This article is from page 39 of the 2011-06-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 39 JPG
A MILESTONE will be marked in West Clare later this month when Baltard National School celebrates its 100th anniversary.
On June 24, locals in Baltard, Doonbeg, will gather at the school for a Mass to mark the occasion. It will be followed by what promises to be a memorable evening of nostalgia. Old roll books will be wheeled out, while photographic exhibitions will also form a central part of the celebrations.
Past pupils, parishioners and all those who have been associated with the school over the years have been invited to the event.
Over the years, the school has been refurbished and in recent times, new technology has been added including interactive projectors and computer systems.
A booklet is being compiled for the occasion and anyone associated with the school over the years is invited to contribute to this.
The school has reduced in size over the years. When it first opened, there were up to 100 students. There are just nine students enrolled at the moment. The event will be hosted by the school’s board of management. Chairman Michael Haugh said, “In more recent years we have been struggling to keep going. We lost some young people moving on to other parishes.
“We have to try to increase the numbers. The catchment area is not big. We are depending on people to come in from outside. It has been a problem to keep the school going and to promote it,” he added.
“Nobody wants to see the school closing. It is a focal point. It is like a junction in a city there is so much traffic passing,” he added.
Anyone wishing to contribute should contact the school.