THANKS to the Church of Ireland’s Bandon Union of Parishes, the
long-time derelict former St Fintan’s National School, Gallows Hill,
Chapel Street, is set to enjoy a new lease of life as a parish centre
and facility for the wider community.The announcement, made by Cllr Andrew Coleman at the monthly meeting of Bandon Town Council, was warmly welcomed by fellow members.
Cllr Coleman told The Southern Star that from the late 18th century, there was a Roman Catholic chapel and the site for this was donated by the Earl of Bandon. The church closed in 1861.
'There was always a school on the site from around 1800 which operated up until 1882 when it was demolished and there was also a house for the principal. The present building was opened on the site in 1895 as Ballymodan Boy’s School.’
The school name was changed in 1938 and became St Fintan’s NS which provided classes from junior infants up to second class. Pupils then progressed over to Warner’s Lane, Casement Road to attend St Patrick’s School.
‘The school at Gallows Hill closed in 1992, with the amalgamation of St Fintan’s and St Patrick’s NS into one school building at the old Presentation Convent site on Convent Hill.
The former St Fintan’s NS has become derelict since, with a number of different developments planned for the site that never materialised, but overall, it became a source of concern due to its deteriorating condition, as well as some young people trespassing into it, causing serious vandalism, and holding illicit drinking parties,’ said Cllr Coleman.
Rev Denis MacCarthy, Rector of Bandon, told The Southern Star that the Union of Parishes was very cognisant of the rich heritage of the building and its site and would be sensitive to that in the development work, the aim of which was a facility in the heart of the community for the community.
Any old photographs and information about it were welcome and when completed, it was hoped to exhibit these and invite back past pupils for the opening. Enquiries are welcome at 087 2670179.
Supported
At the council meeting, Cllr Coleman supported the call from Cllr Gearoid Buckley for removal of a tree and attention to the wall of the site. He also pointed out that next year marks 400 years of worship on the site of St Peter’s Church, which includes sections of the original Bandon Town Wall.
Cllr Gillian Coughlan said the surface near the attractive archway of Kingston’s Buildings, Gallows Hill was pitted and disintegrating and asked that it be paved by the county council.
Attention to an unoccupied boarded-up site with hoarding at the inner relief road was requested by Mayor Deirdre Lane, who said it only served to lose marks for the Tidy Towns effort.
Cllr Buckley thanked town engineer Mr Charlie McCarthy and staff for doing an excellent job carrying out repairs to the playground, saying it had been made safe and clean.
Town manager Mr Kevin O’Neill said the county council would welcome expressions of interest from local groups willing to help look after the facility and it was agreed to discuss this at the next meeting.
A call on the county council to remove rubbish where fly-tipping had occurred at the end of the cul-de-sac at Castle Heights, Convent Hill, was made by Mayor Deirdre Lane and Cllr Rachel McCarthy.
They also said a lighting standard was bent there.
The engineer asked that councillors supply him with a list of locations where CCTV cameras could be deployed in an effort to tackle repeated illegal dumping.