171 year old Church of Ireland School in Mallow, Co Cork Closes Due to Lack of Space

On Wednesday, 25th June, 2014 past-pupils, past principals, past parents, past board members, parishioners, together with the school patron, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, joined the current school community (all 18 nationalities from many religious groupings and none) at Mallow (No. 1) National School for the closure of the school. It is the oldest school in the town of Mallow and had grown to 63 pupils in recent years.

The tiny school site (one-third of an acre) could no longer accommodate a school community of that size safely or creatively. Under the programme of diversification of patronages, the Department of Education and Skills had allocated a new community national school in Mallow to the Cork Education and Training Board and had also, therefore, indicated that it would not be possible to give the Church of Ireland community a new school building. The school and parish community, therefore, took the courageous and visionary step of investing its future in the new CETB school.

The last day at the school was one of looking back with thanksgiving as well as naturally some sadness, but also looking forward to the new beginning in the new school. Here is a gallery of photos of the day:

: Sixth Class with school principal Mary O’Riordain await the arrival of the Bishop

: Canon Eithne Lynch and the Bishop arrive at the school

: Bishop Colton is welcomed by sixth class

: After 171 years – the last school photo at Mallow (No.1) National School

: Canon Eithne Lynch, Bishop Colton and the principal, Mary O’Riordain get ready to lead the children through the town of Mallow to St James’ Church

: A piper leads the way

: Leaving the old school following the ringing of the school bell there for the last time. The school was founded in 1843 and this building built in 1881