Loughmore NS recently celebrated its 80th Anniversary of this school building, which was opened for the school year 1933-1934. As you can read in the school history article on this website, Loughmore has a long a rich educational history, stretching back to the hedge schools and before even. In order to mark this event we organised a day of celebration. An exhibition of old school artefacts, projects, photographs, etc., was arranged for between 5-7pm on Saturday. This was extremely well attended by parishioners and past and present pupils, parents and staff. We took this opportunity also to unveil our new school mural, (see separate article on website). A fabulous publication, designed especially for this event, was also launched on the day – Loughmore NS 80th Anniversary Book boasts over 90 pages of photographs (both colour and black & white), and articles related to he school in the past or present – old inspector reports, history of the school, rules for corporal punishment, etc. We are indebted to Michael Connolly for putting so much work into this book , and also to those people who submitted photos and articles for this publication. It can be bought in the school or the Cottage for €10.
After this exhibition, a special mass, with the theme of past and present ‘Journeying Together’, was celebrated in Loughmore church and involved music, symbols, singing and readings, delivered by past and present members of the school community. It was a very poignant and nostalgic mass.
Following this mass, there was a social dance and gathering held in the Community Hall, where refreshments were served and music was provided by a group called ‘Showdown’. People enjoyed mingling and reminiscing as families, neighbours, friends and former classmates all caught up. Eight of the first batch of pupils to attend the new school were in attendance and sat for a special photograph. A special presentation was made on the night to two people who it was felt have contributed much in the way of preserving and passing on the history of the school – former Principal Peggy Gleeson and Monsignor Dooley. Mrs. Kati Kelly, widow of the late Irish Olympian runner, John Kelly, was also in attendance to represent her husband, a former past pupil of Loughmore NS.
Overall this celebration was a wonderful opportunity to stroll down memory lane, to celebrate the many achievements of this wonderful school community, to honour the past staff, management, parents, volunteers and pupils who have contributed so much to the school and community over the years. It also served to acknowledge the progress the school has made over the years, including the new recent departure of opening an ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) unit to cater for pupils with special educational needs in a holistic and inclusive manner.
We thanks the hardworking 80th Anniversary Committee who planned and prepared this event with such interest, enthusiasm and commitment. Ní neart go cur le chéile.
