.Betty and Joan (written in alphabetical order) arrived Sunday 13th September at 17.14 hours. Always delighted by such a visit, I soon became aware that it was the 13th; they had come to ask me to write many lines for the Booklet you read this in.
Where to begin? - at the beginning - an intelligent thought.
After almost 43 years in the Stonebridge area of Kilmore parish, I got to know the priests of the parish fairly well, better than others, with the exception of a few like Mary McEddie, Edwin's parents, Paddy and some others. All these are dead. It's likely, therefore, that references to priests will occupy most of these lines - a dangerous path to tread! They will, not necessarily, appear in chronological order. Here goes:
I took up duty 3rd April '39. The following October when Fr Donnelly R.I.P. became P.P. of Moneymore Fr. Mahon R.I.P. came to Stonebridge. That was the era of weekly meetings when I began to query the value of such gatherings. A meeting was a brief affair for few spoke until the meeting was over and Father, invariably, had an appointment with the Bishop. This impressed us immensely. How different attitudes are today. I enquired surreptitiously what an American tea was. I've forgotten now. Whist drives were all the go. From these we made enough money not to let the old school dilapidate.
As I told you in the 1971 bi-centenary booklet the new school was to be built in 1940 but the war intervened and the new school was shelved. A lorry driver stopped one day to enquire the way and the look he gave me, appearing at the door, the only door, made me feel ashamed to be a teacher. He thought the building, with two un-curtained windows, was a dwelling. I directed him on his way to civilization.
Fr. McManus, following in the footsteps of Moses and his followers, was a tent-erecter. For three years in succession a Marquee was pitched in Keegan's field and crowds flocked to the sound of music to dance. There was no golden calf but the bag of green backs and silver was just as attractive to some of us.

Then there was Fr. Devlin. I think it was in his time that a shilling a week contribution to the funds entitled you to a chance for a prize of five pounds - quite a handsome prize in those days for the majority who were not "apple men” Fr. Sweeney took a keen interest in the children. His talents were soon recognised and the young people of the area were kept happy and occupied in rehearsals for such shows as 'The Black and White Minstrels'. Though not begrudging the Stonebridge children the joy they got in their activities I often thought that father's talents could have been better employed in a town parish where more children would have benefited and it would hove been more rewarding for him.
Father Shields, now Canon, who was with us but a short time, regarded the school as a school in deference to his better judgement. His pastoral duties occupied his time and when he left we knew that a priest had gone.
Padraig Pearse begins his story 'Iosagan' 'Fear Ann Fein a ba e'. This I couldn't translate, after a short time at Irish, to make sense. It meant, I was told, 'a man apart was he'. The same might he said about my present P.P. in Ballymacnab 'Fear ann fein 'se an t-Ath Pol McSeain'. He proved that in Stonebridge in the fifties. Why wait for a new school, off comes the coat. The school was extended over the drain separating Ballyhegan and Annahugh and while I taught at Annahugh, the class sat absorbed, in every word that came from me, in Ballyhegan.
This was the time for Drama, Films, Pageant, and other fund-raising events, and the income, though never revealed, must have paid for the extension, the stage, the dimmers, spotlights and the bus seats. Drama flourished and we travelled to less intellectual sites. All, except the immigrants and we have had many since the fifties, will remember Paddy R.I.P. John, disabled physically but certainly not mentally and happier than most, Johnnie R.I.P., Annie, still tripping the light fantastic. I came across 'The Sorrows of Joshua' recently which was performed 2.12.54. The cast included Paddy, Annie, John and Johnnie mentioned above. An t-Ath Pol hounded me then especially. Fridays, after school, desks etc out bus seats in. Monday morning the
Action in reverse. What a fright I got when I heard he had followed me to Ballymacnab but. . .
Oh, yes, there was Fr. Coyle, now Canon, the second of our Curates for double promotion. We gave the Curates a severe training and see where it has got them. Imagine telling the world that this same Canon rode my new Elswick bicycle round the school, indoors and that he could hit you such a wallop in the chest or even stomach. How have I lived so long?
How could I forget Fr. McOscar whom I certainly recommend for promotion. By no means an Ayatollah, but quiet and unassuming. He was interested in Drama and wrote an ending to "All the King's Horses', not then published. An excellent job he made of it too.
Last but by no means least of the Curates I remember is Fr. Campbell. He could speak Chinese and was in jail! He revived the Drama, Professor Tim, "The New Gasoon" "The Far-off Hills", "The Cobweb's Glory" etc. The last promotion, "The Hiker", he didn't get to see himself. Again we travelled taking home fistfuls of money and recently quite a decent sum was handed over for the building fund by the Drama club's secretary, treasurer, prompter, gatherer-up of props, telephonist, taxi-driver etc. - Betty.
It was during Fr. Campbell's curacy that we moved from the old school. Further into the depths of Annahugh. Oh, how I've travelled in my time - it must be almost half a mile from the old to the new.
It was Fr. Donaghy, even though unwell, who put all his energy into getting the ball rolling. A four-roomed school approved by the Dept. and later turned down by the same Dept. held things up and a new 3-roomed school had to be planned. Ironic as next September it is likely that a fourth teacher will be sanctioned to take up duty -September 82. Fr. Donaghy did not live to see the new school. It fell to the lot of Fr. Lenny P.P. to resolve the remaining problems. He was so glad for the children's sake to see the end of the old which he had often visited. Then to our great delight he was consecrated Bishop. Everyone was so proud - it was as if we had had a hand in it. The new school was open then. I made good use of the fact that the Chairman of the Management Committee was a Bishop, when requesting anything in the S.E.LB. offices. I made sure to mention the Bishop and to add some weight, if weight were needed. Canon, now Archdeacon Gowing, Mullavilly, the Board's appointee on the Committee. These names slipped out on purpose. The experience I had on the stage stood me in good stead. Request granted.
The Bishop had been off ill and was back to Mullavilly. He called into school. I can see him and hear his words as plainly today as then. Later that day he fell in the fire while burning papers outdoors. I didn't see him again. One doesn't need to pray for him but one does just in case.
Fr. McKeone succeeded the Bishop. He has undertaken the task of renovating Stonebridge Church, something that was due many years ago. We wish him success in the task of paying off thousands in these Thatcher days! I hope he has long ago had occasion to recognise the proverbial generosity of the people of this parish. Just a pity the apple crop is not of the highest standard this year.
I haven't mentioned Fr. O'Connor P.P. a crossword fanatic and wizard at the game. I
personally have fond memories of this one time genius.
Just one more priest to mention - I find it easier to speak of the dead than the living. There's no come-back from the former, danger of libel action from the latter!.
This priest filled me with trepidation when he called every second year for the religious exam - Fr. Clifford. Apart from his parochial duties he is appointed by the Cardinal to meet with members of other churches. I suppose you could say this is to do with ecumenism. No one is more fitted for the job. I could have picked a row with some, at least of the Parish Priests and Curates of the past. I didn't. I don't think I could with Fr. Clifford. Must try! Being an expert Catechist he is an asset to the school and in his quiet way it is remarkable how he can hold the children's attention. May he remain in the parish a very long time. We have, at length, reached the new school, St. Oliver Plunkett's, opened as a seat of learning September '75. Let's take a peep inside and view the three classrooms, cloak space, indoor toilets, staff room, quiet room, meals kitchen, assembly room, loads of equipment, painted August '81 and looking more beautiful than ever and to think that this should be my final year, and the prospect of an easier year beginning September '82 with 2 classes instead of 3 at present
This time next year I hope to look back not so much to the new school, I suppose because it's so recent but to the old, where in spite of the disadvantages, I spent 36 of the happiest years of my life.


Joseph Rafferty

A Schoolmaster's Memories 1981

.Betty and Joan (written in alphabetical order) arrived Sunday 13th September at 17.14 hours. Always delighted by such a visit, I soon became aware that it was the 13th; they had come to ask me to write many lines for the Booklet you read this in.
Where to begin? - at the beginning - an intelligent thought.
After almost 43 years in the Stonebridge area of Kilmore parish, I got to know the priests of the parish fairly well, better than others, with the exception of a few like Mary McEddie, Edwin's parents, Paddy and some others. All these are dead. It's likely, therefore, that references to priests will occupy most of these lines - a dangerous path to tread! They will, not necessarily, appear in chronological order. Here goes:
I took up duty 3rd April '39. The following October when Fr Donnelly R.I.P. became P.P. of Moneymore Fr. Mahon R.I.P. came to Stonebridge. That was the era of weekly meetings when I began to query the value of such gatherings. A meeting was a brief affair for few spoke until the meeting was over and Father, invariably, had an appointment with the Bishop. This impressed us immensely. How different attitudes are today. I enquired surreptitiously what an American tea was. I've forgotten now. Whist drives were all the go. From these we made enough money not to let the old school dilapidate.
As I told you in the 1971 bi-centenary booklet the new school was to be built in 1940 but the war intervened and the new school was shelved. A lorry driver stopped one day to enquire the way and the look he gave me, appearing at the door, the only door, made me feel ashamed to be a teacher. He thought the building, with two un-curtained windows, was a dwelling. I directed him on his way to civilization.
Fr. McManus, following in the footsteps of Moses and his followers, was a tent-erecter. For three years in succession a Marquee was pitched in Keegan's field and crowds flocked to the sound of music to dance. There was no golden calf but the bag of green backs and silver was just as attractive to some of us.

Then there was Fr. Devlin. I think it was in his time that a shilling a week contribution to the funds entitled you to a chance for a prize of five pounds - quite a handsome prize in those days for the majority who were not "apple men” Fr. Sweeney took a keen interest in the children. His talents were soon recognised and the young people of the area were kept happy and occupied in rehearsals for such shows as 'The Black and White Minstrels'. Though not begrudging the Stonebridge children the joy they got in their activities I often thought that father's talents could have been better employed in a town parish where more children would have benefited and it would hove been more rewarding for him.
Father Shields, now Canon, who was with us but a short time, regarded the school as a school in deference to his better judgement. His pastoral duties occupied his time and when he left we knew that a priest had gone.
Padraig Pearse begins his story 'Iosagan' 'Fear Ann Fein a ba e'. This I couldn't translate, after a short time at Irish, to make sense. It meant, I was told, 'a man apart was he'. The same might he said about my present P.P. in Ballymacnab 'Fear ann fein 'se an t-Ath Pol McSeain'. He proved that in Stonebridge in the fifties. Why wait for a new school, off comes the coat. The school was extended over the drain separating Ballyhegan and Annahugh and while I taught at Annahugh, the class sat absorbed, in every word that came from me, in Ballyhegan.
This was the time for Drama, Films, Pageant, and other fund-raising events, and the income, though never revealed, must have paid for the extension, the stage, the dimmers, spotlights and the bus seats. Drama flourished and we travelled to less intellectual sites. All, except the immigrants and we have had many since the fifties, will remember Paddy R.I.P. John, disabled physically but certainly not mentally and happier than most, Johnnie R.I.P., Annie, still tripping the light fantastic. I came across 'The Sorrows of Joshua' recently which was performed 2.12.54. The cast included Paddy, Annie, John and Johnnie mentioned above. An t-Ath Pol hounded me then especially. Fridays, after school, desks etc out bus seats in. Monday morning the
Action in reverse. What a fright I got when I heard he had followed me to Ballymacnab but. . .
Oh, yes, there was Fr. Coyle, now Canon, the second of our Curates for double promotion. We gave the Curates a severe training and see where it has got them. Imagine telling the world that this same Canon rode my new Elswick bicycle round the school, indoors and that he could hit you such a wallop in the chest or even stomach. How have I lived so long?
How could I forget Fr. McOscar whom I certainly recommend for promotion. By no means an Ayatollah, but quiet and unassuming. He was interested in Drama and wrote an ending to "All the King's Horses', not then published. An excellent job he made of it too.
Last but by no means least of the Curates I remember is Fr. Campbell. He could speak Chinese and was in jail! He revived the Drama, Professor Tim, "The New Gasoon" "The Far-off Hills", "The Cobweb's Glory" etc. The last promotion, "The Hiker", he didn't get to see himself. Again we travelled taking home fistfuls of money and recently quite a decent sum was handed over for the building fund by the Drama club's secretary, treasurer, prompter, gatherer-up of props, telephonist, taxi-driver etc. - Betty.
It was during Fr. Campbell's curacy that we moved from the old school. Further into the depths of Annahugh. Oh, how I've travelled in my time - it must be almost half a mile from the old to the new.
It was Fr. Donaghy, even though unwell, who put all his energy into getting the ball rolling. A four-roomed school approved by the Dept. and later turned down by the same Dept. held things up and a new 3-roomed school had to be planned. Ironic as next September it is likely that a fourth teacher will be sanctioned to take up duty -September 82. Fr. Donaghy did not live to see the new school. It fell to the lot of Fr. Lenny P.P. to resolve the remaining problems. He was so glad for the children's sake to see the end of the old which he had often visited. Then to our great delight he was consecrated Bishop. Everyone was so proud - it was as if we had had a hand in it. The new school was open then. I made good use of the fact that the Chairman of the Management Committee was a Bishop, when requesting anything in the S.E.LB. offices. I made sure to mention the Bishop and to add some weight, if weight were needed. Canon, now Archdeacon Gowing, Mullavilly, the Board's appointee on the Committee. These names slipped out on purpose. The experience I had on the stage stood me in good stead. Request granted.
The Bishop had been off ill and was back to Mullavilly. He called into school. I can see him and hear his words as plainly today as then. Later that day he fell in the fire while burning papers outdoors. I didn't see him again. One doesn't need to pray for him but one does just in case.
Fr. McKeone succeeded the Bishop. He has undertaken the task of renovating Stonebridge Church, something that was due many years ago. We wish him success in the task of paying off thousands in these Thatcher days! I hope he has long ago had occasion to recognise the proverbial generosity of the people of this parish. Just a pity the apple crop is not of the highest standard this year.
I haven't mentioned Fr. O'Connor P.P. a crossword fanatic and wizard at the game. I
personally have fond memories of this one time genius.
Just one more priest to mention - I find it easier to speak of the dead than the living. There's no come-back from the former, danger of libel action from the latter!.
This priest filled me with trepidation when he called every second year for the religious exam - Fr. Clifford. Apart from his parochial duties he is appointed by the Cardinal to meet with members of other churches. I suppose you could say this is to do with ecumenism. No one is more fitted for the job. I could have picked a row with some, at least of the Parish Priests and Curates of the past. I didn't. I don't think I could with Fr. Clifford. Must try! Being an expert Catechist he is an asset to the school and in his quiet way it is remarkable how he can hold the children's attention. May he remain in the parish a very long time. We have, at length, reached the new school, St. Oliver Plunkett's, opened as a seat of learning September '75. Let's take a peep inside and view the three classrooms, cloak space, indoor toilets, staff room, quiet room, meals kitchen, assembly room, loads of equipment, painted August '81 and looking more beautiful than ever and to think that this should be my final year, and the prospect of an easier year beginning September '82 with 2 classes instead of 3 at present
This time next year I hope to look back not so much to the new school, I suppose because it's so recent but to the old, where in spite of the disadvantages, I spent 36 of the happiest years of my life.


Joseph Rafferty