THE LIGHT OF OTHER DAY
“THE LIGHT OF OTHER DAY”
“‘Oft in the stilly night,
Ere slumber’s chain has bound me,
Fond memories brings the light,
Of other days around me.
”
1961 was the year in which John F. Kennedy was inaugurated President of the United States, Princess Grace (Kelly) of Monaco, accompanied by her husband, Prince Rainer, visited her grandfather's home in Newport, and man first ventured into space. It was also the year I took the 'giant leap' from teaching junior classes in Clogher N.S. to being Principal of Prizon N.S and teaching senior classes. I feel honoured being asked to contribute a little article for this booklet.
I arrived at Prizon N. S on a sunny September morning, feeling a little apprehensive. But, the warm welcome I received from Lilly Glynn and the happy smiling faces of the children before me, soon had me at my ease. I spent twelve very happy, rewarding and peaceful years there, accompanied by Lilly Glynn for the first two, and by Claire Finan for the following seven. It was a sad day for me and for all concerned when its doors closed for good in September 1973. The shouts and laughter of children during playtime, which broke the silence of the quiet, peaceful countryside, could be heard no more. The rolls had been called for the last time. Those roll books which ticked off the passing years, and bore mute witness to the pupil army that attended Prizon Schools, old and new, over the years. Of those, some have gone to their rest, others are scattered all over the globe, proud ambassadors for their country, its Faith and its culture. Several too have remained in the locality, and are obviously so proud of the school that started them off on the road to achieve their dreams and ambitions, that they decided to organise, this nostalgic get together.
Being a small Two Teacher school, the passage of time was very marked. You watched the children pass from class to class from the day they arrived as Infants to their exit at the end of Sixth class.
'I have grown old within these walls While the faces before me stay forever young'.
Visitors to the school were always welcome, a little light relief from the lessons! The postman drifted in with all the local news, visitors from abroad seeking their roots, parents with a request or an explanation, never with a gripe!! Fr. Joseph Cunnane paid his weekly visit, every Wednesday without fail, to make sure the children's spiritual education was well catered for. They were always great at memorising the words and phrases of the catechism, knew the difference between the Mortals and the Venials, Hell, and Heaven, and the now extinct Limbo, and could recite endless prayers.
There was no free transport back then, not even bicycles, and definitely no cars delivering and collecting. They walked to school from far away Faurgreens, Loughill, Tavanagh, Ballinagran, Drimadoon, and other distant villages. As we didn't have electricity, visual aids were minimal, no television, computer, projector or photocopier. But were they any the worse for that? They had beautiful hand writing, were excellent readers, fluent in Irish, speedy at the sums and mentals (John Holian in particular!). Music and singing were also to the fore. I have fond memories of a Tin Whistle Band (Leader Tom Lyons !!) They were loudly acclaimed at a concert in the Maple Hall in Balla. I am proud to see the four Jennings sisters still as nimble fingered as ever with the Balla Pipe Band.
We depended on the sun for light in the classrooms and a huge open fire of turf and coal was our only source of hear in winter rime. Bottles of tea and cocoa stood like soldiers on each hob. Sometimes corks went pop, like a rifle shot, if forgotten to be removed, much to the amusement of the children and the horror of the teachers.
Our days in Prizon were not a question of all work and no play. We did have good fun too, school outings, travelling shows and funny incidents. On one occas10n, for some reason, the "Stations" were held in the school. Claire and I decided to do things properly, white linen tablecloths, breakfast etc. Claire was in charge of making roast on the blazing open fire, but she took her eye of the fork and one slice of toast landed in the heart of the fire, much to the amusement of all. Bur all came right in the end.
Our very good neighbour, Mr. Reilly, affectionately known as 'Doyle', rook very good care of us. He was our right-hand man in rimes of crises, and a very dear friend. During thunder storms, he would ramble in just in case we were frightened. 'Ar dheis De go raibh a anam'. I have very happy memories of my years in Prizon School and I hope all past pupils have too. To the Prizon children of the 60's and the early 70's, I say thanks for the memories, for the wealth of humour and enthusiasm encountered in the classroom, and for making Prizon N.S. a delightful place to work in. I salute the parents who were deeply committed to obtaining the best for their children. Thanks for your support, help, and friendship.
I extend sincerest congratulations to the hard-working committee for organising this reunion and so keeping alive the memory of their beloved school. At a nostalgic rime like this we remember with pride and affection the friends, relations and happy scenes of our school days. May this commemorative booklet help you do just that.
Rath De oraibh go leir agus ar bhur gcuid oibre. Gura fada buan go mairidh sibh. . SI.in agus Beannacht.
Anne Duggan (nee Jeffers)
Principal 1961-1973
