This being the time of the year when the children start school or go back to school, it prompts memories of our own days behind the desk, ‘the happiest days of our life’ as they are referred to.
Most people remember their school years with affection, the days of chalk and blackboard, the odd teacher having a ‘set’ on you, the odd teacher inspiring you, making lifelong friendships, getting ‘slogs’ or other forms of punishment, trying to fool the múinteóir, teacher’s nicknames, an tuiseal ginideach, the school play, the games in the yard, the games on the pitch, the glantóir, the countdown to the holidays, Peig, “Tá tú deireannach, sian amach do lámh,” “The dog ate my homework,” how exciting the new school books looked in early September, the last bell on a Friday afternoon.
Our photograph today is of fifth class in St Patrick’s National School in 1960.
They are, seated: Denis Brophy, Brendan Howard, Frank Berry, Donald McDonald, Gerry Small, Paddy Murphy, Colie Anderson, Alan Conneely. Second row: Patsy Trill, Paschal Fallon, Michael Mooney, John Lowery, Jimmy Smith, Michael McDonagh, Pat Greaney, Leo Kelly, Gerard Murray, John Kelly, Brendan Shaughnessy, Paul McDonagh. Third row: Brother Finbarr, Vincent Joyce, John Mitchell, Frank Hutton, Martin Irwin, Eddy Keane, Josie Gallagher, Adrian Reid, James O’Boyle, John Gillan, Paddy Walsh, George ----. Fourth row: John Lee, John Glynn, Eamonn Walsh, Kevin O’Byrne, Val Carr, John Wade, Neil Warner, Kevin Fahy, Lawrence Morahan. Fifth row: John Glynn, Greg Little, Mike Dooley, Anthony Mulhern, Michael Murray, Michael McMahon, Padraig Hynes, Paddy Tummon, Arthur Quinlan, Gerard Raftery.
A word of congratulations to the school for the wonderful art project that became a large mural on the side wall facing Bridge Street, a quintessential Galway image for a quintessential Galway school.
Our photograph and information comes from The History of St Patrick’s School 1954 – 2004, compiled by Brother Niall Coll, a wonderful collection of memories for any past pupil.
