Anton McNulty
childhood memories for past pupils of Saula and Bullsmouth National Schools on Achill Island came flooding back over the May Bank Holiday weekend when the two schools celebrated their centenary on May Day.
A weekend of festivities was undertaken by both schools as they invited hundreds of former pupils and teachers back to the respective schools to not only celebrate the schools’ centenary but also community life. Planning for the two centenaries began well over a year ago and many people travelled from as far away as America to be home especially for the centenary and catch up with old school mates - many of whom they had not seen for years.
It was quite apt that both schools celebrated their centenaries on the same day considering the close connections between the two villages. It was estimated that there are at least 16 couples intermarried between Saula and Bullsmouth, with many attending both celebrations.
The celebrations ran throughout the weekend with Mass in both schools on Saturday afternoon attended by the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary, who launched the centenary book in Bullsmouth and planted a commemorative tree in Saula.
Speaking at the two Masses, Archbishop Neary commented that while both villages suffered from emigration and hardships through the last century, education had always been to the forefront of the minds of the parents.
The celebrations in Saula began on the Friday night with a ‘Fáilte Abhaile’ night in Ted Lavelle’s in Cashel with music and dancing as well as the launch of the official centenary magazine. An exhibition of old photographs and roll books was also on display in the school and will be available for viewing throughout the summer. The celebrations in Saula were complete on Sunday evening with a buffet and dance in Ostan Oilean Acla with close to 300 people attending.
Kathleen Thornton, the Principal of Saula NS told The Mayo News that they were delighted with how the celebrations run over the weekend.
“A lot of organising went into the celebrations over the past 12 months and we are delighted with how they went and we would like to thank all involved in making them a success. It was so good to see all the people who travelled and to see the past generations back in the school again after many years,” she said.
In Bullsmouth, a banquet was held in Ostán Oileán Acla on Saturday night with up to 300 people attending and the following day there was an exhibition and slide show in the school.
Former school principal Pat Conway said the weekend was a huge success and also congratulated Saula on their centenary.
“The weekend was very successful and it was wonderful to see all the people of the village coming together. There was a lot of discussion regarding the old pictures especially the old football ones. We were blessed with the weather and it really made the weekend a huge success,” he said.
