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Vocational Education in Killenaule
Scoil Ruain
Inné, Inniu & Amárach
Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
Vocational Education has been a feature of life in Killenaule for many years. As far back as the 1920's a school was established at Knockavardagh under the auspices of South Tipperary Vocational Education Committee. Classes were held in a building which also served as a Courthouse. This school provided a two year course of "Continuation Education" and included such subjects as Cookery, Needlework, Woodwork, Mechanical Drawing and Rural Science, as well as the ordinary subjects like Irish, ,English and Mathematics etc. The Principal of the school was the late Mr. Seamus O'Bric , whose drive and initiative provided the impetus that ensured the success of the venture.
Mr. Séamus O Bric
Below is a tribute to Mr. Seamus O Bric in the Gaelic Irish tongue, of which he was a native speaker and always a proud exponent. An t-Uasal Séamus 0 Bric Príomh Oide ó 1936 go 1964,. a fuair bás ar an 14ú Bealtaine 1981. Sa bhliain 1922 tháinig Séamas Ó'Bric go Thiobrad Árann Theas ag múineadh na Gaeilge faoin sean Choisde Gairm Oideachais. Níos déanaí bhí sé in a Thimire agus in a chigire ar na ranganna gaeilge in áiteanna mar Caiseal Múmhan, Bóthar Leathan, Dupháile, agus Muileann na h-Uamhain. Cómh maith le sin bhí sé ag stiúiriú drámaí agus feiseanna ar fuid an chonndae. Bhi sé ag múineadh ar chúrsaí gaeilge do Mhúinteoirí Náisiúnta freisin. Nuair a oscluigeadh an gairm Scoil Nua I gcill Náile sa bhiiain 1936, ceapadh Séamas in a Phríomh Oide, agus d'fhan sé ann go deire a thréimhse múinteoireachta. Bhi an - shuim aige so scoil in a dhiadh sin, agus ar feadh tamaill bhi post páirt aimshearach aige. Ba mhór an t-áthas dó an méadú mór a tháinig ar freastal na scoláire blian indhiadh bliana. Bhi se i láthair nuair a gearradh an fód do'n scoil nua sa bhliain 1980. Nach mór an trua nár mhair sé do bheith in ár measc ar lá oscailt an scoil nua. Gan dabth bhaineadh sé mór shásamh as. Ar dheis Lamh De go Raibh a Anam. Mr. Séamus Ó Bric continued as Principal until his retirement in 1964.
Mr. O Sullivan seated fourth from left front with the Board of Management (Sub Committee)
Mr. T.F. O'Sullivan, was appointed in 1964 and enrolments gradually increased. The teaching staff was increased to meet growing numbers in the school and prefabricated class-rooms were provided. During the 1970's, student numbers grew rapidly and a new school was planned for Killenaule.
Mr. Edmond (Ned) Brennan, MCC & Member of Sth. Tipprary VEC, turns the first sod for the foundation of Scoil Ruain at Knockavardagh, Killenaule. Mr. O Sullivan looks on.
Throughout the years, students have achieved success in various fields, and in fact, many of them have distinguished themselves in Third Level colleges, in the Public Services and in the world of business. With the sophisticated equipment now available, and under the guidance of a staff of dedicated and experienced teachers, the students should achieve even greater heights in the competitive world of today.
Mr. Michael Hassett
During Mr. Hassetts tenure as principal, Scoil Ruain student attendance numbers, reached a record high, with close to 630 students attending during the 1990's.
A new sports field was purchased and developed. Three new general classrooms and a science room were built. An art room was constructed.
Scoil Ruain's profile in the local community and as a school of South Tipperary V.E.C. had been greatly enhanced.
Leaving Certificate Students presenting Mr. Hassett with a commerative stone to mark the 2000 Millenium
The Student Council Plants a tree to mark the 2000 Millennium
Ms. Colette Treacy
Ms. Treacy has further endevoured to raise the profile of Scoil Ruain. During her career to date, Scoil Ruain has gained an
All Weather Sports Pitch (Astro Turf).
The staff room and staff facilities have been redesigned and a staff computer/workroom has been added.
The principals and deputy principals and general offices have been modernised and extended.
All student facilities have been refurbished and modernised.
To increase Scoil Ruains PLC (post Leaving Certificate) status, the old school at Bailey Street is being renovated and modernised with a new heating system and insulation and double glazing throughout. This wil provide a pleasant study environment for our adult PLC students
All of these developments make sound economic and environmental sense.
Since her arrival at Scoil Ruain, Ms. Treacy has been a champion of the school and local environment. Under her leadership, the school is very proud to have achieved no less than 3 green flags.
The first flag was awarded in 2004 for litter management and awareness.
The second flag was awarded in 2006 for energy awareness and management.
The third green flag was awarded in 2008 for water conservation and awareness.
Scoil Ruain hopes to achieve its fourth green flag for travel awareness and reduction of its carbon footprint.
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St. Ruain came from one of the noblest families in Ireland - the race of Eoghan Mór from North Ossary. Even as a boy he was noted for his piety and holiness. He was sent to Clonard in Co. Meath to be educated. His tutor here was the famous St. Finnian. One of his colleagues was St. Brendan the Navigator.
There were twelve students in the Monastery altogether, and the group came to be known as the "Twelve Apostles of Ireland", because they became the foremost monastic founders of the sixth century.
Having finished his studies at Clonard, Ruan came south and one of the first monasties founded by him was at Cill Ruain (Kilruane) in North Tipperary. He later founded a monastery at Lorrha. This monastery became the centre of an area noted for culture and learning and for centuries was a famous monastic town. It was here that the famous Stowe missal was written and also the Leabhar Breac (The mottled Book) from which Pope John Paul II quoted during his visit to Ireland in 1979.
In the year 554 A.D. St. Ruain cursed the High King's palace and it's administration at Tara in Co. Meath. By the law of correspondences this pronouncement was viewed as a curse on the whole island of Ireland leading to the disintegration of the centralised power that Tara represented. Later he founded a monastery at the island of Derrynaflan in the Littleton system of peat bogs in the townland of Lurgoe near Killenaule. He himself was noted as a brilliant scholar and was also a scribe and a historian. He died in the year 584 A.D. His monasteries however, flourished for centuries after and produced many Bishops, Abbots, Saints, Scholars and Artists. It seemed fitting then, in view of his outstanding contribution to culture and learning in the area that the new School at Knockavardagh be named after him.
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Killenaule or in Irish Gaelic Cill Naile, means the church of St. Naul. St. Naul, who was born sometime in the fifth century, was said to be a son of Aengus, King of Cashel.
Local tradition tells a story of Aengus' conversion to Christianity by St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland who came to this country in 432 A.D. During the baptismal ceremony, Patrick accidentally pierced the foot of Aengus with his pastoral staff. Aengus, thinking it was part of the ceremony, bore the pain patiently until the ritual was over. Aengus' two daughters were also present. The were Eithne the Fair and Fidelma the Ruddy.
Naul was well educated at his fathers court and also undertook military training. When he grew older he was sent to train in priestly duties with St. Ailbe, Bishop of Emly from whence he was ordained to the priesthood. He travelled extensively in Ireland and was a very successful missionary. He founded many monasteries, including Killenaule and the beginnings of the present small town grew around his monastery c. 515 A.D.
There is a story told of Naul while on a journey to Kilkenny. It seems he was sheltering for a few days in a local chieftains house and the chieftains wife made some unwelcome amorous advances towards him. As the saying goes "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" so when the chieftain returned, she told him that Naul had insulted and mistreated her. The chieftain pursued Naul and was about to murder him, when the saint asked for one chance to confront his accuser and let the real truth be known. Naul stood in front of the woman and said " I now ask the Lord thy God to show us a visible sign that you are lying, let whichever tongue that has spoken falsely be struck dumb". The woman was immediately struck dumb and she then sought the saints forgiveness. Naul prayed over her and her speech was restored.
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