Welcome to the website of Newtown National School, Ardee, Co. Meath. A92PW80
  RCN No. 20130879
  Phone No. 046 9053322
NEWTOWN N.S. ARDEE
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • School History
  • School Policies
  • Useful Links
  • Latest News & Events
  • ASD Class
  • Junior & Senior Infants
  • 1st & 2nd Class
  • 3rd & 4th Class
  • 5th & 6th Class
  • Parents Association
  • Active Schools Programme
  • School Self-Evaluation
  • Parent Information
  • WELLBEING
  • New Page
A huge thanks to Mrs. Anne Halpenny, former teacher at NewtownN.S., for her great work in researching the history of our school for us!

Schools in the Parish of Lobinstown through the years

(Dr. Plunket’s Visitation Book Records 1788-1879)

1788: 1 school in operation in the parish.

1799: 3 schools in operation in the parish.

1824: 5 Catholic schools in existence:

1)   One school was held in the chapel at Heronstown.  The headmaster was John Gaughran, father of Bishop Gaughran (bishop of Meath).  He taught 60 pupils, 50 Catholics and 10 Protestants.

2)  A school at Rathbran was helf in a mud house, thatched and had 35 pupils.

3)  A school at Creevagh (probably Newtown Creevagh), was held in a house of lime and stone.  It was built at the expense of the Catholic parishioners.  It was attended by 2 Protestants and 64 Catholic children.

4)  At Syddan, school was conducted in “a stable, badly thatched”.  It had 1 Protestant pupil and 29 Catholic pupils.

5)  A school in Mitchelstown was attended by 1 Protestant and 29 Catholics.  (Mitchelstown was then part of Lobinstown Parish, but is now a part of Castletown ParisH).

1835: There were schools at Newtown, Greenhills, Mooretown (the ruins of which still stand), Lobinstown Chapel, Heronstown and   Killary.

Prior to Dr. Plunket’s Visitation Book Records, there were Hedge Schools.  Travelling teachers held schools in fields and under hedges.  There, children were taught basic skills of Literacy and Numeracy.

1842:  Newtown National School ( which was situated across the road from  where the present school stands).

In 1841, Father Guinty, C.C. wrote to the National Board of Education, making application to have the school at Newtown, “built many years ago”, recognised as a National School.  Hence, the school came into being in 1842, as the plaque on the wall across the road still shows.

 

1900-1929:

The school at Newtown was just a two-roomed school with a famous Palm Tree at the front.  It had just a small grassy plot for playing.  The boys played football in Meade’s field, close by.

1929:

The school was remodelled by Fr. Shaw.  An extra classroom was added which made the building L-shaped.  The famous Palm Tree disappeared!  School was held just down the road in Newtown Church during the renovation.

 

 

1970:

Through the efforts of concerned parents, water was laid on and indoor toilets were installed.

1971:

Fr. Carty, P.P., prior to his sudden death, purchased the site for the new school across the road in Balfe’s field.

1975:

Newtown National School, as we see it today, was opened.  It was built by Eugene McDaniel of Mosstown, Dunleer.   After a special Mass in Newtown Church (now closed), Fr. Moran blessed the new school building.

2007:

A fourth classroom was added to the building to accommodate the increased enrolment numbers.

Records of Enrolments:

Year:

Number of children on roll:

1940: 79

1955: 75

1959: 87

1979: 81

1988: 95

1995: 50

2012: 97

Teachers of Newtown N.S.:

1900-1929: Mrs. Shiels

???-???:       Ms. Mary Jane Cassidy

???-???:       Miss Gammons

1926-1970: Mrs. Cole

1920’s:      Miss McCurtain

1930’s:     Miss French

1929:        Master Cunningham

1940:        Master Conroy

1944-1974: Master Murphy

1959-2004:  Mrs. Anne Halpenny

1970-1972: Miss Elaine Hanrahan

1972-1995: Mrs. Finola Reilly

1974-2009: Mr. Pat O’Grady (Principal)

1996-Present: Ms. Róisín Malone (Deputy Principal)

2004-Present: Ms. Elaine McKenna (now Mrs. Allen)

2005-2006: Ms. Claire Doherty

2006-Present: Ms. Nuala Judge

2006-Present: Mrs. Bridie O’Sullivan (Principal from 2009-Present)

2009: Ms. Niamh McKeon (now Mrs. McComish)
 
Learning Support Teachers:

1978-1985: Mrs. Kathleen McArdle

1985-1988: Mrs. Joan Tully

1990-2005: Mrs. Alice Carolan

2006-Present: Ms. Nuala Judge

​2017-Present: Mr. Declan Keane (part-time)

Special Needs Assistant:

2006- Present: Geraldine Clinton

There is now a Preservation Order on the Old School building across the road from where our school now stands.

Famous Past Pupils:

· Paddy Meegan- Poet and author of “From the Life Around Me”.  Paddy was also a great footballer, winning All Ireland medals for playing football with Meath.

· Bill Halpenny- Bill was married to Anne, who was a teacher in Newtown.  He too won All Ireland football medals with Meath.

· Tommy Farrelly- won All Ireland Football Medals with Meath.

· Linda Clare-author of “At the Edge of the Pale”.

·Tom Ludlow: author of “The Bacon Box”.

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.