s house and with two returns to the rear. These returns were removed to facilitate the building of the modern extension to the rear. Also in the twentieth century, the yard to the rear had become an enlarged closed courtyard and there was an additional yard surrounded by small store buildings to the west. The Inniskeen poet Patrick Kavanagh’s quote confirms its use as a storage yard, possibly for grain for the town’s many distilleries or for building materials:

“Here was a toss-pit going strong in White’s Yard. ‘Heads another

half-dollar, heads a half-dollar’. I was trusting to luck to lift me out of debt into flush prosperity”. (from The Shirley Arms Hotel)

CARRICKMACROSS FESTIVAL PARADE

10/06/2015 by borderroamer

Festival Fun in Carrickmacross

Northern Standard Carrickmacross News Thursday 4th June

Despite one of the worst years for weather, the Carrickmacross June Bank Holiday Festival was very enjoyable with a good carnival atmosphere around the town. The opening parade on Friday evening brought colour and excitement to the town as the participants, many of them young people, made their way from Inver College along to the Main Street. The theme this year was the Pirates of the Caribbean.

The launch night last Thursday was in aid of the Laura Crossan Trust and was held in the Fiddler’s Elbow. There was live music on the night by local blues legends the Short Fuse Blues, with a number of support acts.

Several local bands played at this year’s festival including Black Tie Event, The Flaws, R U 4 Reel, and The Fuzzy Burgers. After Dark featured local man Martin O’Neill on bass and vocals and the Paulo Nutini Tribute featured local drummer Mark Montague. An Lochrann Linn Band and the Steadfast Brass Band both performed over the weekend. Carickmacross Comhaltas presented an afternoon of traditional Irish music, song and dance.

All the Fun of the Fair at Carrickmacross Festival Photo: © Michael Fisher

Special thanks to the Phoenix centre team, who helped out by allowing the teddy bears’ picnic to move inside owing to the bad weather on Monday. The raffle which was meant to be held on Monday will be carried out over the next few days. All prize winners will be announced on the festival’s facebook page. The organising committee would like to thank all the sponsors who contributed to making the event a success. Roll on next year!

KILLANNY SUCCESS IN TEXACO ART

08/06/2015 by borderroamer

TEXACO ART AWARDS FOR THREE YOUNG KILLANY PUPILS

Michael Fisher Northern Standard Carrickmacross News Thursday June 4th p.35

Texaco Children’s Art Competition winners Kate Norton, Sophia Goodman and Grace Conlon from Scoil Naoimh Éanna, Killanny.

Scoil Naoimh Éanna in Killanny is a centre of creativity for its 220 pupils, divided into eight classes. From sport to debating and now in the field of art, the talents of the youngsters are being recognised nationally. This week there was particular cause for celebration. Three pupils were among the finalists in Ireland’s biggest competition for chidlren’s art, the Texaco awards, now in their 61st year. Sophia Goodman, aged 7, from Annahean, came third in the 7-8 years age category. She won a €125 art voucher for her entry entitled “The Nice Flowers”.

Sophia Goodman from Killanny with her painting “The Nice Flowers” that won 3rd prize in Category E. Photo: © Michael Fisher

In the same category, Kate Norton (7) from Drumever, who painted “The Cute Kittens”, got €50 and an art box.

Kate Norton's painting "The Cute Kittens" won a Special Merit award in Category E. Photo: © Michael Fisher

In a different age category, Grace Conlon (6) from Lannat got €30 and an art box for her work “Bird Tunes”. Both received Special Merit Awards. The prizes were presented by Arts Minister and local T.D. Heather Humphreys in the beautiful surroundings of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin.

Grace Conlon's painting "Bird Tunes" won a Special Merit award in Category F. Photo: © Michael Fisher

During a visit to the school on Tuesday, the enthusiasm of the pupils was everywhere to be seen. Principal John Jones showed me around the building, where he has been in charge since 1988. There are eight class teachers ranging from junior infants (pupils from 4 years old) to sixth class (children up to 12), along with two support staff and a resource teacher. In 1995 a new complex was opened at the current site, which straddles the county boundary between Monaghan and Louth. That has both advantages and disadvantages but the county rivalry remains friendly. There are good sports facilities including a specially soundproofed sports hall and an astro turf all-weather pitch which has proved very popular. Basketball can be played inside or outside and boys and girls teams from the school have performed well in several competitions.

Sophia Goodman from Killanny receives her prize from Arts Minister Heather Humphreys T.D. and James Twohig of sponsors Valero (Texaco). Photo: © Michael Fisher

Scoil Naomh Éanna has done well at county level in the Cumann na mBunscol GAA competition. One of the pupils I met, Claragh McGahon, has won five medals for swimming in the community games, including a gold medal last year. The school has done well in the Credit Union schools quiz. Pupils are encouraged to take part in debates, even at a young age when they engage in lively “class discussions”. All this activity has meant that the school has become very popular and a year ago an extension was opened by the Bishop of Clogher Dr Liam MacDaid.

The young artists have been helped by attending art classes every week in the local hall run by Caroline and Bina Butler from Killanny. Three pupils currently in sixth class won special merit awards in the Texaco Art Competition in previous years and another one of them Kerry Grimes came first in Category E for 7-8 year-olds when she was in second class. Yet another success for the school has been the progress of one of its pupils to the Ulster Spelling Bee final, run by Easons. George Green was named Monaghan County Champion in a competition last month at Knockconan school. So it has been a busy few months for the staff and pupils in this part of South Monaghan (or should that be Louth!).

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Tag Archives: Carrickmacross