Marist Convent Tubbercurry Co Sligo

1968 -1973 REUNION 2023

This book is dedicated to our parents, teachers and deceased classmates.

Book compiled by Bernadette Connolly

The Marist Convent

The Marist Order came to Tubbercurry in 1904. They established a

secondary boarding school for girls in 1914 which also catered for day pupils. In 1973 the school became co-educational.

In 2002 St. Attracta's Community School took over the role of secondary education. The school provided a broad general education but was

particularly well known for musicals, choirs, orchestras, public speaking and debating.

When the Marist Convent Secondary School and Banada Abbey School amalgamated, the Marist Convent closed its doors.

The Class of 68-73

The hill seemed steep on the very first day, when we were met by students dressed in blue.

Our school bags were heavy and our nerves were shot, for we didn't know whether we'd

like it or not. We stood in assembly, lined up in our places as we glazed around in awe at

our new surroundings. On the stage stood the principal who appeared to be fair, she smiled

down at us and that smile seemed to welcome us. On that morning we were divided into

two rooms. The teachers we met made us aware of the importance of study & friendship.

I am proud to have attended this wonderful school and hence I made friendships that have lasted 50 years.

Editor Bernadette Connolly.

Front row (L to R) K.Feely, M.Maree, B.Finnerty, M.Grier, G.Cunniffee, Sister Donal, E.Cunningham, E.Cawley, B.Connolly, M.Mullen, A.Gunning.

2nd row (L to R) M.Roddy, M.Taylor, S.Taheny, M.Hanson, B.Gallagher, M.Casey, E.Breslin,

M.Kerrigan, K.McManus, M.McCoy, M.Brady, M.Gillispie.

3th row (L to R) M.Colman, P.McDonagh, J.Brennan, A.Foye, B.McGlinchey, F.Drury, P.Walsh, G.Conlon and M.Coleman (RIP)

4th row (L to R) M.Conway, A.Brett, N.Ryan (RIP), G.Noone, M.Benson, B.Dowd. 5th row (L to R) B.Rogers, M.Carty, D.Mullaney and P.Blee

Class of 68-73 Pauline Brennan

Mgt Mary Carty

Kathleen Feely

Anne Foye

Kathleen Foye

Annette Gunning

Marion Grier

Margaret Higgins

Joan Brennan

Geraldine Conlon

Philomena Gallagher Mary Kerrigan

Bernadette Connolly

Veronica Gilligan

Rosaleen Henry

Kathleen McManus

Marion Mullen

Mary McCoy

Eleanor O Brien

Marion O Brien

Mary Benson

Phyllis Blee

Noreen Ryan (RIP) Mary Brady

Carmel Caulfield (RIP)

Maura Conway

Helen Brennan

Eileen Breslin

Marie Coleman (RIP)

Eleanor Cunningham

Maureen Maree

Dorothy Mullaney

Marion Casey

Geraldine Cunniffee Beryl Simpson

Bernadette Rogers

Marion Hanson

Bridie Gallagher

Mary Roddy

Patrica McDonagh

Mary Taylor

Bombie Finnerty

Margaret Gallagher

Julie Golden

Josephine Killoran

Joanie McCormack (RIP) Bridie McGlinchey

Mary Durkin (RIP)

Marion Gillespie

Stephanie Taheny Elizabeth Cawley Frances Drury

Marian Gilmartin

Anna Brett

Nuala Coleman Breege Dowd

Eileen Gallagher Jean Mannion

Gemma Noone Pauline Walsh

Monica Coleman

Geraldine McCann

Joanie McCormack (Brennan) Joanie and I were neighbours growing up on Main Street, Tubbercurry where our playground was the street, Market Yard and McGuinness's garden. At that time, the street was a busy hub with lots of children of various ages, everyone playing together. We started St. Mary's primary school on the same day and continued from there to the Marist Secondary School. One thing that I remember clearly is all of us picking buttercups on May Day and distributing them at the front doors and windowsills of each of the houses on the street. I understand that Joanie continued with this tradition in later life. Joanie was a person with a very generous spirit, a great sense of humour and a kind heart. Though she left school after Inter Cert, she continued to have contact with her friends and was one of the main organisers of our 25th class reunion. She did an excellent job with other former classmates in bringing it all together. She mirrored her paternal grandparents’ interest in drama and arts, especially singing and dancing. Joanie was an active member of the Phoenix Players and performed in a number of their productions. At other times, she enjoyed doing make-up for the actors. The world is a duller place without her! Joanie died on 11/08/2019. Hopefully she is now dancing with the angels. Condolences to her husband Pat, her daughters Kim and Dtharria and her son Andrew. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis. Marian Gillespie (Baynes)

Stephanie Taheny & Mary Brady

Back row (L to R) Patrica McDonagh, Mr Hearney & Mary Kerrigan Front row (L to R) Mary Brady, Phyllis Blee & Stephanie Taheny

Back row (L to R) Bridie Gallagher, Eileen Breslin & Sr Donal 3rd row (L to R) Dorothy Mullaney, Bombie Finnerty, Beryl Simpson, Phyllis Blee & Marian Gilmartin 2nd row (L to R) Carmel Caulfield (RIP). Anna Brett, Helen Brennan 1st row (L to R) Stephanie Taheny & Maura Conway

Stephanie Taheny & Bridie Gallagher

Breege Dowd, Kathleen McManus, Bridie McGlinchey & Frances Drury

Eileen Breslin , Mary Roddy, Maire Coleman (RIP) Stephanie Taheny & Breege Gallagher

Kathleen McManus

Stephanie Taheny, Bridie Gallagher, Eileen Breslin, Marie Coleman (RIP) & Mary Roddy

Mgt Mary Carty & Joan Brennan

Maureen Maree, Noreen Ryan (RIP). Pauline Walsh, Helen Brennan Maura Conway . Back row Anna Brett & Eleanor O Brien

Devotions

One of the funniest and scariest memories of my time in Tubbercurry happened during May devotions on Sunday evenings in the church across the road from the convent. On one particular Sunday evening myself and a few of my class mates decided we weren’t going to attend devotions but hide in the dorm lockers and the toilets. Among the culprits that I can recall were Marie Coleman (RIP), Bridie McGlinchey and Marion Hanson. Everything was going well until Sr.Alvarez knocked on the toilet door but we refused to come out. Looking through the keyhole all we could see was Sr.Alvarez’s eye looking right back. Eventually we were all summoned to the parlour to Rev. Mother and Sr.Donal for a very stern talking to. Marie Coleman decided to tell them she hadn’t been well and was offered a chair. When quizzed on her illness she said, "I have neuralgia". We all started to panic as we didn’t really know that it was a simple toothache, we thought she has some rare disease! We were threatened with letters to our parents and expulsion, but that didn’t bother us too much as we were looking forward to a nice break at home. Hopefully the other girls will come forward now and hold their hands up!

Another story comes to mind of one Corpus Christi when my sister Rosaleen’s boyfriend decided to come and take us out for a spin and brought her best friend along with him, as his fiance. He said he was a cousin. All the nuns needed to know was what Mass he was taking us to. He had it all researched and said he was taking us to Mass in Charlestown and off we went, not to Mass, but for a long drive with music blaring from the "tape" and chips on the way back. Oh the innocence of it all!

Thanks to Bernadette and all the girls for arranging this reunion. A special mention should go to the day pupils who were so kind to us and felt our pain at not being able to go home in the evenings. Kathleen Mc Manus (Rice)

Tribute to Marie Coleman

Despite loosing her mother at the age of 11 and being the oldest of 4 children, her Dad made a huge sacrifice and sent Marie to board at the Marist in order that she would get a good education and not have to fulfil the role of mother to her siblings.

Marie was loved by everyone for her placid manner and healthy laugh. She was a very dedicated student and was always willing to share her knowledge with anyone who asked. Her love of English and particularly writing essays was her strong feature and she carried this skill all through her 60 years.

Marie trained in St. Patrick’s Teacher Training College and went on to teach in Rooskey N.S. until she moved to Dublin where she spent many years in the Marist N.S in Sundrive Road. For convenience to home she moved to St Brigid’s Girls school in Foxrock where she spent the remaining teaching years. Marie was married to Gerry Monnelly from Ballina who was also a teacher and they had 4 children, 2 girls and 2 boys.

In 2005 Marie was diagnosed with breast cancer and following surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment made a good recovery which allowed her return to work after 15 months. Marie's love of writing stayed with her and she recorded her everyday thoughts feelings and adventures but mostly her journey on the cancer road. In 2013 Marie began to feel very tired and breathless and finally when one day in the classroom she knelt down to pick something up she couldn't get up, she was so breathless. She went to the doctor on her way home from school and that was the start of the second round of her cancer journey. After many tests, scans biopsies Marie spent the following 3 years dealing with a roller coaster of ups and downs but she never complained but acknowledged all the good days and showed great appreciation for the beauty of nature, singing of the birds and gen- eral wild life.

It was the year of her 60th birthday that she decided she wanted to do something special to mark this milestone and to give something back in support of cancer research. Marie had so much written down over the years in the form of stories, poems and journal entries that she decided she would write a book and launch it for her 60th birthday. This deadline kept her focused for the following months in between hospital appointments and various treatments. In September 2016 Marie had her big launch in the local Community Centre in Foxrock with a full house in attendance. She also travelled to Ballina and her home village of Ballinacarrow and did signings in both venues. All proceeds went to Cancer Research. 'From Breast To Marrowbone' is a hilarious read amid a lot of challenging times. Marie passed away just before midnight on the 31st December 2016.

Marie was the sister I never had, we chatted for ages most Sunday nights, we shared all special occasions, we went to America together twice to visit relations, she was my bridesmaid and godmother to my oldest daughter.

She was my best friend and I still miss her. Mary Roddy.

High jinks in the garden

Patrica McDonagh, Maura Conway, Helen Brennan, Noreen Ryan (RIP), Anna Brett & Maureen Maree

Back to the grind

Memories

Back row Anne Foye, Geraldine McCann, Annette Gunning, Margaret Higgins, Mary Durkin (RIP), Bernadette Rogers, Josephine Killoran. Middle row Noreen Ryan (RIP), Marion Mullen, Joanie McCormack (RIP), Katheen Feely & Mary McCoy. Front row Bridie McGlinchey, Marion Hanson.

1971

Helen Brennan, Maura Conway, Maureen Maree, Beryl Simpson & Pauline Walsh

Marion Grier, Monica Coleman, Geraldine Cunniffee, Mary Brady, Eileen Breslin & Marie Coleman (RIP)

THE BATH by Harry Graham

Broad is the Gate and wide the Path That leads man to his daily bath; But ere you spend the shining hour With plunge and spray, with sluice and show'r -

With all that teaches you to dread The bath as little as your bed - Remember, whosoe'er you be, To shut the door and turn the key! I had a friend - my friend no more ! Who failed to bolt his bath-room door; A maiden aunt of his, one day, Walked in, as half-submerged he lay! She did not notice nephew John, And turned the boiling water on! He had no time, nor even scope To camouflage himself with soap, But gave a yell and flung aside The sponge, 'neath which he sought to hide! It fell to earth I know not where! He beat his breast in his depair, And then, like Venus from the foam, Sprang into view, and made for home! His aunt fell fainting to the ground! Alas! They never brought her round! She died, intestate, in her prime, The victim of another's crime; And John can never quite forget How, by a breach of etiquette, He lost, at one fell swoop (or plunge)

His aunt, his honour and his sponge!

Back In 68 By Mike Denver

Wasn't it great in '68 to have been around back then A night on the town cost half a crown and you still had money to spend Girls wore mini skirts and corduroy shirts and boots up to their knees With back combed hair so fair they were such a sight to see.

Well Betsy and me about half past three we'd hit for God knows where With the loan of a pound and the roof rolled down on a sixteen hundred E We'd hit Clonmel to hear Mick Dell or Dolan in Tramore The Barrowlands or the Silver sands or a Marquee in Tullamore. Chorus I wanna go back take me back to where I wanna be Take me back again in time it's forever on my mind Take me back to where it all began for me. Lovely girls we met well you may bet From every corner of the globe From the hitchin' post to the last outpost Some of no fixed abode From the golden vale to Emyvale Where a blonde had her eye on me Down at Cappawhite where a farmer's wife Wanted Betsy home for tea.

Well those times are gone and it wasn't long 'till they were just a memory The halls up there,,,,like videos and T.V. I settled down and made a few pound But each Sunday as the clock stricks eight I think of a time when the world was mine Back in nineteen sixty eight.

I wanna go back take me back to where I wanna be Take me back again in time it's forever on my mind Take me back to where it all began for me.

The empty Chair We gather here at class once more To reminiscence like years before Upon the days and joys we knew Before our school aged time was through Yet as we meet with memories near Our friends and classmates passed away To be with God and enjoy their day.

Until that hour when we join again An empty chair we will maintain In honour of the life long bond We forged with those now passed beyond The friends with whom we learned life's truth Whose bonds lasted far from our youth And shall remain forever near.

Teaching Staff

Mrs Ita Coleman's retirement 1988

Marist Memories The rabbit incident.

This occurred during our regular Irish class under the watchful eye of Sr Alvarez, affectionally known as Elvis. Our classroom was upstairs on the first floor in the original convent building. As far as I recall, we were in fifth year at the time. There were two adjoining classrooms with a type of divider between the two classrooms - L and C. Our Irish class was scheduled immediately after lunch so I decided to take advantage of this timing. My dear friend, Maura Conway, regularly visited an aunt down town at lunchtime, availing of a lovely lunch while we had to make do with the daily boring sandwiches unless Sr Pancreas took pity on us and gave us a slightly better gourmet option!!

At that time, Sr Stephen our infamous Biology / Science teacher, had asked that somebody bring in a dead rabbit to class for dissection purposes and as a learning exercise. A pupil in our class had obliged and brought in the rabbit. I was aware of this and decided to put the rabbit in Maura's schoolbag, a duffle style bag which was left on the floor beside her desk before she arrived back from her lunch outing. I sat behind Maura and was aware that she arrived back at the last minute and always put her hand into her school bag so as to retrieve the Irish textbook, without looking in the actual bag. Irish class was just about to get underway when Maura put her hand into the bag and felt the fur coat of an animal as opposed to the familiar shape of Dialann Deorai. She managed to contain her shock and did not scream. However, Sr Alvarez did notice her reaction and asked her to bring her bag to the teacher's desk where upon she pronounced that there was a rabbit in Maura's school bag. I had to confess my crime on the spot and was sent to see Sr Donal, school principal. No major punishment ensued and she had to stifle a laugh on hearing about the incident.

Watering plants on windows.

As far as I recall, this happened on a Saturday morning when the school day was sometimes a bit less structured and occasionally had a free class. I saw somebody watering plants which were on the inside of the windows of our upstairs classroom and may have been asked to help out. Maura Conway was helping with the operation also. I watered a few plants and had quite a bit of water left in the watering can when we were summoned to class. I was unsure how to get rid of the water quickly so I decided to throw it out the window as I thought somebody had done so earlier. However, there was a team of men and Sr Donal walking along on the footpath underneath who may have been examining the old prefab classrooms and the water fell on them. Trouble again. Sr Donal, though very annoyed by the incident and particularly in the presence of visitors to the school, did not apply any punishment on that occasion. Anna Brett

Marist Memories Peanut tin and Sr. Georgina

This occurred during geography class with Sr. Georgina - must be prior to Inter Cert as I did not study this subject for the Leaving Cert. I recall Mary Brady sitting to my right. Somebody had given me a small tin with colourful pictures of different kinds of nuts on the outside of the tin which looked very inviting. However, when you removed the lid, a yellow coloured 'snake' jumped out which was quite a surprise! It was decided that we would leave the tin on Sr Georgina's desk ahead of her arrival to class. Sr Georgina arrived and sat up on the high stool and began chatting to us while keeping a watchful eye on the tin. I was really scared that she might fall off the stool when she opened the tin and injure herself. Eventually curiosity get the better of her and she opened the tin while my heart began to thump!! She took it in her stride and didn't fall of the stool and managed a smile.

Anna Brett

The Project

I am reminded of another stressful time for Sr. Stephen when we chose a subject for our school project. Mary Brady and I decided to do a joint project on Communism. We wrote to Declan Bree who was a member of The Connolly Youth Movement in Sligo and a large box of books arrived on the Soviet Union and the rise of Communism to the convent with forms to join the young socialist movement. We spent all our spare hours reading, writing and were very proud of the finished product. All the projects were put on display for the parents on Parents’ Day. Ours had pride of place in the morning alongside all the other girls, projects but it had disappeared by the time the parents arrived. Scensorship was at work and we never saw our project again or our box of books which were also confiscated. I think this was the work of Sr. Stephen. Kathleen McManus

Mary Durkan

Mary was born and lived most of her short life in Rhue Tubbercurry with her parents Josie and John who owned a small farm. She was an only child and was loved dearly by them both. Sometimes while walking home from school with her she would tell me the names of all the trees we passed and she could identify every bird from its song. It was clear to me that Mary had a great respect and close affinity with nature. On one occasion we found a dead cat on the road that had obviously been run over by a car. Mary insisted that we place the cat in the long grass verging the road and say a prayer for him. Mary's father died when she was 13 years of age and this had a profound effect on her life afterwards. She attended Marist Convent Secondary School but sadly became unwell and died two years later. I remember her as a quiet unassuming person who was happiest and most at ease when outside and close to nature. Pauline Walsh

Memories

Mary McCoy, Kathleen Feely, Gemma Noone, Ann Foye, Bernadette Rogers, Bernadette Connolly and Marion Mullen

Remembering Carmel Caulfield Ballaghaderreen.

Although Carmel did not do her Leaving Cert in Tubbercurry she was one our class for four years. Carmel was one of the taller girls in our year and was a very useful back on our school basketball team so we were very sorry to see her leave. Unfortunately Carmel's mother took ill and she stayed at home to help care for her six younger siblings, which was a big undertaking for her at a tender age. She completed her Leaving Cert in Ballaghaderreen. Carmel's mum, who died in May 1974, had a hair dressing salon and Carmel continued to work in the business which she had learned from helping her mother during previous years. In 1980, when her sister Frances took over the hairdressing, Carmel went to work in London for a short time, then moved to USA; to Dallas as nanny to triplets of a millionaire family, then to New York as nanny and personal assistant, Park Ave. Manhattan. During these years Carmel did some courses which led her into business and management. Having got her Green Card she returned to Dublin where she met Garda Liam Purcell, from Knockvicar, Boyle. They married 1st. Jan. 1993, set up home in Clontarf and had one son, Coman, who now lives in Berlin. Carmel got involved in property development and was very successful as she broadened her portfolio to Europe. She was 'hands on' - involving herself in planning, renovations and decoration. In 2018 Carmel was diagnosed with cancer and had a three year battle until her death 31 Dec. 2021. She was predeceased by her younger sister, Denise, age 25, in Nov. 1987. Carmel was very talented - hairdressing, cooking, dressmaking, gardening, sculpture drawing. She had a great interest in art, architecture, museums; in sport - Wimbeldon. Mary Roddy & Fr. Joe Caulfield

Remembering Meal Time

At the start of the first term the boarders were allocated their seating arrangements in the dining room which was four to a table and a mix of seniors with juniors. The set menu for each meal was more or less the same each week. Porridge was served 3 mornings a week if I remember correctly. Marie Coleman hated porridge but she was lucky enough to be sitting with Valerie Naughton at the table and Valerie loved porridge so the routine was they did a swap with plates under the table until one morning when Sr Alvarez was on duty and spotted the procedure. She stood over Marie and tried to make her eat the porridge but Marie would not. There was a stand off between the two of them long after the rest of us left the room and eventually Marie made hard work of eating some of it but that was a once off. Mary Roddy

Marion Gillispie & Dorothy Mullaney

Anna Brett & Helen Brennan

Anne Foye, Margaret Carty & Bernadette Rogers

Noreen Ryan 1955—1982

I met Noreen for the first time in 1968 when we started Secondary School in the Marist Convent. Over the five years we became great friends as we all did. Noreen worked very hard at school. She studied honours maths through a correspondence course for leaving cert because it was not available in the school. However Noreen always made time for the fun and crack. I can still see her infectious smile and hear her giggling.

Our friendship extended on to Trinity College Dublin where she studied Maths and Science, graduating with an Honours Degree. Noreen loved to travel and I was a willing companion. We spent a summer in London, America, Canada and travelled all across Europe on two occasions with an Inter Rail ticket. Sport was another talent of Noreen's, she was a brilliant sports woman and athlete, taking part in many events and excelled at cross country running, achieveing many awards.

Noreen and I played Camogie in secondary school. We continued on with this into college, setting up a Camogie club at Trinity College. We travelled to other colleges to compete in different competitions, claiming many honours along the way. We also hosted the Ashbourne Cup in Trinity College. The club grew from strength to strength under our stewardship. On leaving TCD Noreen worked with Bord Failte for a time before she got the travel bug once again. She traveled to Australia, where she sadly passed away at the age of 26 following a tragic accident on 31st January, 1982.

Personally I was devastated as were parents (Bridie and Mick) Sister (Mary) brother (Michael) and her extended family and friends.

Patrica McDonagh

25th Anniversary

Back Row : Bridie McGlinchey, Stephanie Taheny, Marion Gillespie, Anna Brett, Josephine Killoran, Maureen Maree, Margaret Mary Carty, Anne Foye, Annette Gunning, Sr. Catherine, Mary Roddy and Julie Golden.

3th Row : Joanie McCormack (RIP). Kathleen McManus, Sr. Maria, Monica Coleman, Geraldine Cunniffee, Carmel Caulfield (RIP). Marion Casey, Marion Hanson, Bernadette Rogers, Rosaleen Henry, Geraldine McCann, Eileen Breslin, Kathleen Foye, Bernadette Connolly and Gemma Noone. 2nd row : Linda Burke, Sr. Donal, Sr. Pancreas, Patrica McDonagh, Eleanor Cunningham, Sr. Alvarez and Joan Brennan.

Front row : Veronica Gilligan, Eleanor O Brien, Marion Mullen, Helen Brennan, Pauline Brennan, Kathleen Feehly, Marion O Brien and Breege Dowd

Marist Convent Tubbercurry Co Sligo