Teachers and Priests

We have established a number of teachers and priests that have been involved in Prizon school over the year. We also have also gathered some of the stories about these teachers.

Teachers

Carlos abt; 1850

Carlos Possibly the first teacher to have worked in Prizon school. We know very little about him except for a mention in Miss O’Doherty’s account about the old school. No records are found on him.

The Colgan’s

Edward Colgan

Carlos was succeeded by a man named Edward Colgan from Bailefaidirín. He had been trained as a gardener. He had a very beautiful garden round the school. Which is shown from reports by the nation board of education where he was awarded.

William Keely

William Keely and his sister succeeded him in 1867. As of yet we have little information on William or his sister. It is said:

Thomas Kelly

Little information is given on Thomas except for an extract where is is mentioned.

Mary O’Doherty

Miss Doherty taught in both the old and the new school. She also submitted stories written by pupils in 1938 to the National Folklore Collection.

Teacher Miss O’Doherty drove her car to and from school each and every day in hail, rain and snow, to live up to her responsibilities as teacher and Principal. Miss Doherty, who came from Turlough. As there was no means of transport in those days, and the distance was too far to cycle, she stayed in the old school (part of which had been adapted to living quarters on the instructions of the parish priest). There was a local lady by the name of Kate McDonnell who was assigned to stay with her at night. The Reilly family who lived next door prepared her meals and a pupil was sent to collect the tray at various meal times. This all changed however, when she acquired a motor car. Miss McMunn who lived down the Ballyvary road, became her housekeeper, and travelled with her each day after school and returned each morning.

Miss O’Doherty’s arrival. Usually someone was assigned to be on the look-out of her car coming. Suddenly you’d hear a roar, “she’s on the hill, stoop ye eegits”, (idiots). Very often the teacher may forget to remove her car keys. A common reminder was, “the keys are in the car Miss”.

Lily Glynn

Teacher Miss Glynn cycled to and from school each and every day in hail, rain and snow.

Mrs. Rena Maloney Relief Teacher

Mrs. Maloney was a relief teacher that came to teach us when Mrs. Duggan was off.

Anna Jiffers (Mrs Duggan)

Miss Jeffers, got married. All of the children were so excited at the thought of ‘Miss’ being in love and we were so caught up in the romance of it all. ‘Miss’ included all of the children in the wedding celebrations by laying on a big spread in McKenna’s Hotel in Balla. Last Teacher 1961-1973

Priests

• 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 Sommers. On the day of the holidays he would usually have apples for the pupils.. .