Scoil Bhride, Clara

Introduction

Welcome to the website of Scoil Bhríde, Clara, Co. Offaly.
We are moving to a new website/blog which can be accessed through the following link.
All details regarding school closures due to the weather conditions will be posted on the following website.


www.sbclara.scoilnet.ie



Clara is a relatively small town, situated in the north of Offaly, with a population of some 3500 people (approximately). It has many interesting geographical features which in define the town. Probably the most well-known feature of Clara is what has now become internationally known as Clara Bog. Situated just south of Clara, this raised bog has become famous for its rare species of flora, which according to visiting experts are rare and valuable, and contain the finest specimens of this type in Europe.

Mora daoibh go léir agus fáilte romhaibh go dtí suíomh idirlín Scoil Bhríde.
Is scoil cailíní é agus tá sé suite í gClóirtheach , baile beag deas ar bhruach an Brosna , craobh-abhainn na Sionainne , agus baile dúchais ár dTaoiseach nua Brian ó Comhdhain.
Tá óg is aosta an-mhórálach as agus tá siúl in airde againn
go mbeidh an tádh dearg leis sna blianta le teacht.

A Short History

History bears witness that, through the long night of the penal laws when to teach was a crime punishable by death, the lamp of learning, though flickering, was never wholly extinguished. So, all over the land in lonely out-of-the way places, hedge-schools for small groups were furtively active. Clara was no exception.
With the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in May, 1862 out of stables and coach houses the property of the late Pastor Very Rev Patrick Berry, classrooms were constructed and pupils received. Three nuns took charge which shows that numbers were relatively small.
The school continued to function until 1887 when part of the present school which is now the assembly hall was built by Monsignor Matthew Gaffney who later became Bishop of Meath.
Pupil numbers gradually rose and although the building was inadequate, education continued.
In 1964 the part of the school which now accomodates 1st - 6th classes was built followed 20 years later by the extension which is now the infant classes wing.
Throughout this time the Sisters of Mercy retained Principalship until 1992 when Sr. M Perpetua Henry retired as the last religious Principal of the school and Nora Heneghan Kavanagh became Principal.
At present the school has 211 pupils and 11 staff members and has a long and proud tradition of upholding a high standard of education.