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Prizon School
Prison school was a school which once existed in Co. Mayo in a townland called Prison East which lies between Balla and Manulla. It was opened it doors in 1850 and was closed in 1970. The school had educated many children from the surrounding areas of Balla Town.
For a short time, the old schoolhouse was used for social events such as Bingo and local dances. Now the school building remains used only opening for the odd reunion of the past pupils. Many of the people connected to the school have passed on. This site was created to give Prison (also spelt Prizon) school it digital footprint and celebrate the past pupils, teachers and locals involved in the school.
Many of the past pupils have left us including some of those that have contributed stories we have.
This is dedicated to those that have left us. Although they may have left us, their voices and memories are still with us.
Go raibh míle maith agat!
The collection of 1938
There was a large project undertaken on by Dúchas © National Folklore Collection, UCD. This a compiled collection of stories, traditions, culture and history written by pupils and teachers of the schools of Ireland. With the goal to help preserve Irish History and Culture. We have compiled those stories from Prizon school and presented them in a blog style for you to read at your pleasure. We hope enjoy reading these stories.
Extract from the exercise book of teacher Mary Doherty. Dúchis.ie
Artist impression of old school built in 1850’s
“The other school Gardens continue to work with fair efficiency, especially that in the connexion (connection) with Prizon national school near Balla, Co. Mayo, which is man-aged in a most creditable manner and cannot fail to exercise a most salutary effect in improving the tastes and habits, as well as the industrial knowledge of the pupils.”
Past pupils
Every 12 year years the former pupils reunite to remember the good old days gone past. We have been lucky enough to have a collection of some of the stories told by them. These can be considered eyewitness accounts of history by the local people. Some with funny tales of their life in school we have also manged to gather some photos to go with these stories. Join us in reading about the times gone past.
Remembered Joy
“
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free!
I follow the plan God laid for me.
I saw His face, I heard His call,
I took His hand and left it all…
I could not stay another day,
To love, to laugh, to work or play;
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
And if my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss…
Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss.
My life’s been full, I’ve savoured much:
Good times, good friends, a loved-one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief –
Don’t shorten yours with undue grief.
Be not burdened with tears of sorrow,
Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow.”
Source: Ireland-calling
Priests
Priests would often have helped in the running of schools. Here are some of the priests associated with Prison school.
Fr. P Nolan
Very Rev. Thomas J reidy
Fr. Gibbs
Fr J.p. Jennings
Fr McDermott
Some of the older pupils would remember Rev Fr. Reidy, calling regularly to the school.
" He would cycle from Balla and he would sometimes have his three dogs with him, and he was often accompanied by Pat Summers. On the day of the holidays he would usually have apples for the pupils.. ."
Teachers
There have been a number of teachers over the years here are some of the names of the teachers that have taught in Prison school.
Edward Colgan
Bridget Colgan
Miss Doherty
Miss Glynn
Thomas Keville
Ann Duggan (nee Jeffers)
Claire Finan
Miss Doherty
Miss Glynn
Keeping our culture alive
We aim to collect and preserve the local history of Prizon School and surrounding areas. To reminisce and celebrate our history and culture for future generations.
“This website could not have been done without the help and dedication of so many people. From locals to former teachers and of course the pupils of Prizon school that have kept the story of Prizon school alive. I created the site to preserve the the history of the school and some of the local areas of Balla and Manulla . My father was a former pupil along with his family went to Prizon school so this is also part of my own family history.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS HELPED AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE HISTORY OF PRIZON SCHOOL. ”
Teachers
Original School
Edward Colgan
Bridget Colgan
Carlos
Tom Walshe
Henry Curry of Bellcarra
William Keely and his sister 1867
Henry Curry of Bellcarra
William Keely and his sister 1867
From 1937
Lily Glynn
Miss Dohrerty
Mrs Duggan - Ann Duggan (nee Jeffers)
Thomas Keville
Mrs Finan
Ann Duggan (nee Jeffers)
Contributors of School Reunion Books
Nicholas Ruane
Gina Gaughan - nee Lyons.
Paddy Moran
Aggie Reilly
Every 12 years former pupils of the school have met up and joined in remembering their go old days and fond memories. These books were the start of this website. Since the creation of this site many of the people that have included their stories have passed on to greener pastures. Thank you for sharing your memories .
From the school collection of 1938
Contributors
Collector
Mary Kate Kelly
Collector
Jimmie Adams
COLLECTOR
Mary A. O' Doherty
Collector
May Adams
Collector
Annie Corcoran
Collector
Rita Corcoran
Collector
Joe Mc Intyre
Collector
Annie Kearns
Collector
Margaret Kearns
Collector
Teresa Kelly
Informants from 1938
Informant Age
May Adams 40
Mr Tom Adams 45
James Connor
Martin Corcoran 35
Mrs Corcoran 33
Mr Duffy 50
Ellen Kearns 40
Michael Kearns 50
Mrs Kearns 40
Thomas Kearns 42
Thomas Kearns 86
Informant Age
Edward Kelly 80
John Kelly 50
Mrs Kelly 70
Ned Kelly 70
Mary Mc Donnell 75
James Mc Intyre 60
Mrs Mc Nicholas 40
Beesie Reilly 40
Edward Reilly 41
Martin Reilly 67
Patrick Reilly 87
Informant Age
Mr Wiliam Ruane 50
Mrs Adams 40
Mrs Adams 32
Tom Adams 47
Martin Ansbro 74
Martin Ansbro 74
Patsy Ansbro 84
Edward Bourke 55
Mr Corcoran 35
Mrs Corcoran 32
Mrs Kearns 40
Informant Age
Annie Kelly
Ellen Kelly 70
John Kelly
Mrs Kelly 45
Margaret Kennedy 76
Michael Kennedy 48
Mrs Kennedy 48
Michael Kennedy 35
John Mac Nicholas 50
Mary Mc Donnell 76
John Murphy 50
Informant Age
Thomas Murphy
Michael Reilly 79
Mr Reilly 42
Mrs Reilly 40
Patrick Reilly
Patrick Reilly 88
Thomas Reilly 42
Mrs Ruane 47
William Ruane 48
Mrs Adams 33
Mr Coyle 57
Also a very special thanks to all who have helped us out with the gathering of information and stories.
Also To the family descendants of Edward Colgan & Bridget Colgan, and past pupils of the school that have passed on their stories to us.
““May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of
Saint Patrick behold you.””
WANT TO TELL YOUR STORY
Do you want to volunteer ?
we are always looking for great stories from the past. Celebrate our history and culture. If you know of any stories about your family growing up why not share it with us.
Contact Us
We can always do with support from others.
If you have a story to share with us.
A photo to share.
Let us know. We can always do with more content to keep these memories alive.
If you have a photo to share we will be happy to try our best to restore the photo.
You can scan the photo and send a digital copy.
Send a copy of your photo
Take a photo using your phone.
You can also send us a message through Facebook or simple send us a message on Twitter, if you wish.
Please be patient with us we will try our best to get in touch as soon as possible.
The objective of the project is to initiate the digitization of the National Folklore Collection (NFC) so that:
(i) the public has online access to material from the Collection and
(ii) a data management system is available for NFC to which other material can be added in the future.
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Growing up in Prizon school.
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Here we have combined a number of stories that will help you appreciate and enjoy what it was like to attend Prizon school. Read about some of the subjects that have been taught in Prizon. What school was like in the 1800's right through the year up to the closure of Prizon school.
Class of 1960
Class of 1969
Class of 1933/34
Class of 1950
Class of 1964
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Tradtional living
Far from the luxuries of today, country life in Ireland was rich in traditions and crafts. Discover the old ways of life, old traditions around festivals and social events. What it was like to life in the country back in the day.
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CURES
The country side has always been a great source of natural treatments to many ailments. We has managed to find some of those treatment preserved in time by the pupils of 1938.
Some of these treatment maybe still used to this day and some you would never want to try.
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Customs
Ireland has always been a place of many customs some unique to certain areas of Ireland and customs used throughout the country. Many of these customs have still survived over the years and some have died away.
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Earlist Records
Scoil Gleann an Dúin (Glen school on the hill)
Read how Prizon school came about from a hedge school to a school house.
EARLIEST RECORDS
Prizon school opened it doors first in 1850 from what we can tell from our records. This means that Prizon school was amongst the first few schools that opened under the first national education system in modern times. Both Girls and boys attended the school. The original school was replace by a second school house in 1937 on the same land as the original. It is estimated that over 7,000 pupils attended this school over the 120 years the school was in operation.
Location of original school -Click here to see old OS maps
Artist imprssion of original school house
The story of the beginning of education in Ireland. .
Copies of the letter of application for the forming of Prizon school.
By Gina Gaughan, nee Lyons.- reunion booklet 2002
Artist impression of School house build in 1937
Eighty years ago, people used to put eight rushes together and steep them in grease which they got out of fried beef fat
INFORMANT Patrick Reilly; male, Age; 87, Prison North, Co. Mayo