Description
Large format 141 page book detailing the history and lived experience of Achill’s secondary school Scoil Damhnait, which operated from 1948 to 2011.
From the back cover:
In September 1948, pioneering educator Padhraic Sweeney opened Scoil Damhnait at Achill Sound, County Mayo, thus ushering in secondary education for the young people in the parish of Achill and the surrounding areas of Mulranny and Ballycroy and breaking the cycle of child and teenage migration that had been a part of Achill life for generations. Sweeney’s vision and mission for the new school was that it would prepare students so that with their educational qualifications they would go better equipped out into the world, they would have enhanved opportunities in seeking and gaining employment, and some might even go on to attend university. During the period of its operation, “the Secondary” or “Padhraic’s” as it was also known, often received plaudits for the achievements of its students and was, in its time, described by one commentator as “the most remarkable of all secondary schools in the country”.
A Record of Service: Scoil Damhnait 1948-2011 is an account of the service given by Scoil Damhnait from its founding until its closure in 2011.
Breege O’Brien was a member of staff at Scoil Damhnait from 1982 to 2011.
With contributions by:
Monsignor Willie Dever
The Fadian Family, Saula
Brendan Graven
Dr. Paddy Lineen
Dr. Noreen Lineen-Curtis
Chris McGinty
Padraig McLoughlin
John O’Keeffe
Table of Contents:
A Word from Maire Sweeney
Introduction
Prologue
1. Time and Place by Breege O’Brien
2. A Secondary School in the Parish by Breege O’Brien
3. The Early Years by Breege O’Brien
4. A Student Reflects, 1955 to 1957 by Dr. Paddy Lineen
5. Building a New School by Breege O’Brien
6. Donning the School Jersey in the 1960s by Chris McGinty
7. A Teacher Reflects, 1971 to 1975 by Padraig McLoughlin
8. Some Memories from 1983 to 1989 by Dr. Noreen Lineen-Curtis
9. Time Spent with Friends, 1987 by Brendan Graven
10. Memories from the Fadian Family by The Fadian Family, Saula
11. This Ludus Grammaticus by John O’Keeffe
12. Delivering Academic Achievement by Breege O’Brien
13. Extracurricular and Co-curricular Activities by Breege O’Brien
14. Sporting Endeavours by Breege O’Brien
15. Doing for Others by Breege O’Brien
16. A Living Memorial by Breege O’Brien
Some Class Photos from 1991 to 2010
17. The School Library by Breege O’Brien
18. Four Green Flags by Breege O’Brien
19. Naomh Damhnait by Breege O’Brien
20. Amalgamation by Breege O’Brien
21. The End of an Era by Breege O’Brien
22. Roll of Service by Breege O’Brien
Epilogue
Thank You
