Monasteraden National School

St. Aiden's N.S. (Scoil Naomh Aodháin), Monasteraden, Co. Sligo.

In 1870 there was a school in Monasteraden, which was divided into seperate girls' and boys' sections.

There were 138 boys and 158 girls on the roll and the average attendance was 48 and 51 respectively.

The present school 'St. Aiden's N.S.' stands in the village of Monasteraden(Mainistir Aodháin) on the western

 shores of Lough Gara. It is a 3 teacher school and was officially opened in January 1974 by Doctor

 James Fergus, Bishop of Achonry (1947 - 1976). A further extension was built on to the school in 2008

 and this was officially opened by Minister O'Keeffe (Minister for Education and Science) in

November 2008. The current staff consists of David O'Gara (Principal), Anne Moriarty (Deputy Principal),

 Marian Nally (Infant Teacher), Ruth Towey (Learning Support Teacher) and Margaret Haran

 (Déis Home School Rural Co-ordinator). The following teachers have taught in St. Aidens -

Christy Geaney (Principal), Marie Sharkey, Teresa Murtagh, Nuala Cahill, Mary Fitzmaurice, Seamus Devaney,

Ruth Connor, Margaret Duffy, Mary Carr and Barbara Doyle R.I.P.

Diocese:         Achonry                       Parish:                              Ballaghaderreen

Principal:        David O'Gara             Chairperson B.O.M.         Fr. Joseph Gavigan

Enrolment:     71                                 Staff:                                  3 + 2 shared

The above school is an amalgamation of the following schools: Coolavin, Clooncunny, Townaghbrack and Cross.

Clooncunny N.S. (St. Michael's)    Clooncunny, Co. Sligo.

 St. Michael's National School had the distinction of being the southernmost school in County Sligo. It is in

the parish of Ballaghaderreen. It stands on the southern shore of lower Lough Gara near Clooncuny Bridge.

The school was built and opened in 1894 with husband and wife John and Mary Finnegan as teachers.

their daughter, Una Staunton, also taught there. Children from Derrycongh came to school by boat across

the lake, probably until Kingsland N.S. was built. Teachers who taught in Clooncunny were John  and Mary

Finnegan, Una Staunton, Brigid Keenan, Mary Ellen Leheny, Mary Finnegan, Mary Casey, Winifred Finnegan,

Tom Healy, Linda Doherty, Pauline Forkin, Mary Flannery, Miss Reid, Una Queenan, Mrs B. Surlis and Marie

Sharkey. Clooncunny closed in December 1973. Marie Sharkey joined the staff of St. Aiden's N. S.

Coolavin N.S. (Corner of the O'Finn's), Monasteraden, Co. Sligo.

 Coolavin National school was built in 1871. There were 2 sections - Boys and Girls. It probably replaced the

old Monasteraden Boys' and Girls' schools. In 1936 the boys and girls schools became one and in 1967 pupils

from Townaghbrack National School which closed, transfered to Coolavin. Coolavin N.S. closed its doors for the

 last time in December 1973 and the pupils and teacher Teresa Murtagh moved to the new St. Aiden's N.S.

The following staff are recorded John Casey, Mary Coleman, Winifred Casey, Nora Teresa Lavin, Kate Flaherty,

Bridie P. Jackson, Mary Kate Corcoran, Miss M. Spelman, Hannah Tynan,  Catherine Casey, Mary Finnegan,

This renowned school was known as 'College in the Bog'. It attracted pupils from as far away as Achill and

they boarded in local houses. Othe pupils walked from Ballaghaderreen and other distant places. James

Hannon, later Principal in Annaghmore walked the 10 miles round trip every day from Kilfree to Townaghbrack.

 Such was the hunger for education in late nineteenth century rural Ireland. The man whose excellance as a

 teacher was known so widely, was Master Thomas Cryan, Principal of the Boys division at Townaghbrack.

Built in 1883, the school had two classrooms, one for boys and one for girls. Master Cryan's wife was

Principal in the girls room and there was an assistant teacher in each room also. Initially a four teacher school,

 it was reduced to one teacher in 1957. The school closed in 1967 and the remaining nine pupils transfered to

Coolavin N.S. which later amalgamated with St. Aiden's. Teachers who taught in Townaghbrack included Master

and Mrs Cryan, Master Corcoran, Mr Needham, Mrs O'Grady, Mr. Casey, Pauline Forkin and Mrs B. Surlis.    

St. Attracta's N.S. Cross National School Cross, Edmondstown, Ballaghaderreen.

St. Attracta's N.S. (Cross N.S.) was built in 1886. It was in the parish of Ballaghaderreen. There were two

classrooms in the school. The last two teachers were Mr. Reid (Principal) and Mrs Kierans. Master Reid

taught the senior classes and Mrs Kierans taught the Junior classes. There were two playgrounds and the

boys and girls were not allowed to mix during play. Children from the Cross catchment area now attend

St. Aiden's N.S., Monasteraden.            

 Annie Stenson, Mary Cregg, Gertrude Finan, Brigid Coleman, Michael Brennan, Richard Higgins and Teresa Murtagh.