Rusheen was en fete on Friday June 25th, 2010 for the official opening of an extension to the 125 year old local national school. Julianne O’Leary acted as M.C. at the celebrations and welcomed Minister Batt O’Keeffe and his wife, Mary (whose mother, Abina McSweeney, was a past pupil of the school); Mrs. Sheila Delaney, who was enrolled with Abina McSweeney in 1920, and past Principal, Pat Quill. The original opening of Rusheen N.S. co-incided with the foundation of U.C.C. and the G.A.A.; the re-election of Charles Stewart Parnell and the Purchase of the Land Acts. It has always nurtured an interest in education, sport, national freedom and rural affairs.
Marie Twomey, Cathaoirleach of the Board of Management, rejoiced in the school’s development from the original two roomed building with toilets at the end of the yard, to the present school, that includes four classrooms, a learning support room, a resource room, staff room and office. Gerard O’Brien, Cathaoirleach of the Parents’ Association, said that the parents of Rusheen were delighted to help with fundraising for the school improvements, academic and social events. The fundraisers include an annual Table Quiz, Bring and Buy Sale and Garden Fete at Leades House. Principal, Gerard Coakley, himself a past pupil of Rusheen recalled the hunger for education that prompted the building of Rusheen N.S. (at the exorbitant cost of £459!) in 1885. He traced the family links from the first teachers, John Ambrose and Eliza O’Riordan to their current descendants. John Ambrose’s annual salary was £35.00 and he and Ms. O’Riordan taught 213 children between them in the early years. The school was threatened with closure at one point, due to low enrolment, but now has 91 children on roll. Mr. Coakley thanked the Department of Education and Minister O’Keeffe for the €196,500 grant that has funded the extension and the purchase of land for the school garden. He also paid tribute to Fr. Corkery P.P. Aghinagh, for his financial report and co-operation, the builder John O’Riordan, for finishing the work well, on time and within budget; the dedicated and resourceful staff at Rusheen and the courteous, well-behaved and talented children. He rejoiced that, while Rusheen has lost its creamery, shop and forge, its school is stronger than ever. Fr. Corkery likened the staff of Rusheen N.S. to good shepherds who balance the spiritual needs of their students with the teaching of the three Rs and much more. Minister O’Keeffe said that rural schools support family tradition and are sustained and maintained by the whole community. He acknowledged the impact and input of the Church in education, providing land, funding, guidance and a love of education. He said that teachers in rural schools are leaders in the community, fostering pride of place and moral fibre in their pupils.
Presentation pictures included copies of the 1920 school register, containing the enrolment details of Julia Cotter (Mrs. Delaney), Abina McSweeney (Mrs. Abbey Murphy) and John O’Callaghan and an early school photograph in which they are all included. The ceremonies concluded when all the children performed the military two-step for the delighted audience. The school remained open far into the night as past pupils of Rusheen returned to peruse the school records, old photographs and old school books and admire the wonderful new facilities.
