The National School system began in Ireland in 1831. There is a long history of education in Ballinameen village. It is noted that a Hedge School ran in Ballinameen village as far back as 1824 with a total of 75 students on it’s roll.

Fast forward to 1844 and Ballinameen had its first official National School (Roll Number 4217) sanctioned in November 1844. “£4.15 was sanctioned for the provision of school requisites and books for 200 children.” While a school accommodating 200 stood in Ballinameen at this time it is also noted that a second school also ran in Ballinameen village at this time. In 1845, this school was also taken on as a National School and officially called Knockglass National School. It stood a few yards away from Ballinameen National School. This is a staggering figure to note that in Pre-Famine times Ballinameen was a very populous area. Such was large enrolment numbers in the area that in 1859 a third school was set up in the village – “A Female School” (Roll Number 8292). In 1862 the school’s enrolment figures in the three different schools stood at:

• Ballinameen School – 167 pupils
• Knockglass School – 132 pupils
• Female School – 240 pupils

It seems unimaginable that over 500 students could have been in receipt of education in Ballinameen village at one time. It would be prudent to note that while the enrolment figures reflect a high level of students – it is hard to gauge what the daily attendance would have been in the schools.

When in 1897 a new school is erected in Ballinameen (At what now is the site of the local Community centre), it brought the boys and girls schools under the one roof. A dividing wall at the front and back underlined their separate identities. It wouldn’t be until 1898 that students were enrolled in the school – 250 students in total. In time the two schools would merge into one under a new Roll Number 14925.

We fast forward to 1967 and the year that the “New School” is opened. The school has remained on this site since 1967. We are delighted that over the coming year or two the school will be getting some redevelopment, which will hopefully sustain the school for many years to come.