The Origin and History of Rineen N.S.

 

Rineen N.S was established in 1869, constructed from fine cut-stone quarried locally. It stands as good today as it did the first day. It is a unique example of architectural craftsmanship and it is inside this school we experience the joys and challenges of learning everyday.

From post-famine times, through World War I, the Civil War and World War II Rineen N.S has survived. It was built in 1869 and is located half way between Miltown Malbay and Lahinch on the side of the main road linking both towns. It is in a rural setting surrounded by farming activities.

The townland of Rineen is in the parish of Kilmannaheen, in the Barony of Corcomroe. The placename Rineen means “Small Point”- Rineen as Gaeilge. Rineen School is situated beside the Rineen river, which rises in the nearby Tor hill. The river forms the boundary with the parish of Kilfarboy, in the Barony of Ibrickane. The school, though on the Rineen side of the boundary is in the parish of Kilfarboy as it was built on the Fitzgerald estate.

 Rineen National School, is one of the most distinctive looking National Schools in the Country and one of the few, from nineteenth century , still in everyday ise for its original purpose.

 In 1864, application was made to the Commissioners of Education, for permission to build the school. The inspector was notified of the approximate number of pupils who would avail of a school- 60 males and 60 females.

In the mid 1800’s the children from the catchment area of Rineen School were travelling every morning to the nearby school in Moy approx. 3 miles away. In the late 1860s a priest living in Miltown Malbay thought it would be a great idea to have a school at the Miltown Malbay side of the Rineen River.

 He called a meeting and decided to approach the landlord’s agent and ask him for a site to build a school. The agent refused to give a site. The priest asked the neighbouring landlord, Fitzgerald, for a site to build a school. Fitzgerald agreed to give the site so the local people went to work and the present school was built in 1869 all by voluntary labour.

Mr Molohan of Ballyvaskin was appointed the First Manager of the school and Mr Tom Malone was appointed principal teacher with Miss Hehir as his assistant. In the early years there was 104 pupils on the roll. Around the year 1930 the manager’s post transferred to the parish priest of Miltown Malbay, Canon Murphy.