Croaghs School

Croaghs NS is the first small building on the left of the road, giving an idea of its total isolation.

After the opening of Edeninfagh Chapel, 6/5/1905, a James Gallagher, Meenasrone, approached Doctor O' Donnell about the provision of a school for the Croaghs. As a result, Canon McFadden in 1907 arranged for the construction, and the school opened on 25/11/1907.

In the first week there were 37 pupils as follows:
17 girls ranging from 3-14 yrs
20 boys ranging from 5-15 yrs

Mrs Mary Kirke (nee Kennedy)

The unskilled labour was by voluntary effort; the stones were quarried on the lands of James Gallagher and Pat McGinley and carted by Patrick Gibbons, Dergroagh, Owen McLoone and Owen (Padraig) McLoone, Croveenanta and John Griffin, Derryloughan, was responsible for construction. A one hundred pound donation was personally delivered by Professor Una Ní Fhaircheallaigh, U.C.D., on behalf of the Gaelic League. Prior to this, there was no formal instrution for most of the residents although some pupils (McGarrigles, Dunnions and McGinleys) from Clogher East, Meenasrone and Glassydevitt attended Commeen, and one family, Dunnions (who stayed occasionally in McMonagles, Tievelough) attended Edeninfagh. Catechism instruction was imparted at night to the young by some who had attended school, including Mary McLoone (nee McGinley), Mary Dunnion (nee McMonagle, Tievough), in Meenasrone and Brigid Gibbins (nee McGinley), Dergroagh.

There was an average attendance of 25, ranging in ages from 15 to 51 years, for night classes conducted between 2/11/1910 and 11/3/1911. As well as the three Rs, instruction included Health and Habits on a Thursday night.

From 1929 to 1934 Margaret Gibbons from Collinstown Co. Westmeath taught in the school. She was a writer who knew many important people including Lord Longford. He donated a grant for a library in Croaghs school. It was probably one of the first Primary schools in the country to have a library.

The writer Seámus Mac Manus visited the school on a few occasions.

Teachers At Croaghs School.

Croaghs School closed in the summer of 1971 and the children there went to Commeen School.

Assistant teachers in Croaghs School included :-