Memories of old schooldays in Culmullen are recalled

Past pupils of the old national school in Culmullen took part in a reunion on Sunday 4th July at the Old School. Built in 1834, the school, which is now the parish hall in Culmullen, was the local national school until May 1947 when the children, chaperoned by teacher Miss McCarthy, walked up to the present day school premises the opposite side of St Martin's Church. The reunion started with Mass in St Martin's Church, concelebrated by Fr John Kerrane and Fr Barry Condron. Fr Kerrane gave an insight into life at the old school, courtesy of information given to him by Maureen Doyle and Billy Rattigan. Culmullen Church Choir provided appropriate music. Lunch afterwards in the old school was attended by 49 past pupils, many accompanied by a spouse or friend. This included four Murray sisters, three Farrell sisters and four Englishby brothers. The hall had been recently redecorated and a gallery of photographs assembled - the earliest class photograph being from 1910. The recently deceased Mattie Russell had been a great help when naming the people in the old class photographs, and this will be his legacy to the local community. Liam Smith was on hand to regale many of the incidents that had happened to different people while in the school, including one where the Meath All-Ireland football medal winner Billy Rattigan and a group of friends decided to mitch afternoon class so that they could follow the Ward Union Hunt. Knowing the trouble they would be in the following day, Billy had been careful to include the teacher's nephew in the gang, in the hope that the punishment would be somewhat more lenient. Six of the best with a stick you had to cut yourself was the norm and, all agreed, it never did them any harm. The cake was then cut by the three elders of Culmullen - Josie Murray, Benny Downes and Tommy Englishby. Following lunch, Mary Hetherington and Gwen Bagnall provided entertainment. They were ably assisted by many ex-pupils and wonderful singing contributions from Mary Cleary and Amy Downes. Members of the Downes family travelled from Oklahoma in the US for the occasion. The Farrell sisters showed that they could teach many a person how to dance properly. Being 4th July, the party finally ended with the American and Irish national anthems. Mary Kelly, chairperson of the Culmullen Hall committee, thanked everyone for making the effort to come, saying that there was nearly a 100 per cent response to invitations. She thanked the people who provided the food for the day, all those who gave photographs and organised their permanent display in the hall, and anyone who helped out in any way to make the day a success. Photographs from the day can be viewed on the parish website, www.dunshaughlin-culmullenparish.ie