Principal – Maebh Rehill Phone 049 9522802
The first school in Milltown was on a site at the junction at the top of Monea. It was a head school. It was started around the year circa 1824. The school was owned and run by the head master Mr. Edward Rudden.
The new school was built after that in 1863. The new site was purchased from Mr. Charles Brady and since then the school has remained on the same site. It was a two teacher school.
The schools of Drumkeril was merged into Milltown in the early 1960’s with Staghall and Corcanados in 1973 and became a three teacher school.
New Extension The Minister opens €377,000 extension at Milltown NS 2010
Conor McGovern, the oldest child at Milltown NS, presented Bishop Leo O’Reilly with a piece of Erne Crystal, crafted by Seamus McConnell, during the official opening of the school extension.
The new facilities, which include an expansive general purposes room, were officially opened by the Minister for Agriculture, Brendan Smith, TD and the blessing was performed by Bishop Leo O’Reilly.
Milltown NS is a three-teacher school and also includes a resource teacher and a special needs assistant.
There are 60 pupils in the school and there is a projected intake of around 22 for the next school term. Minister Smith said the superb new facilities are now in place for pupils and teachers.
He said he was delighted to see so many people present from the parish of Drumlane and their presence confirmed that the primary school is indeed the corner stone of this vibrant rural community.
“As a Cavan man, I am particularly proud of the invaluable contribution that small parish schools, such as Milltown NS, make to the local community.
“Furthermore, the wonderful, lively, traditional music and singing that we enjoyed earlier is proof that being a small school is no barrier to nurturing a rich culture of music.” He paid particular tribute to the creativity of the principal, Philip Clarke and the school had tapped into superb musical talent over the years.
The school has adopted as its motto, the Irish seanfhocal – Ní neart go cur le cheile (unity is strength).
“We recognise that there is nothing as powerful and effective in bringing any project to fruition as a group of local people, imbued with a strong sense of place, working in collaboration.”
Philip Clarke said that the facilities in place today is the culmination of a lot of hard work, commitment and support from the Board of Management, parents, school staff, public representatives, the builder Peter Maguire and the architect, Michael Fitzpatrick, Enable Ireland and the general community in Drumlane.
The principal added that the Drumlane achievement clearly illustrated the importance of co-operation in our education system.
That means co-operation and teamwork between, staff, students, Board of Management, parents, the Patron Bishop Leo O’Reilly, the Department of Education and their Inspectors, Public Representatives and the wider community.
The class ratio over currently stands at 20/1, but is expected to be slightly higher next year.
Apart from the general purposes room, the new complex also includes a new staff room, office and new toilets for the teachers. The new extension also includes a special sterile area with accompanying toilet facilities.
The new extension was constructed by Peter Maguire, who built the original classrooms in 1988.
Philip Clarke said the additional space in the large GP room will facilitate rehearsals for plays, the children can learn music as a complete group and it will also be used for PE. The GAA coach can also do ball skills with the pupils in the hall on a wet day
