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ST. JOSEPH’S SPECIAL SCHOOL, THE EARLY YEARS
by Tom Kenny
On October 28th 1961, the following letter appeared in the Connacht Tribune --- “Sir, Educational facilities for mentally handicapped children are entirely inadequate in this country and except for the excellent work of the religious orders, the problem would be of much greater magnitude……………. Would anybody be interested in doing something for mentally handicapped children in Galway? Signed PARENT OF A MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILD”
The letter was written by Seán Keane who was looking for what all parents want for their children, a chance for them to reach their full potential, whether they are handicapped or not. He got no reply so he wrote again, this time in answer to his own letter. This prompted some more letter writers to contribute and then some editorials were published which highlighted the growing awareness of the needs of mentally handicapped children in Galway.
The National Association for Mentally Handicapped contacted the local branch of the INTO to see if they might set up a ranch in Galway. Mick Rafter (Chairman) and Mícheal McSweeney (Secretary) took up the challenge, set up a temporary committee and organised a public meeting, which decided to set up a school for these children. Mrs. Crowe offered the use of her house, St. Joseph’s in Newcastle, which was next door to the Association’s chairman, Kevin O’Rourke. Two rooms were converted and the school opened with 13 children on January 27th, 1964 for two hours every morning.
Initially, an experienced Montessori teacher, Chris Conneally was acting principal. The Department appointed Mary McGagh as principal, but she moved on after a short time and Chris took over again. Other members of staff were Brenda Keane, Ray McGough and Ann Brennan. School transport was a problem until Joan McNicholl and Imelda Carroll organised a rota of voluntary drivers. From April 1st, 1967, transport costs were paid by the Department.
In 1965, a site was bought on Snipe Avenue from a Mr. Naughton and here they put up a three-room school constructed from prefabs. People thought they were awful but inside “Joy was contagious”. The Farmer’s Journal reported “St. Joseph’s School is a very special school. Last year, classes were held in a rented room, this year they are in temporary wooden buildings and next year or the year after, they will be held in a new permanent building. But no matter where they are held, St. Joseph’s will always have its gay and happy atmosphere which comes from patient, purposeful devotion on the part of its staff and a happy loving response from the children”.
That same year the Holy Family School opened in Renmore and from then on Snipe Avenue concentrated on working with moderately handicapped children. Everything was child centred, the school gradually extended its services to children throughout the county. In the 1980’s, some pupils took part in the Special Olympics. Snipe Avenue was now too small so a search began for a new premises and thanks to incessant pressure on the authorities and local politicians, a new school was sanctioned in 1990 on Thomas Hynes Road. The staff then came under a different pressure “When are we moving, when are we moving?” and John would ask if he could help carry the desks. The move final happened in June 1993.
Since then, the new school has been give resources to deal with pupils with autism, a social outreach with Coláiste Iognáid had been set up, new classrooms have been added and many new activities have been introduced. The school has gone from strength to strength and several years ago they also added on a garden and a playground with equipment bespoke to the needs of the 79 pupils currently attending. There are now plans for a further extension. Under the guidance of school principals Mary McGagh, Chris Conneelly, Breda Dolan, Mary Cunningham and Sarah McGinley, St. Joseph’s has provided a vital service for the community over the last sixty years.
On this Saturday, the 14th, they will celebrate their significant anniversary starting at noon with the pupils parading around the neighbourhood, attending a special show by Paris Bubbles and planting a tree. There will be some speeches and if anyone, particularly parents of past pupils, would like to attend, simply contact the school at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Our photographs today show the original prefabs that made up the school in Snipe Avenue, some of the children playing outside the school, and Chris Conneely who did so much to make the school what it is today.
May joy always be contagious in St. Joseph’s Special School.