Opening of Ard Scoil Mhuire in Derrybeg/Gweedore by Taoiseach Éamon de Valera

[graphic].
Bibliographic Details
Main Creator: Tynan, Denis, 1923-2010, photographer
In collection: Tynan Photographic Collection
Format: Photo
Language:English
Published / Created: 4 April 1959.
Subjects:
Notes:In our catalogue, this photo was originally titled "Members of the clergy and Irish Army before crowd, Co. Donegal" and the date was given as ca. 1950-1960. Research by our Flickr Commons users established that this was the first Gaeltacht secondary school to be opened under a Roinn na Gaeltachta grant scheme. Ard Scoil Mhuire, in Derrybeg/Gweedore was opened on 4 April 1959 by then Taoiseach, Éamon de Valera, with a blessing by Bishop McNeely of Raphoe, with army representation from De Valera's aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Brennan, and Garda representation from Inspector Sheehan and Superintendent Convery.

Additional information about this photograph is available on the National Library of Ireland's Flickr Commons photostream http://www.flickr.com/photos/nlireland/25275767657/

Physical description: 1 glass negative : b&w ; 6.2 x 8.8 cm.

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Arrangement:Item
Day 4 of Tynan week
A really interesting shot from todays Tynan image the significance of which the NLI cataloguer appears to have missed, probably due to her youth? Eamon deValera in conversation with a cleric accompanied by a politician, an aide-de-camp and the local Garda Superintendent before what appears to be the pupils of a boys school. I will be watching with bated breath to see if we can be as successful in identifying the other participants and the occasion?
Following initial investigations by BeachcomberAustralia, sharon.corbet was able to identify the occasion, and Carol Maddock to corroborate it. In the process the participants were also confirmed. In short, this photo was taken on 4 April 1959 at the opening of the first Gaeltacht secondary school to be opened under a Roinn na Gaeltachta grant scheme. Ard Scoil Mhuire, in Derrybeg/Gweedore was opened on by Taoiseach, Eamon de Valera, with a blessing by Bishop McNeely of Raphoe, with army representation from Dev's aide-de-damp, Lt. Col. Sean Brennan and Garda representation from Insp Sheehan and Supt Convery....
Photographers: Denis Tynan 1923 - 2010
Date: Catalogue range c.1950-1960. Almost certainly 4 April 1959.
NLI Ref: NPA TYN34
You can also view this image, and many thousands of others, on the NLI’s catalogue at catalogue.nli.ie

Comments

 
Dr. Ilia
fantastic
Posted: 08.02.2018  
 
sharon.corbet
Based on some of [https://www.flickr.com/photos/beachcomberaustralia]'s "see alsos", I think this is Scoil Mhuire in Derrybeg, Gweedore. There's a recording from the opening of the school on Youtube, which gives the date 4th April 1959 for the official opening by then Taoiseach Éamon de Valera.
Posted: 08.02.2018  
 
ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/scorbet] That has got to be it !
Posted: 08.02.2018  
 
Carol Maddock
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/scorbet] [https://www.flickr.com/photos/beachcomberaustralia] Yep! Saturday, 4 April 1959...
Gaeltacht Secondary School Opened And Blessed Historic Occasion In Derrybeg Ard Scoil Mhuire, Derrybeg, the first secondary school to qualify for a grant under the new scheme of Roinn na Gaeltachta to promote secondary school training in Irish speaking areas, was formally opened on Saturday by An Taoiseach, Mr. Eamon de Valera. The ceremony was attended by a large gathering of clergy and laity from the parishes of Gweedore, Annagry and Cloghaneely who came to mark an event of great significance in the development of Gaeltacht amenities. The school was blessed by his Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. McNeely, Bishop of Raphoe. The splendidly equipped college, was built and furnished at a cost of £11,000 and in honour of the occasion the building and grounds were decorated with bunting and flags. An Taoiseach, who was accompanied by his A.D.C, Lieut. Col. Sean Brennan, on arrival inspected a guard of honour of Gardai under Inspector J. Sheehan. Chief Supt. M. Walsh, Letterkenny, was represented by Supt. C. V. Convery, Milford...
(Donegal Democrat, 10 April 1959)
Posted: 08.02.2018  
 
Carol Maddock
Which man in uniform is Dev's A.D.C.? Chap holding glove in left hand?
Posted: 08.02.2018  
 
sharon.corbet
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/47297387@N03] That guy seems to be wearing a Garda badge on his cap in this photo, so I think it's the chap turned away from us. Here he is with Dev 12 years later for reference. ETA: Though in the later photo he also has a pointy badge...
Posted: 08.02.2018  
 
Swordscookie
The man on the right without the greatcoat is Superintendent Convery therefore he with the greatcoat is the aide-de-camp! The man on Devs right looks like Michael O'Morain who was later Minister for Justice.
Posted: 08.02.2018  
 
ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq
Streetview ... STREETVIEW ... WE WANT STREETVIEW !! Having no luck finding this on the map.
Posted: 08.02.2018  
 
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/beachcomberaustralia] Streetview perhaps?
Posted: 08.02.2018  
 
guliolopez
I went looking for modern views and street views too. The only ones I found accompanied appalling headlines. I stopped looking.
Posted: 08.02.2018  
 
Inverarra
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/39191857@N05/] Would agree that it looks very like the FF TD, Micheál O Móráin.
Posted: 12.02.2018  
 
sharon.corbet
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/swordscookie] [https://www.flickr.com/photos/75556178@N05] I did find an Irish Times article from Monday 6th April, which implied that the then Minister for the Gaeltacht Mr. Michael Moran was present. However, they did misidentify the Bishop of Raphoe as Dr. McKeavey, so I'm not sure how accurate they were.
Posted: 12.02.2018  
 
Bernard Healy
I'm pretty sure that's NOT Bishop McNeely en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_MacNeely#/media/File:Willia... I know it's a black & white photo, but I'm almost certain that the clergyman is a regular priest dressed in black, rather than a bishop who would have either been in purple or (less likely) black with purple trim. My guess is that it was the local parish priest welcoming Dev or some other local cleric who was asked to serve as 'chaplain' to An Taoiseach for the day. (That is still done on formal occasions - when An Taoiseach or the President, or even their Aides de Camps formally attend a church service, one of local clergy may be assigned to accompany them & sit with them for the service as their 'chaplain'. ) Yup - see this pic on the same day - the Bishop is visible as well as our priest. catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000740416/HierarchyTree
Posted: 23.07.2020