Ratoath schools celebrate centenary

Ratoath National School, built in 1911 by Fr Everard, celebrated its centenary last week when present and past pupils were joined by staff and pupils over a weekend of activities. Fr Everard, to whom the school is dedicated, was known as a man of rare culture. He was parish priest of Nobber who was transferred to Ratoath in 1893. As an amateur painter, he had considerable skill and was also a talented musician. He played the violin with skill and possessed a melodious voice. As a youth, he joined the Navan Repeal Band, which consisted of 40 players, and he was with them at Daniel O'Connell's great repeal meeting at Tara in 1843. He organised the building of the Ratoath school, now known as the junior and senior schools, and employed a builder called Cromer. It was built and furnished at the priest's own expense and cost almost €3,000. It was his gift to the people of Ratoath, according to the history of the village. In 1929-'30, the school was redecorated and the exterior renovated. Similar work was carried out in 1949-'50. In 1956, an additional half-acre was acquired from Ms Kate Dowling. In 1959, there were 166 pupils at Ratoath School. In 1965, after the opening of Rathbeggan NS in the parish, this number had dropped to 137. New extensions were added in 1959, 1962 and 1965. Central heating was installed and an improved playground was provided at a cost of £15,000. In 1972, a field of seven acres was purchased for £8,000 from Mr Larry Halton to accommodate yet another extension, which was completed and opened in 1978. But it didn't stop there - with the explosion of Ratoath's population, a further extension was needed in 1997. By 2003, the number of pupils was around 860, with 35 teachers. Maurice Kearney had been teaching principal since 1974, with deputy principal Audrey McCarthy. Again, proposals were sanctioned for the refurbishment and extension of the school with a new 16-classroom building on part of the existing grounds. In 2005, a new two-storey school was built on the sane campus, enabling the primary school accommodation to be split into a junior and a senior school to cater for the ever growing population of local children. In 2008, more expansion was again needed, and Ratoath Junior School was given the go-ahead for 10 new classrooms, three special education tuition rooms and extension to the general purpose room, while four classrooms and four special tuition rooms were granted for the senior school. Last week's centenary celebrations saw another opening - that of a reinstated entrance. The official opening of the front entrance, which had not been in use since 1963, was performed by local hero and past pupil, Fairyhouse Grand National-winning jockey, Nina Carberry. She then unveiled the plaque in the vestibule which is the new waiting area. The Garda Band played a fanfare and led everyone in procession to the back of the school. Speakers included Val Murrihy, chairperson of the junior school board of management, and PJ Moran, chairperson of the senior school board. Nina Carberry and her brother, Paul, answered questions from pupils. The Garda Band performed and the senior school children sang and played tin whistle. Guests viewed archives and photographs on display in the senior school hall. After lunch, everyone reconvened outside for the junior school show, 'The Magic Of Music'. One hundred balloons were released and a huge birthday cake was unveiled as the celebrations ended with everyone singing happy birthday to both Ratoath National Schools.