Special anniversaries celebrated at County Roscommon school

Amid all the celebrations at Drumboylan National School in North Roscommon, as it marked its 75th anniversary recently, a local man with deep connections to the primary school was also enjoying his own special anniversary.

Aidan Malone, who turns 85 this year, has served on the school’s board of management as the patron representative for the last 50 years.

It’s an incredible achievement for Aidan, who has been a special part of the school since 1975 and has attended hundreds of board of management meetings in that time.

When asked if he thought he ever would give such long service, the Drumboylan native smiled and said: “Thank God I lasted so long!” His commitment to the long-term future of Drumboylan NS was underlined during a successful campaign in the late 1970s to stave off amalgamation and retain it as a standalone school.

That campaign led all the way to Dáil Éireann and a meeting with the Minister for Education.

Although Aidan went to school in nearby Keadue as a young boy, all his five children attended Drumboylan NS, the last finishing there in 1986.

When the Roscommon Herald recently visited the school, Aidan explained that he was very proud of the many developments that had taken place there over the years, including the addition of a multipurpose room and a car park.

A builder by trade, his handyman skills have proven very valuable, and he is still always happy to lend a helping hand when required. He was also a familiar figure when it came to organising the school’s marching band, which was a very popular feature back in the day.

He has been a very active community figure over many years and central to a lot of other local development, including the establishment of Drumboylan Community Centre in the 1980s.

He is also a former member of the pastoral council and noted that plans were already underway to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the local church in five years’ time. Those plans include a very successful fundraiser, which is underway for repainting the inside of the church.

It’s no surprise that a publication to mark the 75th anniversary of Drumboylan NS includes a very special tribute to Aidan. It reads as follows:

“Drumboylan National School has been very fortunate to enjoy great support from the community it serves down through the years. Few people, if any, will have been as closely or actively connected to the school as Aidan Malone.

“Aidan has been an active member as the patron's nominee of the school board of management for nigh on 50 years. During this time, he has played a valuable role in the school's life. Aidan has been involved in organising and promoting many events over the years, from the essential fundraisers to the joyous celebrations.

“He is also invariably the first port of call if any maintenance issues arise. No job is ever too big nor too small; Aidan will always oblige and get the job done with a smile. His energy, passion and dedication to the school is evident on a continuous basis and it is customary to see him attending Cumann na mBunscol football games to support the school team, especially in finals.

“Many of these finals have ended in agonising heartbreak for our gallant teams but Aidan's dignified pride in the school could never be diminished. He has and always will be a wonderful ambassador for the school and one of its staunchest advocates. Thank you, Aidan, for your years of work and dedication. We are all very grateful for your contribution to Drumboylan National School,” concludes the tribute.

Aidan was among the 250 strong gathering at the school’s hugely successful 75th anniversary celebrations.

Principal Ann Murray, Deputy Principal Cathy Martin and staff want to acknowledge everyone who turned out for the milestone commemoration and all the volunteers who ensured the day was a great success.

Visitors came from near and far, including the UK, to an event which provided the opportunity for many people to reunite with old friends and take a trip down memory lane.

Cathy said the day’s success reflected the brilliant community spirit that is still burning brightly in Drumboylan.

The celebrations started off with a special Mass celebrated by Fr. Brendan McDonagh on the school grounds. This was followed by the launch of an anniversary publication entitled ‘A Trip Down Memory Lane’, featuring memories from pupils over the decades as well as many school photos taken down through the years.

A family fun day included many different activities including an ice-cream van, bouncy castle, sumo suits, balloon making, face painting and lots more besides.

Another big feature of the day was the ‘all-star football match’ providing an opportunity for past pupils to return to their roots and play a game of football. The celebrations finished later that evening with music in the Leitrim Inn.

The day was also marked by the presence of a former principal of Drumboylan NS, 91-year-old Micheál Shivnan.

Micheál was a member of the Roscommon minor football team that won the All-Ireland in 1951. He was also on the Roscommon senior football panel that reached the All-Ireland final in 1962.