Bandonbridge N.S.
History of our School
The origins of the school can be traced back to Ballymodan Industrial School for girls, built in 1814, which was located in Oliver Plunkett Street, Bandon. In those days the street was named Shannon Street and the school was beside Lee's Hotel, on the right side of the photo. The hotel was the last stop for Michael Collins before he was shot at Béal na Bláth.
In 1922, the boys from the school on St. Patrick’s Quay, which had been the former Methodist Church, moved to Oliver Plunkett St. The school became known as ‘Ballymodan Mixed’.
The Munster Arms Hotel purchased Ballymodan school buildings in 1964. The old school on St.Patrick’s Quay served as a furniture store for many years. The old crest can be seen on the wall.
In 1960, a new school was completed on the present site and opened with Ms. Betty Beamish as principal. The school had two teachers at the time.
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In 1967, a pre-fabricated building was erected and, with the amalgamation with Innishannon N.S., Bandonbridge became a three-teacher school.
The most recent development, completed in 2014 added two large classroom, which are ideal for the Infant classes' Aistear programmes. Offices were built for the secretary and principal with a large foyer area.
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Today the school has a staff of 22: some full-time, some part-time; including an administrative principal, eight class teachers, four special education teachers, an EAL teacher, four SNAs and a secretary, all of whom continue the tradition of dedicated service to the school.
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Our next exciting project is the construction of two special classrooms with associated quiet spaces and communal rooms. The project has appointed a design team and work has begun on the drawing up of plans.
The school was extended in 1976 with the addition of five new classrooms. The photos from the Examiner shows the school Patron, Right Rev. Dr. R. G. Purdue, the chair of the Board, Rev. D. Woodworth and the Principal, Ms. Betty Beamish.
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With the amalgamation with Brinny N.S., Bandonbridge N.S. staff increased to five teachers.
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In 2006, a new classroom, with a staffroom upstairs, was built to cater for the increasing numbers. Our photo shows the Principal Harriet Pritchard with the school Patron, Right Rev. Dr. Paul Colton.
