Cuilmore school, heartbeat of a west Mayo community

by Auld Stock

CUILMORE National School, Newport, like many other rural schools in the west of Ireland, is suffering from falling pupil numbers.

School principal Tracy Hanley, her fellow teachers and the board of management, have launched a campaign to ensure pupil numbers at the school are kept up to the maximum level. They deserve the support of all in the community.

Auld Stock has a particular interest in Cuilmore school. His late mother, formerly Bridget Geraghty, Cortoon, Newport, and her brothers and sisters all attended the school.

One of Bridget’s sisters, Elizabeth, was killed in a tragic accident on her parents’ farm when she was seven years. Her name is remembered in the roll books of Cuilmore school.

Several Geraghty families, Keanes, Joyces, Sheridans, Mulchrones, Dohertys, Monaghans and Sweeneys from Cortoon and surrounding villages attended Cuillmore National School over several generations.

My cousin, the late Dick Sweeney, played an active role in the school’s fundraising committee some years ago.

In all probability, the grandparents of Grace Kelly, one of Hollywood’s most famous actresses, attended Cuilmore school. The Kelly family lived in Drimurla, a short distance from the school.

The local school is the heartbeat of rural communities, the place where young local people form their first friendships which last a lifetime.

My aunt, Annie Geraghty, who emigrated to America at an early age, spoke in glowing terms of her years in Cuilmore school, the dedication of the teachers and the character they instilled in the young people attending the school.

Today those qualities are as strong and vibrant in Cuilmore National School as they were on the day the school was first opened.

I am confident the teaching staff of the school will have the entire support of all in the community in their campaign to attract more pupils to the school.

They certainly deserve it.