Glenmaquin National School celebrates major expansion

Glenmaquin National School is preparing to officially open the new classroom it has added thanks to the support of the strong Presbyterian congregation of Manorcunningham.

Glenmaquin is one of nine schools maintained by the Presbyterian Church. It is a small two teacher school situated about five miles from Letterkenny in a rural area. The school was established in 1865 and as part of its 150th birthday celebrations in 2016 it was visited by His Excellency Michael D Higgins President of Ireland.

The school is located in a part of East Donegal which has a strong Presbyterian tradition and serves members of its congregations in Convoy, Raphoe, Letterkenny as well as Manorcunningham living there.

Like all small rural schools in recent decades the school community had many challenges securing its very survival.

However, with over 150 years of tradition, with local families attending it for three, four and five generations, there is a great incentive to the community to overcome whatever challenges that comes its way.

This continuity of families attending for generations was confirmed by research featured in a specially published book celebrating the school’s century and a half birthday.

The new extension at Glenmaquinn N.S. which will be officially opened next week.

Speaking earlier this week the school’s Chairman of the Board of Management John Kelly, explained that following extensive lobbying, cajoling and begging by the staff, board of management and the parents as well as the wider community a new state of the art classroom has now been completed and will be officially opened on June 18 at 11am.

“This may appear a humble achievement when compared to the huge building projects taken up by the large urban schools, but to put it in perspective, it doubled the floor space of this ancient seat of learning. Undoubtedly this is a huge achievement for a school with not much more than a dozen families.

“Modern education very much recognises parental right to choice. It is great to see schools being established all over the country that meet the religious and secular choices of families. More and more families can avail of educational opportunities that reflect their ethos,” Mr Kelly said.

Glenmaquin is a faith-based school. All children and families are welcome. (Among its 27 students are eight children from Ukraine.) The school community itself has a Presbyterian ethos, something which it values and wants to retain for four or five more generations.

“The new classroom is testament to the resilience of a small minority community in making a significant achievement. This we intend to celebrate on June 18 when we hold our official opening and dedication of this splendid extension,” he added.

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