Friday November 11th started as a very wet and windy morning. The staff and pupils of Scoil Eoin Naofa, Ballyclough, attended Mass to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the school. As the morning progressed the rain stopped and the wind calmed. By 11am the sun was shining. All the staff and pupils congregated in the school grounds for the planting of a hazelnut tree. This tree was a symbolic way of remembering the deceased past pupils of the school. Family members of the deceased had gathered at the school for the moving occasion. Michael O’Boyle, former school principal, planted the tree with help from other bereaved families.
During the day the school was a hive of activity as usual. The pupils were putting the finishing touches to their instrumental music and their song ‘World in Union’. Old photos were hung on the walls. Paintings and drawing were put on display for the big night on Friday. Board of Management members and Parents’ Association members were also very busy. At 7.30pm, the official opening of the new extension was performed by Cllr Dan Joe Fitzgerald, who, as a past pupil of Ballyclough N.S., was delighted to be asked to do the honours. The new building was blessed by Fr. Frank O’Neill P.P. Speeches were made by Cllr. Fitzgerald, Fr. O’Neill, Michael O’Boyle and the current principal of Scoil Eoin Naofa, Mrs. Mary O’Sullivan The special guests were the infant class of 1986. Also in attendance we were delighted to have Sal Hanlon and Frances Murphy who taught in the school when it opened in 1986, Edward McDonnell who was the engineer for the new building, and John Curran, the builder. We were entertained by the 4th, 5th and 6th class pupils of the school. Then everyone enjoyed refreshments and had an opportunity to look at a very well presented slide show of old school photos etc, which was prepared by Robert Kennedy. A happy and memorable day for all came to an end as the children sang “As we climb to reach our destiny, a new age has begun.”