Hard working committee of North Longford tourism attraction express thanks for making the dream become a reality

The committee of Moyne Latin School Heritage Centre would like to express deep gratitude to all those who worked so hard to make the dream become reality. 

We thank Most Reverend Bishop Paul Connell most sincerely for blessing our new centre on the evening of Friday, May 3, and the Venerable Archdeacon Hazel Hicks who read the Gospel during the Blessing Service. 

We were honoured to welcome Mrs Joy Moorehead and her daughter, Audrey, relatives of Bishop William Henry Moorehead who studied in the Latin School 125 years ago. Thanks to Councillor Garry Murtagh, Leas Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council who officially opened the centre.

The ladies of the Latin School Committee and their generous friends prepared and served lovely food for the Meet and Greet. A sincere thanks to you, ladies for the beautifully presented, and delicious treats with tea and coffee.

Thank you for the encouragement and positive comments we have received from visitors, past pupils and past teachers. They are all appreciated.

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We thank the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise for approval of the building of the heritage centre on their property. We also thank the Diocesan Trust and Fr Peter C Dolan for their generous donations to the project. These donations helped greatly.

We thank again, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Regeneration Team in Longford County Council for their guidance and expertise along the way, and of course, for their financial assistance in the form of grants received.

A huge debt of gratitude is due to many enthusiastic and willing volunteers who put their shoulders to the wheel, too many to mention by name. They gave generously of their time and energy. Martin Doyle, local artist and designer of Cruthu, and the Men’s Shed made the Hedge School and the figures therein. 

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The volunteers came together and worked hard in great community spirit and harmony to build a centre in honour of the history of education in this small rural place and especially, the memory of those 562 men who gave their lives to spread the Gospel all over the world.

We wanted this story to be preserved and passed on, never to be forgotten by future generations. Thank you to all the contractors who worked on this project, from architects, engineers, builders, electricians, plumbers, audio visual experts. Thank you to those who researched the history of education in North Longford, Leitrim and Cavan, while the men laboured at the physical building! 

This tradition of “Volunteerism” is long in existence in this special place where the three counties and three provinces meet.

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We wish to acknowledge all the works carried out by volunteers in and around the Latin School campus in the past and not so distant past. A group of far-sighted people in the immediate neighbourhood came together to rescue the school building from dereliction and certain ruin. They were the first to ensure that its proud past would not be forgotten, that it would remain standing. 

The community put a new roof on the school, now community centre; they put a lovely new tarmac car park to the front, to name just some of the necessary works carried out.  They ran weekly Bingo to raise funds for such repairs and the upkeep of the building and surrounds; the Drama Group staged several wonderful productions over the years, to the same end. 

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In the more recent past other projects have been completed including a civic amenity area to the front, a remote working Hub, and refurbished toilet facilities. To you all, we say a huge Thank You.

A booklet, “Those were the Days”, a collection of memories was produced to mark the official opening. We want to thank again all those who shared their personal memories including a few which were not printed. Thanks to Harvest Moon printers in Killeshandra for designing the cover and for their expertise and advice. Again, thanks for the positive feedback from readers of the publication. “Those were the Days” is for sale in all the local shops around the area, and at €10, it is an enjoyable read.

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To you, the reader, we extend a warm invitation to come and see the new Heritage Centre, check it out for yourself. It is well worth a visit as you follow the “Rebel Trail”, or, perhaps just looking for a way to pass a pleasant hour or so.

 For the moment, we open 12 noon to 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays, or by appointment. Phone Joe 087 134 0132; Michael 087183 5064; Kathryn 087120 2431; Eamonn 086 106 0675.

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