2017 marked the 50th anniversary of the building of Scoil Naomh Pádraig in Knocknasna, Abbeyfeale.
To mark the occasion, management, staff, parents and students had worked together over the last twelve months to compile a picture book.
They launched the book and cut a cake as part of the pre-Christmas holidays celebrations at the school.
The Role of the School
The book consists of one page of print outlining the role of the school in the heart of its community. The foreword was written by parent and former teacher, Ita Barrett.
The other forty pages or so are solely pictures that were taken over the past fifty years.
A Picture of Interest
A picture of particular interest in the book is that of Seán Harnett with the students when the school was being built.
Seán made a generous donation the time the school was being built to ensure an extra building was added.
“Seán was a past pupil of the old school who had made his fortune abroad in construction. Ironically, fifty years on, a new preschool was opened in that extra building this year – Little Buddies Preschool,” said teacher Bill Quirke.
Shop Cross and Horan’s Cross
“On the day of the Christmas holidays the road between the Shop Cross and Horan’s Cross was lined with traffic as young and old from the Knocknasna, Purt and Kilmorna communities came in their droves to get a copy of the book.
“All present were entertained with music, song, dance, poetry and drama by both the preschool children and the primary school students.
“Cllr. Liam Galvin launched the book with Ita Barret and Ita O Connor – a sister of the late Seán Harnet.
Cut the Cake
“After the launch the student council cut the cake and the book went on sale.
The boys and girls along with their siblings, parents, grandparents, friends, neighbours and teacher all enjoyed the day,” said Mr. Quirke.
Only a few copies for the book remain and these can be sourced from: Anne Lyons at the Sweet Shop, Abbeyfeale or by contacting the school at: 087 96 01 506.
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