* Schoolchildren and Principal Patricia Lee welcome President Catherine Connolly to their new school in Tubber. Photo by Tom Micks
TUBBER National School welcomed the President of Ireland as it celebrated its 150th birthday – while also unveiling its brand new, modern modular building.
President Catherine Connolly arrived in Tubber last Saturday afternoon to a chorus of ‘Beidh Aonach Amárach i gContae an Chláir’ from the school’s children, who along with teaching staff, the board of management and the wider local community, celebrated a day that will live long in the memory.
In what was described as a “monumental day” for Kilkeedy parish, President Connolly was praised for spending time with each of the school’s 40 pupils. “It was amazing for them to see a leader up close, having their voices heard and feeling valued, she was so natural with them,” school principal Patricia Lee told The Clare Echo.
Political dignitaries including local TDs and councillors were in attendance to witness the official school opening, however the two VIPs tasked with cutting the ribbon were John Taaffe, Tubber’s oldest living past pupil, along with Éala Rose Clancy, the youngest child enrolled at Tubber NS.
Following six years of planning, the three -teacher school finally received keys to the new school – designed and installed by Limerick-based company Modulacc – just in time for the new school year last September.
The greenfield site on which the new school sits was donated by the Parish, and gives the staff and children the space and facilities to match the dynamism of all involved at Tubber NS.
“The classrooms are double the size, we finally have a green area and basketball court and we have adequate space for the children internally and externally. It was very compact. We couldn’t be in the yard together, previously we would alternate break times. Staff wouldn’t see each other. In terms of wellbeing it’s huge to have this space,” Ms Lee said, noting that the school’s new playing field is also under development while they are running a fundraiser for a play area for our younger students.
More than 300 people were in attendance at last Saturday’s festivities, which began with a “walk down memory lane” at the old school across the road, with pictures down through the years on display. This was followed by Mass, led by chief celebrant Bishop Fintan Monahan.
Principal Patricia Lee, herself a native of Kilkeedy parish, has worked at Tubber National School for nearly 28 years. She was joined in celebrating the milestone by fellow staff including Michelle Davoren, Jane Kearney, Gráinne Ní Raghallaigh, along with Secretary Katie Curtis, SNA Joan Geraghty and caretaker Carmel Adams.
“We’re a small rural community and very much the schools are the beating heart of the community. They have a very important role. Down through the years we’ve had tremendous support from our community for everything and anything,” Ms Lee said in praising the community.
“Particularly this weekend, the sense of community when people gathered in great spirits to celebrate this historic milestone with the official opening of the new school and the 150th anniversary, it was phenomenal.”
At the mass, children sang a new song, to which the lyrics were written by teacher Jane Kearney especially for the celebration, The Heart of Tubber, to the air of Clare, My Heart My Home by Tim Collins. “I don’t think there was a dry eye in the place because it lists a lot of the townlands and areas important to the children and wider community,” noted Ms Lee.
“The ceremony was fabulous, it was in recognition of everyone that has served in our community, as a parent or past pupil or a member of the board of management.
“It was deeply emotive; it brought together past, present and future, they were all represented in a candle and everybody was there to honour the school’s rich heritage and looking forward to an exciting future.”
After the mass, the school plaque was unveiled by Bishop Fintan, which was designed by Irish Natural Stone. Speeches were then delivered by Joe Carmody, chairperson of the Board of Management, and Ms Lee, before the official opening was carried out by John Taaffe and Éala Rose Clancy.
When President Catherine Connolly arrived at 4:30pm, “celebrations really began again”. Ms Lee said, “We were truly honoured to welcome the president to our school and community, it was a day the children will remember for a very long time.”
The President was presented with a hurley made by Clancy hurls, local hurley makers. She was also given a Tubber jersey, “she is an honorary member, we said she can join the social camogie for mothers and others,” quipped Ms Lee.
The visit came about after children from Tubber NS wrote letters themselves inviting the president, “so it was incredibly special for them that their words turned into reality”.
The children sang Cailín na Gaillimhe for Galway native Connolly and presented her with a book the children had created on a local woodland Bunakippaun, which every child signed, and a Burren Pine, native to the area, donated by Burren Beo. She continued, “What stood out for us the most was how genuinely President Connolly engaged with every child. She gave so much time, it was incredible. Each child was given time to talk about their interests, school life and learning, it meant so much to them. The president listened to each and every one of them.”
Ms Lee added, “For the community it was monumental. We’re a small community and it brought everyone together. We’re so grateful to everyone who helped put this day together”.
All photographs by Tom Micks
