History
Scoil Muire , Dunkerrin opened in 1943.
The school replaced three old existing schools located in Cloneganna (1845), Lisduff (1849) and Barna (1879). These three schools were in a dilapidated condition and a decision was made to build a new Central School in Dunkerrin village. A one-acre site was acquired from the surviving residents of Frankfort Castle, Master James Rolleston and his sister, Miss Daisy. Work commenced in 1940 but because of the wartime shortages of materials it took three years to complete. The pupils from the three old schools along with their teachers, Séamus Ó Riain, Mrs. Kathleen Harton and Mrs. Johanna Duggan were transferred to Dunkerrin and the new school opened on May, 12th. 1943.
It is worth noting that the new school had no electricity, no running water and only had outdoor dry toilets. In addition, since there were three teachers and only two classrooms, two of the teachers taught in the same room which measured a mere 20 by 20 feet.The school continued as a three-teacher school with only two classrooms until 1969. Then a major upgrading of the school took place.
Electricity, running water, oil-fired heating, modern indoor toilets and a third classroom were added. Emill N.S. was closed and the children were transferred to Dunkerrin and a bus service was provided for them. 1986 marked a further upgrading of the school. An extension was built at the Barna end of the site incorporating a general purpose room, a library and a modern kitchen.The most recent development took place when two new classrooms were built and the entire structure was upgraded to modern standards. This was officially opened by Bishop Willie Walsh in June 2009.
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