Huge interest in opening of Longford's Latin School Heritage Centre

Friday next, May 3 will be a historic occasion in the North Longford community of Moyne/Dromard, with the official opening of the Latin School Heritage Centre.
The centre’s opening coincides with the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Latin School.
That year, 1974, also saw the opening of Moyne Community School (which was an amalgamation of the Latin School and Ballinamuck Vocational School).

The Heritage Centre will tell the story of education in the area going back over a period of over 200 years.
A central part of this story is the fact that over 560 young men were ordained to the priesthood from the area.
In addition, many other students went on to have great success in banking, business and other sectors.
Speaking to the Leader, the chairperson of the group involved in this project, Joe Murphy, explained the itinerary for this Friday.

“There will be a meet and greet at 5pm in Moyne Community Centre. At 5.30, there will be a blessing and opening of the heritage centre. A mass will then take place at 7.30pm,” Joe explained.
Joe went on to explain how the development of the heritage centre came about.
“In 2018, a sub group to develop the heritage centre was created. It is hoped that the heritage centre will be another link in the chain of tourism in North Longford. This already includes Knights and Conquest in Granard, Ballinamuck and The Haggard in Dromard,” he stated.
“The old Latin School building now hosts a community centre and a men’s hub. Many such buildings around the country are now derelict,” he added.
Joe’s last observation is testament to the voluntary efforts of the community to keep the Latin School as a vibrant centre for the area.

Meanwhile, Kathryn McNerney played a key role in research for the new centre.
“I worked alongside Sean O’Suilleabhain (former Leitrim head librarian, who is a native of Colmcille parish) on the research. The research was very enjoyable and satisfying,” she stated.
The research started in 2018 but Covid obviously put a major obstacle in the way.
“During Covid, Sean and I spent many hours over the phone,” she recalled.
Kathryn is also involved in a booklet which will be ready for the official opening of the heritage centre.
“The booklet is entitled ‘Those were the days.’ The booklet gathers together memories of people who attended the Latin School,” she explained.
There is huge interest locally among an older generation in the whole project, according to Kathryn.
“An older generation locally is eagerly awaiting the opening of this heritage centre,” she stated. There is also interest from further afield.
“Some of the priests who were students of the Latin School are still alive in the US. We interviewed some of them when they came back home on holidays. They are unable to travel home for the opening of the heritage centre but we will send them a recording of the opening,” Kathryn explained.

The work involved in opening this new heritage centre was extensive and there was a part to play for many in the local area.
“A lot of volunteers did practical and physical work. There will also be an audio visual presentation, which I worked on myself alongside Sean O’Suilleabhain and David Grant,” she explained.
“The entire project was a labour of love,” she added.
Kathryn is keen to mention the big contribution made to education in the area by two men.
“Fr Phil McGee and Barry Hughes both played a huge role in education in this area,” she commented.
“Fr. McGee was a wonderful person. He turned the key to close the Latin School in 1974. Shortly afterwards, he turned the key to open the new Moyne Community School,” she stated.

Kathryn went on to outline the contribution made by Barry Hughes.
“Barry helped to stem the trend of young men leaving North Longford. He was a past pupil of the Latin School. Barry brought in expert speakers who spoke to local farmers. These experts advised the farmers that they could make good from their farms,” she explained.
“Both Barry and Fr Phil were passionate about education and dedicated men, who went way beyond what is required of them,” Kathryn said.
There is no doubt that Kathryn McNerney also went way beyond the call of duty in her meticulous research for the heritage centre.