A Voluntary Non-Profit Organisation Serving the Local Community CHY 19910 Incorporating Sub Aqua Diving and Kayaking
Old Quay School / Scoil na Seanchéibhe
From a storage container in the quay yard in Ballina in 2013, we moved to The Old Quay School and undertook the monumental job of refurbishing the schoolhouse from it’s derelict state.
Ó choimeádán stórála i gclós na céibhe i mBéal an Átha in 2013, bhogamar go Scoil na Seanchéibhe agus thugamar faoin jab ollmhór an teach scoile a athchóiriú óna staid thréigthe.
The ‘Old’ Quay School, formerly known as Quignamanger National School, was built in 1885. It was built on land leased to the parish by the Cowley family. It closed its doors as a school in May 1983, and apart from 2 years of occupation in 2003 to 2005, it remained unused. By 2013, it had become unsightly. We then approached St. Muredach’s Trust with the aim of securing a long term lease and restoration of this centennial building for use as a base. Every effort as been made to retain the heritage of this old building.
Tógadh ‘Old’ Quay School, ar a dtugtaí Scoil Náisiúnta Quignamanger roimhe seo, sa bhliain 1885. Tógadh í ar thalamh a thug muintir Cowley don pharóiste. Dhún sí a doirse mar scoil i mBealtaine 1983, agus taobh amuigh de 2 bhliain slí bheatha i 2003 go 2005, ní raibh sé in úsáid. Faoi 2013, bhí sé mímhaiseach. Chuaigh muid i dteagmháil le hIontaobhas Naomh Muredach ansin agus é mar aidhm aige léas fadtéarmach agus athchóiriú a fháil ar an bhfoirgneamh céad bliain seo le húsáid mar bhunáit. Rinneadh gach iarracht oidhreacht an tseanfhoirgnimh seo a choinneáil. Tá sé liostaithe ar Fhardal Náisiúnta na hOidhreachta Ailtireachta.
Last Day of School, May 1983
The building is listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
Above and below: The Old Quay School in January 2013.
Start of the big clean up. February 2013.
Restoration of the roof and windows. June 2015.
Above and below: Resurfacing the yard with materials sponsored by Coldchon Limited (Thanks Sean Og). March 2016
Spring 2018
March 2018
Above and below: The back of the building. January 2013
The back of the school.
The back of the school.
The old red ridge tile originally on the roof. It has been replaced by identical ridge tiles.
Restoration of the roof using old style slates. June 2015.
‘Room 1’ as we found it in January 2013.
‘Room 1’ in June 2013
‘Room 1’ in 2017 with dampness emanating from the walls leading to new timber being installed.
New timber surround.
The hallway as we found it in 2013.
The hallway with a kitchenette installed. Summer 2017.
Above and below, ‘Room 2’ as we found it. January 2013.
”Room 2′ with lockers being built. (Thanks Kevin).
‘Room 2’ with the floor restored. and wooden shelving installed. June 2017
‘Room 3’ as we found it, damp and cold inside, 2014. Below, February 2017.
2017
2017
Above and below, the Old Quay School early last century, around 1910.
Previous students
Previous students
In 2021 The Heritage Council financially supported restoration work of the traditional wooden windows. Work was performed by Carrabine Joinery and supervised by Conservation Architect Mark Stephens.
September 2021 after restoration of the windows and painting of the school.
River Moy Search & Rescue Ballina 