Scoil Mhuire Lacken - 75 Years
Celebrating a legacy of education and community spirit
Image 1 of 3
Scoil Mhuire Lacken celebrating its 75th year imparting education to the young people of the area. Junior and Senior Infants and (at the back): Tony Riiley, principal; Jill Masterson, teacher and Nicola O’Connell, SNA.Image 2 of 3
Students and teachers at the new Scoil Mhuire Lacken in 1950.Image 3 of 3
Fifth and sixth class pupils in Scoil Mhuire Lacken were afforded opportunity to work with robotics. Roisin Keogh, teacher, showcasing their talents to work on the creation of robotics. At the back is Sorcha Coyle, Future in Perspective, a family-run company in Virginia that runs EU funded projects and Chaps Adriano, Robotics Workshop facilitator.8PHOTO: Sean McMahonThis year marks a remarkable milestone for Scoil Mhuire, Lacken, as the school proudly celebrates 75 years of education, community, and growth in the parish of Ballintemple, Co Cavan.
Since opening its doors in 1950, the school has stood as a cornerstone of local life, a place where generations of children have learned, played, and grown together.
From three schools to one community
Scoil Mhuire Lacken’s story is deeply intertwined with the history of the three smaller schools that came before it: Legaginney National School, Drumbrade National School and Wateraughey National School.
The story of today’s Scoil Mhuire began in 1950, when Legaginney and Drumbrade National Schools both closed their doors on August 4 of that year and the new Scoil Mhuire Lacken opened.
Legaginney School, located near St Michael’s Church, Potahee, and Drumbrade School, near the railway bridge in the townland of Drumbrade, had each played a vital role in educating generations of local children. Wateraughey National School, situated close to Losset Creamery, remained open for another two decades before closing on September 19, 1971.
Its pupils then transferred to Scoil Mhuire Lacken, marking the end of an era for the smaller rural schools and the beginning of a new chapter in education for the parish of Ballintemple.
Growth, change, and community
Over the past 75 years, Scoil Mhuire has continued to grow and evolve, reflecting changes in education and in Irish society.
What began as a small rural school has become a vibrant centre of learning, equipped for the needs of the modern world.
A major milestone in the school’s development came in 2006, when a €1M extension project was completed. This significant investment was a tremendous boost for the parish, providing new classrooms, a staff room, office, learning support rooms, and a General Purpose (GP) hall.
The project, which had been in planning and construction for over a year, transformed the learning environment and ensured that Scoil Mhuire could continue to meet the needs of a growing community.
The extension stands as a testament to the vision and dedication of those who worked tirelessly to secure the best possible facilities for the children of Lacken.
The school is now a six-teacher school, with four mainstream classrooms and two Special Education classrooms, as well as a General Purpose Hall, football pitch, soft outdoor play area and spacious playground. The most recent addition, a purpose-built STEAM Room, represents Scoil Mhuire Lacken’s ongoing commitment to innovation, creativity, and hands-on learning.
As former Principal Kevin Foley described it: “The STEAM Room is not a classroom, but a learning space…
Most importantly, this space at times will be pupil-led.”
That belief in child-centred, inquiry-based education continues to shape the ethos of Scoil Mhuire Lacken today. The STEAM Room has since become a defining feature of the school, a space, like the classrooms themselves, that fosters imagination, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Honouring the past, celebrating the present
As part of the 75-year celebration, the school will host a Reunion Celebration on Sunday, October 26, 2025, starting with 10am Mass at Potahee Church, followed by refreshments, tributes, music, memorabilia, and a community gathering at Scoil Mhuire, Lacken, from 11am to 2pm.
The event will provide an opportunity for past pupils, former staff, parents, and friends to reconnect, share memories, and celebrate the school’s proud legacy.
Visitors will have the chance to view old photographs, yearbooks, and memorabilia from across the decades, a reminder of how much the school and parish have achieved together.
Looking ahead with pride
While this anniversary offers a moment to reflect, it is also a time to look forward. Looking to the future, Scoil Mhuire Lacken continues to invest in providing the best possible environment for its pupils.
The school’s ambitious Playground Upgrade Project, supported by CLÁR programme, is being developed in three phases. These include the creation of an upgraded infant play area with imaginative and sensory equipment, a new eco-friendly zone featuring a polytunnel and wildlife habitats, and the installation of an AstroTurf multi-use games area to enable year-round sport and play.
This project reflects the school’s vision for active, creative learning spaces that nurture both physical development and curiosity for generations to come.