I heard a rumour that it was. In fact, last week I was told that it actually had. The summer holidays have started so it’s hard to tell. I don’t have children attending the school either. This seemed so sad to me as I’m pretty sure it celebrates it’s centenary this year. The rumour was that the school was being merged with Tonragee National School and that pupils would travel there to be educated. No one I spoke to seemed to know for sure. I checked all of the local press and looked online but could find nothing to tell me that the school was closed.
I decided to go straight to the ‘horses mouth’ and ask the Department of Education. I’m impressed that they even replied to my email to be honest. Anyway, they’ve confirmed that the school hasn’t closed. Of course, this doesn’t mean that it won’t at some point in the future.
I’m so pleased to hear this. I know this is a ‘non-news’ story but no news is good news sometimes and it’s better to know, rather than listen to rumour.
This is what the School Capital Appraisal Section, Department of Education and Skills had to say;
I refer to you email below regarding Currane NS, Gob a Choire, Achill, Co Mayo.
I can confirm that this school is still open, the enrolment was 11 in 2012. The staffing was Principal only.
I am in the process of selling my house here in the UK and I am seriously thinking of buying a house in Achill.
I am a widow in my fifties and I have led a very active life as a social worker and in Adult Education. I have seen a lovely house for sale in Currane.
Come on Dear Friendly folk convince me that i can make friends in your wonderful community. I am Irish and I have a love of the west.
Many Thanks
I look forward to your comments
It’s a Bank Holiday weekend so naturally the weather has taken a downturn. Here are some amazing pictures, taken last night by Ian Boyle. Corraun House and Sweeney’s Pier in the lightning.
There was a power cut yesterday (29th March) in Currane. We were without electricity for approx. 5 hours. (6.30am – 11.30am). We have no idea why. We’d love to know, leave us a comment if you do. There was no wind and certainly it wasn’t a lightning strike. I think the area affected went as far as Polranny. I thought it would be interesting to make a note of it here so that we have a record of how often this happens over the years.
We’ve now set up the site so that anybody can add content to it. If you want to upload words and pictures, just use the submissions menu above. It couldn’t be easier.This isn’t our web site, it’s yours, so why not get involved?
Left to right: Donncha Ó Gallachóir; Deputy Seamus Hughes; Padraic Ó Gallachóir, Cathaoirleach, Glór na dTonn; Minister of State Pat The Cope Gallagher; Archbishop Joseph Cassidy; Very Rev. John Fallon, P.P.; Cllr. Pat Kibane and Rev. Peter Connolly, at the opening of Curraun Community Centre.
BROWN bog, heather-covered mountain, glistening streams, daunting cliffs and crashing waves…all were at their majestic visual best on Friday evening when the proud people of Curraun gathered for the official opening of their new community centre.
Appropriately named “Glór na dTonn”, The Glory of the Waves, the new centre was but a dream only two short years ago. Now it stands as a monument to quite remarkable community endeavour.
Minister of State, Pat The Cope Gallagher, was there to perform the official opening and the new centre was blessed by Archbishop Joseph Cassidy.
“Glór na dTonn” was first conceived in 1979 when a bank account was opened with a lodgement of £350. At the time the completion of such a magnificent centre with a final costing of more than £165,000 seemed light years away.
SPIRIT
But the start sparked the spirit of the local community and in the intervening years, and with the support of a number of FAS schemes, a pier was built, a football pitch was developed, the local school was renovated and car parking facilities at the church were provided.
With these projects behind them the community decided just over two years ago that the time had arrived for undertaking the community centre. Imbued with the spirit of self-help which characterised earlier projects they set about fund-raising and utilising the services of various agencies.
The first block was laid by Monsignor Willie Dever, a native of Currane, now ministering in Florida, and Monsignor Dever was back in his native place on Saturday for the official opening of the centre.
TRIBUTES Among the many people who paid glowing tributes to the work of the local committee (having earlier partaken of a sumptuous meal prepared by the ladies’ committee) were the Minister, Pat The Cope Gallagher; Archbishop Joseph Cassidy,
Deputy Seamus Hughes, Cllrs. Pat Kilbane and Michael Ring, Monsignor Dever, Beverly Cooper-Flynn. Fr. John Fallon and Fr. Peter Connolly who also doubled as ‘Fear A Ti.’
Duirt an chathaoirleach Padraig Ó Gallchobhair go raibh muintir a Chorrón, broduil agus mortasach as a méid a bhí deanta acu le cuig bliana anuas.
Sé sin Pairc Peile toghta ag mBuaille on Ghleanna, Pairc eile ag teach na scoile, car chlos le clai deas neata ag teach na phobaill., bail curtha ar chlos teach na scoile, an scoil é féin deisithe, go raibh leibh Aith an Aoil dhá oiread níos mo anois na cuig blian o shoin ach gur é tógáil “Glor na dTonn” (an ionod pobail) is mo a chuir bród orthu uilig.
“Tá ais bhrea againn a bheas mar lar ionad ag sean agus óg len ar dteanga, ar gcultúr agus an dulchas a bhain leis an ait a aithbheochan. Beidh fáilte anseo roimh muintir na N-Aite agus muintir an pharóiste.”
Monsignor William Dever laying the first block for the new Community Centre at Curraun, now in the course of construction. Monsignor Dever was joined by members of the development committee for the ceremony. PHOTO.: FRANK DOLAN.
AT A TIME when rural decay and the future of the West is such a live topic, the spirit and initiative shown by the different communities in the Curraun Peninsula would indicate that there are people who believe that the way forward is not by crying about these things but by taking positive action in their own areas and thereby ensuring the various state agencies will respond to their efforts.
In Tonragee, Owenduff, Polranny a development committee has put forward positive proposals for improving their area and they meet on a regular basis. A shellfish fishing co-operative has been formed. Share capital has been provided by twelve members, oysters have been planted in a joint venture with Udarás na Gaeltachta.
Belfarsad/Polrannv also have an active committee that has participated in a FAS scheme to improve parking facilities at Belfarsad church and further works are contemplated. Some individuals have also invested in shellfish farming. A plan to re-stock some of the lakes in the area along with improving better access has been put forward and an application for funding from EC structural funds has been made.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Since the beginning of the eighties many things have been achieved in the Curraun area. A fund-raising effort to build a community centre was initiated. A weekly bus service for Polranny, Belfarsad, Curraun, Doughbeg and Cushlecka was provided by Bus Eireann. A new pier and access was provided at Aith an Aoil. Work here was under the guidance of Mayo Co. Council and FAS with grant aid from Roinn na Gaeltachta. A football field was purchased and developed at Bollinglanna.
A FAS scheme sponsored by Udaras na Gaeltachta has carried out various works for the community. These include the provision of a car park at the church and the painting of same. Coffey contractors did much of the major works. This coincided with the contract for the public water supply provided by Mayo C.C. and the Dept. of the Environment for Curraun, Belfarsad and Polranny. It is hoped that the remaining extension of this scheme for Tonragee and Owenduff will be undertaken without any undue delay.
A new playing field was provided at Curraun school and major renovations and painting of Curraun school was done by voluntary effort in co-operation with the school management board.
Under the direction of Mayo C.C. and with assistance from Roinn na Gaeltachta and FAS further improvements are being carried out at Aith an Aoil. A new access road is planned.
MOST AMBITIOUS
However by far the most ambitious project undertaken by the local committee is the provision of a new community centre. The building is in the school grounds and is linked directly to the national school. The estimated cost of the work is £169,000. A maximum grant of £50,000 is being paid by Roinn na Gaeltachta. This is less than a third of estimated cost. This grant was forthcoming because of the fact that the committee had a substantial sum collected.
Monsignor William Dever laid the first block for the new centre. The building is now well on the way to completion but the heavy cost is going to place a tremendous burden on the community who have been most generous in their support of functions organised locally. However, they are heartened by the efforts and work of neighbouring communities in Mulranny, Ballycroy and Tiernaur in providing similar facilities in their own areas and also by the initiative of those who have done so much to provide the hospital in Keel. The task of completing this work will be difficult for the local community. It is hoped that there will be a generous response to a raffle which is organised for fund-raising when collectors go outside Curraun area in their fund-raising efforts.
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