Mayo school's class of 1955 share golden memories 70 years on

The year was 1955 and St Colman’s College, Claremorris, had opened its doors for the first time just ten years earlier in 1945. Another batch of young and enthusiastic pupils from the area enrolled in the College that continues to play a central role in the life of the local community to this day.

It was just four years after Sean Flanagan led Mayo to two All Ireland wins in 1950 and 1951. Mayo were still very much in contention in 1955, having held Dublin to a draw in the All Ireland semi final before losing by a single point, 1-8 to 1-7, in the replay. A crowd of close on 90,000 attended the final between Kerry and Dublin with Kerry emerging winners on a scoreline of 0-12 to 1-6.

In hurling it was the golden era of Wexford, inspired by the wonderful Rackard brothers, Nicky, Bobby and Billy from Killane, when making their breakthrough in 1955 when defeating Galway by 3-13 to 2-8 and repeating that feat in 1956 with a six point win over Cork.

Last week, some members of the class of 1955 came together to share special memories on a wonderful nostalgic journey down memory lane. Fr Des Walsh, formerly of Convent Road, Claremorris, and retired PP of Williamstown, now residing in Galway, was the driving force behind the reunion to mark the 70th anniversary of that day back in September of 1955.

Roy Hession, the Corofin man who is principal of St Colman’s College, was delighted to welcome them to their old Alma Mater and show them around. It was a lovely moment in time for all of them to revisit the place in Castlegar where they all took new steps on life’s journey.

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“We had a very special evening with our visit to St Colman’s and later enjoying a wonderful meal in the Old Arch in town where we were accorded such a very special welcome,” says Cormac Hanley, a member of the class of 1955 and former Claremorris and Mayo footballer.

“Fr Des put a lot of work into organising this reunion and we are very grateful to him for that. Michael Dolan made the journey all the way from America. He is a brother of Gretta Dolan from Crossboyne and we were all delighted to meet him again after all those years.

“John Cleary of Convent Road joined us from Wicklow where he has resided for some time. John was a teacher in Tullamore for many years. (John had departed home to Wicklow before the reunion photo was taken).

“Needless to say, Mayo football was much to the fore in our conversations. John McGuinness, former Mayo goalie, was down from Dublin. Our own Johnny Farragher who played many fine games for Mayo in the 1960s was delighted to join us.

“Kevin McGrath from Coilmore, Claremorris, was spending a few weeks home from America and Martin Fitzpatrick from Ballyglass and from a family steeped in the Garrymore GAA tradition, was up from Limerick. Basil Burke from Kiltimagh, who was due to join us, was unable to make it on the evening.”

The reunion of class members of 1955 was yet another special and memorable occasion in the cherished history of St Colman’s College and its place in the hearts of so many people from the neighbouring parishes all down the years.

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Photo caption: Members of the St Colman’s entry class from 1955 met up for a memorable reunion in Claremorris last week. Back: Principal, Roy Hession, Martin Fitzpatrick (Limerick), Johnny Farragher (Claremorris), Jimmy Woolley (Galway), John McGuinness (Dublin), Cormac Hanley (Claremorris). Front: Michael Dolan (USA), Fr Des Walsh (Galway), Kevin McGrath (USA), Michael Conroy (Murneen, Claremorris). Missing from the photo are John Cleary and Basil Burke.