Offaly school to celebrate 50 years of historic amalgamation

CALLING all past pupils and families from the Shinrone/Ballingarry area!

Shinrone National School will celebrate 50 years of the new school in Shinrone and its amalgamation with the Pike school on November 15^th next!

Planning for this momentous occasion began last May. A dedicated committee was established to produce a commemorative book for the occasion. Other committees were set up to prepare the Mass and to organise the celebration. We believe that no stone has been left unturned in our preparations!

We launched our 50^th anniversary with a whole school visit to Knockshegowna Hill on September 23^rd last. The entire school climbed the hill and listened intently as the legend of Knockshegowna was told by former Principal Joe Cleary. The children sat in awe on the hilltop, listening to the magical tale of the fairies in this historic place. We shared a picnic on this beautiful Autumn day and took in the view of seven counties from the top. Definitely a day to remember for our entire school community! Many thanks to the Kenny family for granting us permission to climb Knockshegowna Hill.

For the past two months in school, the children have been busy working on history projects, art work, singing, etc all leading us towards this special date. The build-up has been busy, but enjoyable.

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All we need now is YOU!

On November 15th we are planning a celebration to remember!

Our celebration will begin with a Mass in St Mary's Church in Shinrone celebrated by our Patron, Bishop Fintan Monahan at 3pm, in gratitude for the past 50 years and praying for blessings of many more years of learning to come.

After the Mass, everyone is invited down to the school where we will firstly plant a ceremonial tree and then bury a Time Capsule to mark this important event.

Refreshments will be provided at the school for our guests as they browse through the classrooms looking at the work the children have created over the past few weeks. We hope you will enjoy looking at old photographs, reconnecting with old friends and celebrating with our current pupils.

After that, entertainment has been organised in the Community Centre across the road (from 6.30 pm approx) for all our guests! We are very lucky to have former students with amazing talent, ready to sing and play for you as you continue to travel down Memory Lane. Thank you to James McKelvey, Ashling Rafferty, Lauren Murphy, Ruairí O’Shea, Mark Guinan, James Morkan & Ronan Dockery who will perform for us and get the party started. We will also have some delicious food provided by Pauline Loughnane.

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Finally, more music and entertainment will be available in Spain’s Pub, thanks to

Hilda and Tom. You’re also welcome to The Castle Bar, thanks to John and Tanya. To help us to organise catering for the event we are asking people to register for this free event: https://50thAnniversaryShinroneNS.eventbrite.ie

Those who wish to pre-order our commemorative book ‘50 Bliain ag Fás – Shinrone NS and Pike NS’, may do so by clicking on the link → https://buy.stripe.com/6oU14pcd4eAu1Fp2nx9sk00

This beautifully produced book is filled with photographs, memories, and reflections from past and present pupils, teachers and families — including special stories from former pupils of Pike NS before the amalgamation in 1975. It captures the heart of school life across the decades and celebrates the community that helped our school grow and thrive.

Our book retails at €20 and is a keepsake for every household and a perfect gift for anyone connected to our school. We can also accept cash payments through the school. Please contact the office on (0505) 47223 (mornings only). This book will also be for sale on the November 15^th in the school.

Spread the Word –Shinrone National School is 50 years old and we want you to celebrate with us!

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