Schools
DRUMPHEA NATIONAL SCHOOL:
On January 11th 1864, Rathnageeragh N.S. was opened with ten pupils on the first page of the roll book and was assigned roll number 9230. Scoil Mhuire Drumphea was opened at Easter 1967. The new school took the place of Rathnageeragh N.S. and still held the same roll number. After years of waiting in this two classroom 'temporary school' the new school was finally built.
On
September 12th 2003 our present school was officially opened by Bishop Moriarty.
Our new state of the art school has three classrooms, a computer room,
principal's office, staffroom and hall, as well as an extensive playground
including hurling pitch and basketball court to promote and foster the great
sporting tradition that the area of Drumphea is famous for. Many past pupils of
Scoil Mhuire have gone on to represent their club and county in areas such as
hurling, camogie and handball.
Drumphea National School
Instrumental in fostering this love of sport in Scoil Mhuire was recently retired principal, Liam O'Connell. Liam taught in Scoil Mhuire for thirty seven years and brought many sporting successes to our school including Cumann na mBunscol victories for hurling, camogie and football. This tradition was upheld in 2007 with both boys and girls reaching the hurling finals of the Cumann na mBunscol. We were very proud that year also to have boys and girls from our school represent their club in the Feile na nGael competition. To promote this competition our school was visited by the legendary sporting commentator Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh. Pupils were enthralled by Michael's knowledge of sport and sporting stories. As well as P.E. lessons the pupils receive hurling and camogie coaching.
Music is another strong tradition in Scoil Mhuire with all pupils receiving tin whistle lessons and featuring in the school choir.
Throughout the year the pupils are brought on many school trips. In 2007 we
travelled to 7UP Christmas On Ice, Lullymore Heritage Park and Baltinglass
Outdoor Education Centre.
The passing of the baton, Drumphea School Principals
In 2007 we have started to develop our school grounds by each classroom developing a garden. The senior classroom was responsible for the front garden. They developed this area by sowing two diamond shaped beds of roses. The infant classroom created a shrub garden sowing shrubs and herbs to attract insects. We aim to continue developing our grounds to include a herb and vegetable garden in the future.