welcome to the greencastle parish website
LATEST UPDATES
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School opened its doors for the first time in September 1980. It is located on The Crockanboy Road, close to the village and has space for approximately 140 pupils. The school was constructed following the closure of a number of small primary schools in the parish and presently provides for the pupils in the parish of Greencastle and for pupils in the Rouskey area of Gortin Parish.
The schools that closed following the amalgamations were; Broughderg, Cashel, Crouck and Greencastle itself. Aughnamerrigan closed at Halloween 1980.
Our Lady of Lourdes The school had a teaching complement of Principal plus five teachers at the time, and Mr. Peter Anthony McCullagh (the school’s first Principal) was assisted by Maria Bradley, Alice Keenan, Sarah Warnock, Catherine Donnelly and Rose O’Hagan.
Peter Anthony retired in 1986 and was replaced by Mr Jimmy Kelly who served as Principal up until his retirement in 1996.
Mr. Kelly was replaced by the present Principal Mr. Noel McGinn. The teaching staff has seen many changes over the past 27 years and currently is as follows; Noel McGinn (Principal), Diane McCann (Vice Principal), Grainne Conway, Lorraine Devlin and Marjorie McElroy.
Structurally the school has undergone several changes since it was first built. A new entrance and office areas were added in 2000 / 2001 and the toilet areas and internal appearance of the school were upgraded in 2003 / 2004. A new mobile classroom came on site in 2001 as part of a review of temporary classroom provision.
The school has enjoyed many achievements over the past twenty seven years and continues to provide a safe and caring environment to all in its care. One of the major highlights took place during its 25th Anniversary celebrations when the Year 7 pupils and their teacher Mrs. Diane McCann, produced a GAA Cookbook which sold all two thousand copies. The proceeds of more than £9,000 were donated to The Cormac Trust, a charity set up in memory of the late former Tyrone captain Cormac McAnallen.
The Catholic Ethos is central to the life of the school and permeates all activities that take place within it. The Catholic Faith and way of life are celebrated in real and meaningful ways. Church feast days and festivals are given the prominence they deserve and special recognition is given to Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
The school is more than just a building within the community. It is a vibrant and living example of the health of the community and long may it continue to be so.

0