Cork-based archaeologist Enda O’Flahety documents what remains of the desolate buildings in a photography project aimed at capturing the long decline of rural Ireland.
O’Flaherty began the project last year after coming upon an abandoned schoolhouse during a work field trip and realising that few modern visual records of such buildings exist.
Recently he featured the old Cloghoula National School. There is a good description of the architectural features of the school, as well as a number of photos. The article can be seen here (or just click on the photo below)
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The school dates from 1802 (and not 1868 as described in the article). Not sure of when it was decommissioned, but by 1950 it was being used as a petrol station.
[Note: Enda states below that the the school was not in the 1840s OSI map … he is correct so maybe 1902 was referring to a different school in Cloghoula … 1802 reference comes from Noel Buckley in the Corkman]
It is a protected structure according to Cork County Council [#01252 ref 2009]
It is currently for sale for a price of €14,000. [see daft.ie]. Planning restrictions and cleanup of the petrol station site may have something to do with the price being so low :-(.
In 2012, it was described as an eyesore by Cllr. Noel Buckley, and should be delisted [#ref the Corkman]
Information page for Cloghboola School, Drishane, Co. Cork (1937-1938) by Seán Ó Dochartaigh
Seen from the air on Google Maps
2018: School’s out: One man visited 240 abandoned Irish schools on camera with striking results – Enda released his book – Deserted Schoolhouses of Ireland is published by Collins Press (€24.99)
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Jim ‘the dancer’ Dennehy
Teacher Jim Dennehy known as ‘Jim the Dancer’ taught in Cloghuola N.S. around 1916 [1], and probably for 20 years before that also.
Marriage of James Dennehy and Ellen Buckley on July 31st 1898 at St. Peter & Paul’s Church in Cork, by James J Burke C C; He a teacher from Millstreet, son of Daniel Dennehy, a farmer; She from Keam, daughter of Timothy Buckley a farmer.; In the presence of William J Hegarty and ????
Children: Bridget (1899 Keame), Hanna (1900 Keam), Catherine (1903, Keam), Nora (1904, Keam), Daniel (1906, Keam), Margaret (1908, Keam, died at 3 months – debility from birth bronchitis) , Timothy (1910, Keam)
1901 census – James is 37 and Ellen 31. Living with Ellie’s parents and sister. at Caherdowney. States that James was born in Co. Kerry.
1911 census – James is 47 and Ellen 40. Living at Caherdowney – 4 daughters and two sons, one child deceased. Living with three Buckleys (Ellen’s family) and two servants.
The family moved to Cork some time later where Jim died:
Death of James D Dennehy on December 17th 1934 at 10 Upper Janemount Sunday’s Well Cork; 71 years old; married; National Teacher; arterio silerces myocarditis, heart failure; Ellen Dennehy widow present at death 10 Upper Janemount [GMaps]
Ellen lived for another 33 years after her husband died:
Death of Ellen Dennehy of 10 Upper Janemount Sunday’s Well at St. Patrick’s Hospital Cork on December 7th 1967; widow; 97 years; widow of a teacher; senile decay, cardiac failure, 5 months in hospital;
Does anyone have any more information on him?
[ancestry: James Dennehy]
[ancestry: Ellie Buckley]
This poem is about him:
Jim the dance
will go to France
and poor Martin will be wailing
and the bloody old fool
will lose his school
on account of
An dtuigeann tú Gaelinn?
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Other teachers:
John Doherty (paddy’s brother) lived on Macroom road, before the Grotto.
??? Moynihan
Annabel Reen in more recent times
Hi Michael. Thank you for featuring the article. Just to note that the school building cannot date to 1802 as is not marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey sheet which dates 1837-42. Although I could be wrong about 1868, 1802 would seem to be an error also. I wonder if anyone out there has a firm date for the building?