St Aengus NS to celebrate half a century in Bridgend

April 1975: Liam Cosgrave was Taoiseach, the Vietnam War ended with the fall of Saigon, the Bay City Rollers were top of the charts with ‘Bye Bye Baby’, and in Bridgend, pupils and teachers moved into the new St Aengus’ National School for the first time.

Since then an estimated 1,750 pupils have passed through the classrooms and, as St Aengus’ approaches its 50th anniversary on April 7, the school is calling on past pupils, past parents, and grandparents to help celebrate a half-century of memories.

For half a century, the school – situated half a dozen fields west of the border with Derry – has been a cornerstone of the Burt, Bridgend and Burnfoot community, nurturing generations of students and creating a tapestry of experiences and memories.

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In honour of this remarkable milestone, the school is inviting everyone with a connection to its history to contribute to a special celebration that looks back on decades of shared experiences.

When we called into the school on Tuesday last, preparations were in full swing for the celebrations – as explained by school principal Séamus McGowan and long-time teacher and past-pupil Caitríona O’Murchu.

“We’re excited to invite everyone who has been a part of St Aengus NS to contribute to this celebration,” says Galway native McGowan. “This is more than just an anniversary – it’s a testament to the enduring legacy of the school, built on memories, shared experiences, and community spirit.”

“Parents of current pupils are invited to join a morning celebration on Tuesday, April 1, featuring a concert and a guided tour of the school’s classrooms and facilities,” explains the principal.

“This event offers an opportunity to see how the school continues to evolve while cherishing its long-standing traditions.”

Caitríona O’Murchu, who has been deeply involved in gathering memorabilia and photographs for the celebrations, spends ten minutes with this writer – also a past pupil – flicking through class photos dating back to the mid-1970s. More than one brings a smile.

“The school will open its doors to the wider community, including past pupils, past parents, and local residents on Thursday evening, April 3,” she explains. “We intend it to be an informal and engaging reunion, providing a platform for sharing memories, reconnecting

with old friends, and celebrating the enduring spirit of St Aengus NS.”

The whole school is involved in the preparations, with Sixth Class working on a number of projects focusing on the anniversary. Work is ongoing in the preparation of a huge permanent photo wall in the school hall, accompanied by a timeline of school and global events and factual snapshots of local landmarks.

Classrooms will be set aside at the celebration for events covering specific eras, allowing former pupils bump into old classmates as they browse through photos and memorabilia.

Caitríona says work has been ongoing since before Christmas and as a former pupil she is ideally positioned to appreciate the nostalgia 50 years of well-documented history will provide the local community.

“People who attended this school are scattered all over the world now but we all have our memories of friends and classmates and teachers and wee stories from our years here. It’s only when you go through 50 years of history that you realise the huge change that has come to pass over those years. That too is reflected.”

And so, for former pupils of St Aengus’ NS, Bridgend, a real treat lies in store in the first week of April. More details to follow.