Antique RARE 1920s Kilrane National School PITCH PINE + CAST IRON Desk.

RARE, acquired (saved and stored) in the 1980s during the closure of the Technical School Kilrane adjacent to the National School, As pupil numbers rose rapidly during the late 1980’s and into the 1990’s classrooms were used in the adjacent Technical School to facilitate pupils from the new school. *HEAVY thick PITCH PINE with a CAST IRON base (foot) designed to seat two. This was NOT made yesterday! Antique in age c1920s. AVAIL QUICK!

There had been a school at Kilrane for many years. As far back as 1834 a day school was run there by Patrick O’Brien. It had 19 male and seven female pupils for most of the year but in summer the number attending rose to 50. Fees ranged from two shillings (10p) to seven shillings (35p) per quarter. The subjects for boys were reading, writing, arithmetic, mensuration, and book-keeping. The girls were confined to reading, writing and arithmetic. Roman Catholic catechism was taught to boys and girls.

First records for Kilrane School date from 1862. The occupations of the fathers of the children were almost all either farming or labouring. In the late 1870s, as the harbour development began, the occupations of the fathers began to change. A diver’s daughter, Anty Duggan of Ballygeary, enrolled in 1874. A railway overseer’s child, Minnie Barrett of Kilrane, joined in 1880. Afterwards the number of children of harbour and railway employees increased steadily.

In 1913 a meeting was held at Rosslare Harbour to campaign for a new school in the area. Mr. M. Costello presided. The committee elected was M. Costello. T. Ryan, M. Dawson, M. Moroney, T. Martley, S. Callaghan and E.V. White. The Kilrane teachers then were Miss Bridie Roche of Wexford, who afterwards married Paul Roche, manager of People Newspapers, Wexford: and Miss McLean, who was succeeded shortly afterwards by Miss Margaret Leacy of Wexford. On Sunday afternoons religious instruction was given in the school by Fr. French. Mrs. Roche was the principal and there were about 60 pupils.

In 1852 the school was accepted into the state system. On the day of inspection there was nearly a full attendance of 38. The school was situated in what is now the car park of Kilrane Church. On the 9th of April 1923 a new school was opened. The site was bought for one shilling from Mr O’Hagan. Local stone from St. Helens was used for construction. At this stage there were four teachers and two schools (Infants, girls, and boys) The schools were amalgamated in 1928. The most famous teacher was Mr Jim Byrne who won four All Ireland football medals for Wexford (1914-1918) He was principal from 1919-1958. Mr Tom Forde succeeded him from 1958 to 1960. Mr Jim Begley succeeded Tom Forde in 1960. At this time there was an enrolment of 119. The present school was built in 1980 at a cost of £170,000.

SIZE IN INCHES: 40” x 25 x 27 - HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE.

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