School History
Our present school was officially opened in 1940. In 1939, the building of a two-roomed school was sanctioned. The estimated cost was £1,915 and the Board of Works, who were in charge offered a grant of £1715. The local community contributed the other £200 and obtained a site. This present site was purchased from Mrs. W. Finney for £40. Tenders were sought and Mr. S. Robinson from Tynagh secured the contract. Work proceeded slowly due to the scarcity of supplies during World War II. However, the school was finished on 1st February, 1941. Two days later the school was opened. It was a low key affair. Fr. Nagle. P.P. blessed the school and celebrated Mass. The eventual cost was £2.036-17-11.
The two teachers at this time were Mr. And Mrs. Cogavin. Pupil numbers began to rise in the late 40s. A third teacher was sanctioned in 1950 with Michael O’Reilly securing the post.
An elaborate extension, an extra classroom, a shelter for the girls and a flush lavatory system was designed. Patrick Kelly, Ballinasloe, secured the contract. Work began in 1954 and finished the following year. During refurbishment, all classes were held in the Parish Hall. The cost was £3,757,-1-3., with a local contribution of £330. This opening was a grand occasion. It took place on Sunday 18th September, 1955. Bishop Philbin performed the ceremony, assisted by Fr. Hughes P.P. and Fr. O’Meara C.C.
The appointment of a fourth teacher in 1962, required the building of yet another classroom. This was built in 1965 at a cost of £3,857. The local contribution on this occasion was £385. Local man Michael Hoare was the contractor for this project.
A special building scheme for national schools was organised by the Department of Education in the early seventies. Lawrencetown had a general purposes room, kitchen and staff room added to the rear of the school. The general purposes room, as the name suggests had many functions. It was used as a lunch room, physical education hall or art room. It later served as a classroom when a fifth teacher was appointed for a period. It cost approximately £11,000 when it was built in 1975/76. The contractor for the scheme was Jim Shields.
The following article appeared in the Kiltormer News in September 1976:
The new all purpose room at Lawrencetown School was blessed by Fr. Walsh P.P. prior to celebrating Mass on Monday, 6th September. A large number of parents together with their children, management committee and teachers attended. The children on their first day were treated to a half day.
In June 1990 the school celebrated its Golden Jubilee. Present, past and future pupils joined together for a great day. Mass was concelebrated in Lawrencetown Church by Rev. Fr. M. Walsh P.P. and Fr. B. Kennedy C.C. Afterwards a plaque was unveiled by Fr. M. Walsh at the school, which was also presented by him. A book to commemorate this event “Reminiscence” was launched and proved to be a very popular publication. Michael Healy and John Downey compiled it.
In June 2000, the school was sanctioned a major refurbishment, thanks to the hard work of Cllr. James Joyce, principal at that time. Work commenced in August and was completed in January 2001. Again pupils returned to the Old School (Parish/Community Hall) for classes. New floors, plumbing, electrical work, tiling and painting was carried out. The total cost of this work was in excess of £200,000.
The two teachers at this time were Mr. And Mrs. Cogavin. Pupil numbers began to rise in the late 40s. A third teacher was sanctioned in 1950 with Michael O’Reilly securing the post.
An elaborate extension, an extra classroom, a shelter for the girls and a flush lavatory system was designed. Patrick Kelly, Ballinasloe, secured the contract. Work began in 1954 and finished the following year. During refurbishment, all classes were held in the Parish Hall. The cost was £3,757,-1-3., with a local contribution of £330. This opening was a grand occasion. It took place on Sunday 18th September, 1955. Bishop Philbin performed the ceremony, assisted by Fr. Hughes P.P. and Fr. O’Meara C.C.
The appointment of a fourth teacher in 1962, required the building of yet another classroom. This was built in 1965 at a cost of £3,857. The local contribution on this occasion was £385. Local man Michael Hoare was the contractor for this project.
A special building scheme for national schools was organised by the Department of Education in the early seventies. Lawrencetown had a general purposes room, kitchen and staff room added to the rear of the school. The general purposes room, as the name suggests had many functions. It was used as a lunch room, physical education hall or art room. It later served as a classroom when a fifth teacher was appointed for a period. It cost approximately £11,000 when it was built in 1975/76. The contractor for the scheme was Jim Shields.
The following article appeared in the Kiltormer News in September 1976:
The new all purpose room at Lawrencetown School was blessed by Fr. Walsh P.P. prior to celebrating Mass on Monday, 6th September. A large number of parents together with their children, management committee and teachers attended. The children on their first day were treated to a half day.
In June 1990 the school celebrated its Golden Jubilee. Present, past and future pupils joined together for a great day. Mass was concelebrated in Lawrencetown Church by Rev. Fr. M. Walsh P.P. and Fr. B. Kennedy C.C. Afterwards a plaque was unveiled by Fr. M. Walsh at the school, which was also presented by him. A book to commemorate this event “Reminiscence” was launched and proved to be a very popular publication. Michael Healy and John Downey compiled it.
In June 2000, the school was sanctioned a major refurbishment, thanks to the hard work of Cllr. James Joyce, principal at that time. Work commenced in August and was completed in January 2001. Again pupils returned to the Old School (Parish/Community Hall) for classes. New floors, plumbing, electrical work, tiling and painting was carried out. The total cost of this work was in excess of £200,000.
