History of Kilbarron National School

Kilbarron National School forms part of a continuous history of primary schools dating back over 300 years. The present school building, located on the Belleek Road was built in 1983.

Prior to 1983 the school was situated in Church Avenue, close to St. Anne’s Church in Ballyshannon. Primary schools have been located on Church Avenue for over 300 years. In 1718 a schoolhouse, for the instruction of poor children, was built by Archdeacon Michael Hewetson of St. Anne’s Church of Ireland. This school stood on the site of the later Sexton’s House, inside the church grounds, and like the church was roofed with shingles. The Sexton’s House which later stood to the left of the main gate into the cemetery, has been demolished in the recent reconstruction of St. Anne’s Hall and today forms part of the outer area at the hall.

In 1831 the national school system was set up in Ireland and the Protestant parochial school was opened in Church Avenue. Thomas Elliott was the school master and there were 84 students attending. The curriculum included reading, writing and arithmetic, what were known as the 3 R’S. This school was funded by the Robinson Fund, the Rector, the parish and the students who paid from one shilling to one shilling and sixpence per quarter. William Allingham (1824-1889), the well- known poet, attended primary school in Church Avenue in what was known as Wray’s School where the principal subject was Latin.

Kilbarron National School opened in 1871 and was altered and enlarged in 1901. This school was located in what today is St. Anne’s Hall and many members of the present community attended this school. There have been a number of amalgamations into Kilbarron National school including Mullinashee School which was located in the grounds of the Presbyterian church on the Mall, Cavangarden School and Kinlough School.

The decision to build a new Kilbarron School on a greenfield site on the Belleek Road was the end of an era for schools in Church Avenue.