From the archives: Reconstructed Mayo school reopened in 1962
By Tom Gillespie
SAINT John’s National School at Breaffy, Castlebar, was blessed and opened on Monday, May 14, 1962. The school, which was founded in 1890, had been closed for over six months while reconstruction work, costing £5,500, was being carried out.
The blessing ceremony took place after Mass in St. Aloysius Church, Breaffy, which was celebrated by Very Rev. Fr. William Nohilly, Adm., Castlebar.
The official opening ceremony was performed by Mr. Sean MacTiernan, district inspector, Department of Education.
Seventy pupils attended the two-teacher school, at which the headmaster was Mr. Andy McTigue, Castlebar. The assistant was Mrs. B. Doyle, Ballina.
After performing the blessing ceremony, Fr. Nohilly said: “I hope you all feel as happy as I do that the day of the blessing and reopening of our reconstructed school has come. It is a reason for great happiness and we sincerely thank the Lord for it.
“Down the road towards today’s achievement we had the invaluable assistance of many people to whom our sincere thanks are now due.
“To the Department of Education and Public Works, we are very much indebted for the great generosity and help which they gave towards the reconstruction.
“And I am happy to see with us their representative in the persons of Messers. MacTiernan Coleman and Cavanagh. I bid them a healthy welcome in your name and on behalf of the clergy, and I thank them very sincerely for the great interest they took in the reconstruction of Breaffy school.”
Fr. Nohilly added: “But a plan for reconstruction, no matter now nice, is a useless instrument unless it is faithfully reproduced by good workmanship. Here, however, we were most fortunate in having Mr. Jim Gordon, a most conscientious man and a very able contractor, who was prepared to go to any limits to please and give us a well-furnished building.
“In viewing the school yesterday, you yourselves saw how well he had succeeded, and to him and his employees I extend sincere congratulations and heartfelt thanks.
“I feel this work will place Mr. Gordon very, very high in the esteem of the Department of Public Works, and he certainly has our very best wishes for the future.
“We are much indebted to the county engineer and his assistants for widening the road for us in the immediate vicinity of the school. You yourselves are witnesses to the great extent this has benefited the school and passers-by.
“And to you, the people of Breaffy, for your generous encouragement and faithful cooperation, I am deeply grateful, and I hope that in the finished job you are satisfied that your trust in us all has not been misplaced.”
He went on: “At a crucial point in the negotiations for the reconstruction of our school, unfortunately, I had to withdraw as a result of illness, but into the breach there stepped Fr. William Fair, who brought enthusiasm and energy into matters that I could never hope to bring. I thank him sincerely for the great part he has played.
“I feel that you are proud of your reconstructed school. This is how I would like it to be, and that your pride will take on the form of protective interest in the school and in everything within the boundary walls of the school. It is for you, the people Breaffy, that the school exists and would like you always to look on it as you would look on your own private property.
“And now it is our fervent wish that, in the words of the blessing, your children will come forth from this school well equipped in mind and heart to play their part as good citizens here and so each for themselves a happy eternity hereafter.”
Among this present at the ceremony were Mr. G. Coleman, architect, Board of Works; Mr. T. Cavanagh, Board of Works; Mr. A. McTigue, N.T., headmaster, and Mr. J. Gordon, Plovervale, contractor.