A celebration of remembrance in Offaly remembers a school which closed over 50 years ago

AS part of the Heritage Week celebrations, which continue this week, a small group gathered on Ballinree Lane, Killyon on Wednesday evening August 14^th to celebrate the Feast day of St Liadhain, the Abbesse of Killyon, and also to celebrate the restoration work on the water pump which is opposite Killyon NS.
Those in attendance were all neighbours and friends and local to the area. Some had attended the school which closed its doors for the last time in June 1973, others remembered their parents and their relatives who attended the school as well as the teachers who taught there.
The organiser of this lovely community event was Catherine Molloy, herself a local too who thanked all those for their attendance. Catherine gave an informative history of St Liadhain, the restored council water pump which dates back to 1901, the role of the Board of Works in the sinking of the Well, pump erection and annual maintenance, remarking that “this is our heritage and we should be protecting, celebrating and honouring it”.
Joe Dooley, who was on a visit home from Texas, USA, read H. Dunne's 1974 poem - Naomh Liadhain - to the attentive ear of all present. The very talented Dooley sisters from Rath provided the lovely fitting music. Aoibhe, Meibh and Navine came first in the Senior threesome in the recently held Fleadh Ceol na hEireann while their sister Fianait was a member of the U-18 four hand reel group which took second place.
Mick Spain, Maureen Carroll, Joe Dermody and Finbar Spain along with those assembled, shared school stories about the local gander stone while enjoying some refreshments.
Local priest Fr John Moorehead celebrated St Liadhain’s Feast day with a blessing on the water pump and the people present, along with all those gone to their eternal rest. Fr Moorehead remarked how the pump has played its role as a place of connection and health that has shaped the local community over time.
The evening drew to an end with Bernie Spain reading her poem “The school water pump” followed by everyone joining together in singing The Offaly Rover and some even enjoyed a dance.
Catherine went on to thank Offaly County Council supervisor Billy Dooley, Eoin Mannion Offaly Coount Council, Amanda Pedlow, Heritage Officer, neighbours and friends who helped to make the lovely pleasant Heritage event a success.