North Longford community the driving force behind new Latin School Heritage Centre

Moyne Latin School Heritage Centre was officially opened by Longford County Council Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Garry Murtagh on Friday, May 3.

The heritage centre shares the long history of the role of Moyne in the development of education in the region. This new visitor experience provides tourism and employment opportunities in the area.

Moyne Latin School Heritage Centre was supported by Longford County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development under their Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

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The local community worked closely with Longford County Council and its Regeneration team for this project. Recognition goes to Latin School Community Centre, Dromard Tidy Towns, Dromard Area Men’s Shed, Moyne Community School and St Patrick’s National School for all their hard work as the driving force behind this project.

Work included the renovation and conversion of derelict buildings into the interpretative centre. The project also includes the recreation of the classroom environment of a hedge school using audiovisual technology. Through this work, this visitor experience tells the history of the Latin School and its impact on education in Moyne and the wider region.

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The extension of the Latin School was completed by contractor Pauric McCabe. The audiovisual system was completed by David Grant. Homebird Design are responsible for the design of LatinSchool.ie, the official website of the Moyne Latin School Heritage Centre.

The parish of Moyne has a long and proud history of education, including the many hedge schools that formed in the area.
The Latin School started in September 1897 as a two-roomed male secondary school originating from these hedge schools.
Education in the classics played an important role in the record number of priests who went from here to missionaries throughout the world. Moyne Community School was developed from the Latin School.

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Following the opening, Longford County Council Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Garry Murtagh said “It is great to see this truly impressive project now open. Credit must go to the local community for all their hard work, vision and drive to get us here today. I also thank my fellow elected members who supported this project. I encourage all local people and visitors to County Longford to come and experience the impressive Moyne Latin School Heritage Centre.”

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Longford County Council Director of Services Barbara Heslin said, “Working with local communities, Longford County Council continues to support projects which revitalise our towns and villages.

This new visitor experience is a great example of this work, bringing back previously derelict buildings into use for the benefit of the local community, with tourism and local employment opportunities.”

Moyne Latin School Heritage Centre is open on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from 12 noon to 3pm.

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