CUILMORE School was built in the early years of the Second World War. It was then a three teacher school, staffed by An Paorach, who was principal, and two assistant teachers, Mrs. Coughlan and Mrs. O'Halloran.
By the time I started to teach there in 1958, it was two teacher, as pupil numbers had dropped by one third. Mrs. Coughlan was principal, and had charge of the older pupils and I taught the infants and first and second classes. I spent twelve years there before going to a Dublin school- for family reasons. These were happy, peaceful years and I cannot say enough in praise of the children then attending.
Mrs. Coughlan was an excellent teacher, who trained the children in extra curricular subjects including a tin whistle band and handcrafts.
My special memory is of a spina bifida girl, Annie May Mulchrone, who had asked to come to school. She seemed to be always smiling and happy in her chair among the smaller children.
Two of the older children looked after her at lunch time and took care of all her needs and her two brothers ferried her to and from school without a hitch. Actually she was a very good influence on all the children.
Annie May came to school here at a time when there was no service whatsoever in County Mayo for handicapped people. Her- mother Nancy was long before her time in providing her with an integrated servic({, unsurpassed by the experts of today. She wheeled her in a pushchair into Newport for special occasions like "Show Day" and the "Procession". It as at home that she was prepared for her First Holy Communion. And her past-time - knitting was one that earned her a little money now and then. Taught by her mother she could knit Aran sweaters with the best.
In 1979 she went to work in Rehab in Castlebar. She enjoyed a trip to Lourdes in 1981.
In 1984 she was transferred from Rehab to "Hats of Ireland" -an industry on the Breaffy Road, Castlebar where she now works.
She drives her own car and is the only member of her family now living with their widowed mother. It is now her turn to drive mother to town a treat she richly deserves. They are two happy fulfilled people.
To suit my family I had to change to Dublin, but I still pass Cuilmore School a few times each year. I am glad to know that central heating has now been installed and that painting etc. is done regularly. The teaching staff has changed, of course, but the pupils, I hope are like all children just the same. God bless them all.
