A two classroom school - one redundant at this point in time and ours, the second catering for pupils (as we were referred to in those days... not students as seems to be the more commonly used term today) aged 4-12 years. By Therese (Murphy) Moran

On arriving at the school there was a great welcome for me, and I was introduced to all the children. The teacher directed me to my own desk. I then told her I learned a poem about her, she was so pleased and said, stand up then a tell the class. 

There were stories about the “Bean Si” (“Banshee”) and the “Cóiste Bodhar” (“Death Coach”). Dick Brady would bring up his experiences with Ghosts, and he would end with “There isn’t a word of lie in it”.

My memory of the school is the entrance hall being cold and darkish while the classrooms were bright and airy and fairly warm most of the time. The turf for the school fires was sup-plied by the families of pupils. I remember the quite pleasant aroma of the classrooms. It came from a mixture that included turf smoke, chalk, ink, sunlight soap, probably some kind of polish and various other substances.

This was music to my ears then. It was a very exciting time going to school at first, making friends, playing, and having my own desk. It quickly became routine, and I suppose like many more it became quite boring. 

I started my education in the “Old” school in Prizon - it was an old building and very basic. We had an open fire and the Dads brought a cart of turf on their turns to keep it going. When that ran out, we were told to bring a sod each. 

The room was bright with high windows and the walls were a cheery primrose colour with green trim. Toward the front of the room stood the teachers desk and chair, a little stand with a basin of water and soap, a large blackboard mounted on an easel stood in the corner. 

We all received a basic education at Prison School. The subjects we were taught did not prepare us for the outside world,

I arrived at Prizon N. S on a sunny September morning, feeling a little apprehensive. But, the warm welcome I received from Lilly Glynn.

Anne Duggan (nee Jeffers) 
Principal 1961-1973

It all started for me back in the early sixties. In those days, everybody walked to school. We lived in Ballinagran, about a distance of one mile from Prizon school, so from four and a half years of age a daily round trip of two miles had to be undertaken. ..

He could often be seen letting cattle across the road for Kate Martin or shepherding a clutch of ducks to the river for Sonny Reilly. He had the same word for everyone - "WEATHER".

We would sit two to a desk with dry inkwells and pencils that had seen better days, and well used rubbers!! When ‘Sos’ was called we rushed outside to take up whatever game or intentions we had the previous day.

If I had to live my childhood over again, I wouldn’t want to change a single bit of it, they really were very happy times.

Mayo always holds a special place in my heart, it has a special quality about it, its beauty and generosity overwhelms me. For the future it would be nice if Prizon School were to become a focal point for the people around the area, and then past pupils could visit and enjoy on their return to this special place.

One time, one of my younger sisters, Bridie (RIP) wasn’t at school as she had a sore foot. The Junior teacher sent Guard Vaughan over to our house to investigate - my Mum called Bridie and of course, she came running - my poor Mum - she was mortified!

I was lucky enough to have all lovely teachers through my school years. Mrs. Maloney is certainly a teacher that stands out in my mind for her patient, kind and gentle nature.

Among the presenters, I remember were Michael O’Hehir (who also did the GAA match commentaries) on the Vaseline Hair Cream programme and Bart Bastable on Irish Hospital Sweepstakes.

Do you remember folks when we had to go out with the rakes and hayforks and shake all the swarths out, and pick out the docks or any other weeds, turn it, put it into lapcocks, sometimes breastcocks, and finally into field cocks, ....

We were born before television, before penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, plastic, contact lenses, videos, Frisbees and the Pill. 

We call next door for Mrs. Kennedy. She strolls out the steps wearing her blue crimplene coat and a couple of strings of Yankee pearls that the girls sent from America. At last we set off as Joseph and Kieran Early catch up to us going down the hill. 

A new dawn and a new beginning for a five-year-old boy. The excitement of the day is still with him. Rising in the cool air of a September morning. The sun slanting through the small windows of the cottage casting lines and shadows across the flagged floor.