Students of Longford's old Moyne Latin School class of sixty years ago to meet again

Pictured here is a 2nd year class at the old Moyne Latin School, taken all of sixty years ago, in the autumn of 1963. Four years later, this class of sixteen young lads sat their Greek Exam on 16 June 1967, the final day of their Leaving Cert. 

Then it was out the door and off on their bikes into the big bad world. Now, fifty-six years later, they are all “pensioners”, having experienced the joys and sorrows of life.  

On Thursday, June 1, they will meet again, to talk and reminisce about the days when they cycled long distances in good weather and bad to study Latin and Greek. 

When they last met, six years ago, all sixteen were still alive but, sadly, one of their number, Gerry Lyons, has passed away since then.

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The Leaving Cert class of 1967 was the last before the introduction of free education, school buses and third-level grants. 

A new era was about to commence that September under Donogh O’Malley’s grand scheme for Irish education. Neither did they have the pleasure (or temptation) of sitting beside girls in class, as it was boys-only until autumn 1967.
It was a humble school in ways, with just five teachers, five rooms and seven subjects. Latin and Greek were essential subjects at the time, as every class would produce some candidates for the priesthood. 

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Two of the 1967 Leaving Cert class became priests; Fr Pat Lennon, now parish priest in Dromard and Fr Michael Kiernan who has served his priestly life in Sacramento, California. Both of those men will soon be celebrating the 50th anniversary of their ordinations. 

Fr Michael Kiernan’s celebration is on Sunday, June 4 and Fr Pat Lennon’s on Sunday, June 11. 

The class will meet at the old Moyne Latin School, now the Community Centre, on Thursday, June 1 at 3pm and anyone who may have been in the group in first year will be welcome to call. Beidh fáilte romhaibh. 

Photo Caption 

Moyne Latin School  2nd Year Class of 1963/64

Back Row L to R: Michael McCabe, Rocullion, Cloone; Gerry Masterson, Beaghmore Carrigallen; Gene Dowling, Rathmore, Aughnacliffe, Pat Redehan, Corglass, Moyne; Ciarán O’Rourke, Druminbawn, Aughavas; Bernard Grimes, Beaghmore, Carrigallen; Donal Brady, Loughdavin, Loughduff, Benny Cumiskey, Berneyhill, Gowna. 

Front Row:  Gerry Lyons, Carrigallen; Seán Ó Súilleabháin, Aughakine, Aughnacliffe; Pat Lennon, Crealaughta, Ballinamuck; Michael Kiernan, Bandra, Ballinamuck; Liam McNamee, Drumkeeran, Cloone; Mark Reilly, Berinagh, Moyne; Éamonn Maguire, Carrigallen. (The Leaving Cert class of 1967 included four others not in the photo on that day. John Lee, Drummerkane, Aughavas, John Dermody, Mullinroe, Dring, Peter Lee, Carrigallen and John Francis Murtagh, Legga)