Ros Davies' Co. Down, Northern Ireland Family History Research Site
© Rosalind Davies 2001
Permission granted to reprint research for non-profit use only

Assumption Grammar School , Ballynahinch 1934	Aughlisnafin Primary School c. 1927	Ballydorn National School, Ardmillan (Killinchy) c. 1915	Ballygally/Scaddy National School 1937
	Ballyrogan National School, Newtownards parish c. 1887
Ballytrim National School, Killyleagh 1931	Bann School, Lawrencetown	Cabra National School near Rathfriland c. 1890	Castlewellan St.Malachy's Elementary School 1926
Derryboy National School Cookery Class 1920	Downpatrick- St. Michael's Orphanage Girls 1878	Downpatrick St. Patrick's Boys High School 1937	Drumaness School in 1939
Dunsford National School	Dundrum Elementary School 1922	Killinchy Woods National School 1895	Killyleagh Primary School 1949/1950
Loughbrickland School 1900	Lurganville National School - Moira 1913	Movilla National School 1940s	Movilla National School 1945
Skeogh National School, Dromore 1925;1931;1940s

Assumption Grammar School, Ballynahinch 1934

Assumption Grammar School, Ballynahinch, the only Assumption school in Ireland, was founded in 1933 by Mother Baptist McKenny with 20 boarders. The school prospered and in 1936 was approved by the Ministry of Education. Over the years the school has grown in reputation. Success gained by pupils not only in examinations but also in literary and scientific competitions as well as in public speaking, sport and the arts are regular features of its life.

As in all Assumption schools, the pupils in Ballynahinch wear the Assumption Crest on their uniform. The cross on the crest is a symbol of the love of God, which is above everything and holding everything together. The anchor is a symbol of stead fastness, hope and security. The Southern Cross which links our school to its origins in the southern hemisphere (South Africa) , is a symbol of God's guidance and direction in ourlives.
http://www.assumptiongrammar.org.uk/History_and_Traditions.aspx

This photo was kindly sent by Calum O'Hare whose mother Veronica (Ronnie) McAlister (Mrs. O'Hare) is in the back row. Also his aunt Eileen O'Hare & cousin Tessie McKay & Anna McKenna and Una Drayne.

Aughlisnafin Primary School c. 1927


This photo was kindly sent by Brian Lennon whose mother Bridie McGeown ( 2nd front row) helped him transposed the names of the children onto the right photo.

Ballydorn National School, Killinchy

This lovely old school photo c. 1915 was kindly sent by Rev. Angus McCormick. It contains his father.

He's sure that it's Ballydorn National School near Ardmillan and would like confirmation of this. Please email me if you know any other names.

Ballygally/Scaddy National School in Inch Parish c. 1937

This photo was kindly sent by Mark Donald. It shows his mother-in-law, Isobel Lennon . Does anyone know any other names?

Ballyrogan National School
in Newtownards Parish c. 1887

This National School was in Ballyrogan by 1836 but I don't know when it started. The records are on PRONI film #1701995 Ref #559

Maree Devitt kindly sent this photo as it contains her grandfatheer, Robert Moore of Craigantlet who attended 1887-1895 and his younger brother William John Alexander Moore born 23 Jul 1878 & who died 12 Mar 1890 aged TB. Maree doesn't know where they are in the photo.

Also somewhere in the photo are John Moore b. 13 Feb 1875 (at the school 3 May 1880 aged 5- 24 Dec 1887)

& James Moore b. 8 Oct 1876 (at the school 13 Sep 1880 aged 3 1/2- 11 Jun 1892)
& Alexander Moore b. 12 Dec 1879 (at the school 2 Jun 1884- 23 Sep 1893)
& William Moore b. 7 May 1882 (at the school 11 Oct 1886- 15 Feb 1896)
& William Moore b. 29 May 1888 (at the school 29 May 1893- 8 Nov 1902)

Any one know any other names or have any information on this school?

Ballytrim National School , Killyleagh parish c. 1931


This lovely old school photo was kindly sent by Irene Watson. It was originally published in the Down Recorder.

The Bann School in Lawrencetown , Tullylish parish in 1932

This school started in 1832 in a small cottage near the Catholic chapel. It's income of £8 per year was from the National Board with £12 a year contributed from the pupils. It taught intellectual & moral education using the Authorised Version of the Scriptures & was visited by Rev. Edmund McGinness, parish priest. In 1836 , there were 76 males & 45 females with 27 Presbyterians & 94 Catholics. The master was Terence O'Reilly, a Catholic . The head master in 1910 was Francis Armstrong with headmistress Mrs. Armstrong & assistant teacher Miss Fealy.

Back Row
Robert McEvoy, Stanley Geddis, Brian Murphy, Vincent Conlon, Sheumas McKey, John Conlon, Greg McCartan, Dan Murphy, Joe Teggart, Jim Maguire
Middle Row
Joseph McStay, Stephen Toman, Donald Crangle, John J Monaghan, Thomas Cloughley, Dom Geoghegan, Robert Teggart, Benedict Duffy, Patsy Feeney, Charles Monaghan, Eddie McStay.
Third Row
Joseph (Josie) Monaghan, John T McCaffrey, Willie (Billy) Crangle, Anthony (Tony) McCaffrey, Jack McGarry, Pat Montague, Anthony Magee, Joe Quinn, Con Murphy, Jim Conlon,Joe Thompson, Hugh Coulter.
Bottom Row
Arthur (Arty) Feeney, Sammy Kerr, Jack Geddis, Gabriel Conlon, Thomas (Tommy) Curran, Eddie (Sonny) Geoghegan, Arthur Crothers, Maynard Hudson, Desmond (Dessie) McAleenan, Jim McGarry.

This photo was kindly sent by Kay Cairns whose McCaffrey family are in this photo

References; POD; records in PRONI film #1736304 Ref #1278

Cabra National School near Rathfriland c. 1890

From the left- back row:
Bridget Travers, Lizzie McGinn, Annie Savage, Lizzie Doherty, Annie Gorman, Francey Ward, James Travers, John Gallagher, James Fitzpatrick,

Second Row;
Kate McEvoy, Maggie Travers, Rose Gallagher, Rose Gorman, Mary McComiskey, Annie Doherty, Ellen Killen, Kitty Doherty, Tom Doran, Peter Doherty, Eddie Doherty, Hugh Travers

Third Row;
Maggie Morgan, Lizzie Doran, Minnie Morgan, Lizzie Rooney, Maggie Morgan, Annie McAlinden, Mary Rooney, Rose McNally, Mary Greenan, John McEvoy, Corny McGinnes, Charly Fitzpatrick, James McParland, Jimmy McEvoy, Master Hufy.

Front Row;
Mary Ann Travers, Biddy McEvoy, Minnie Morgan (Daniel's), Nelly McComiskey, Nellie Morgan, Kate McEvoy, Minnie Morgan, Kate McEvoy (Jemeny), Maggie McGinn, Pager Morgan, Nat/ Mat Morgan, Patrick Greenan, John Doherty. James McComiskey & Jimmy Doherty (William's).

This lovely old photo was kindly sent by Kevin Lonie

Derryboy National School Cookery Class - taken 16 Nov 1920

Derryboy is in Killyleagh parish

The principal was Mr. J. Morrow on 23 Oct 1915 (DR*). The enrolment in 2006 was 72 & threatened with closure (DR 29/3/2006)

Records are in PRONI film #1701993 Ref #30 & LDS film#247427 1863-1873

This lovely old photo was kindly sent by Ronald Carter

His grandmother, Helena Quinn, is in the front row, first on the left. Does anyone know any other names?

Downpatrick- St. Michael's Orphanage & School

This photo was taken in the cloister garden at the Convent; behind the girls are the windows of St. Joseph's Cloister . To the right is the wall of the church . The date is between 1875 & 1880; most possibly 1878.

The source of this info is Sr Mary Vianney of the Convent of Mercy in Downpatrick. If anyone has questions about St Michael’s or the old boarding school or orphanage then the person to contact is:
Sr Evelyn Kenny,
Archivist,
Convent of Mercy,
Bessbrook,
Newry,
BT35 7AW,
N. Ireland

References; DR 20 Aug 1911

Downpatrick - St. Patrick's Boys' High School 1937

St. Patrick's Boys' High School, Downpatrick 1937

This photo was kindly sent by Kevin Crangle

Anyone know any names?

Dundrum School in 1922

This lovely photo of Dundrum School children in 1922 was kindly sent to me by Sheila Phillips and her Mum (formerly Cissie Cunningham).

Front Row L to R: Tommy Graham, ?, ?, McClafferty, Bridget McClement, ?, Lilly Magee, Bridget Bannon, Bella Grant,
Hugh Cunningham, Annie Cunningham, Cissie Cunningham, John Grant.

Second Row L to R: Willy Graham, Kathleen McClement, Anthony Burns (1915-1992, grandfather of Thomas Burns), ? Rooney, Mary Quinn, John Quinn, ? Hagan, Mary ?,
Dan Rooney, James Rooney, ?, ?, ?, Joan Crawley, John Campbell, Pat Heenan, ?.

Third Row L to R: Mrs. Savage (Teacher), ? Hagan, ? McClement, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Mona Burns (older sister of Anthony Burns), William Cunningham,
Fred Crawley, Jim Doran, ?, ? MCClafferty, Pater Grant.

Fourth Row L toR ?, ?, ?, Annie Gilmore, Patsy Cunningham, ?, Joe McGrahan, Cissie Kennedy, Dan McNeal, ?, ?, ?.

Drumaness Primary Class in 1939

This photo was kindly sent by Brian Fegan (whose father is featured) & Damian Murdock.

Dunsford National School 1921

BACK L-R : James McMullan, ? , Mary Ellen Fitzpatrick, Sissy Trainor, Katherine Smith, Molly O'Hanlon, ? , Nelly Green
MIDDLE BACK: Mr Casement, Brian Gilchrist, ? , Thomas Cross, ? , ? , James Crangle, Albert Sealy, Thomas Gilchrist
MIDDLE FRONT: Jean Trainor, Katherine Cross, Bernadette Gilchrist, Maria Skeffington, Elizabeth Crangle, Lucinda Crangle, Ann Crangle, ?
FRONT: Margaret Gill, Elizabeth Carolin, May Fitzimons, Patrick Carolin, John Fitzsimons, ? Fitzsimons, John Fitzsimons, Rosanna Gilchrist, Elizabeth Magee

Dunsford National School 1921 - this photo was kindly sent by Kevin Crangle

Dunsford Boys Class 1931 - this photo was kindly sent by Kevin Crangle

Back Row, third from right = Thomas John Skeffington

Dunsford Girls Class 1931 - BACK: L-R; Kathleen Braniff, Sarah Mulholland, Elizabeth Carolin, Rita Magee, Susan Burns, Jane Curran, Kathleen Gill
MIDDLE BACK: Mary Hanna, Kathleen Hanna, Margaret Gilchrist, Kathleen Fitzsimons, Margaret (Maisey) McConvey, Elizabeth Coyle, Christina Braniff, ? Gilchrist, Elizabeth Fitzsimons, May Fitzsimons
MIDDLE FRONT: Una McConvey, Isabel McConvey, Ina McConvey, Sarah Anne Green, Rosie Brice, Ann Fitzsimons, Jean Curran
FRONT: Katherine Hanna, Dypna McConvey, Mary Curran, Rita Curran
This photo was kindly sent by Kevin Crangle


Dunsford Girls 1935- this photo was kindly sent by Kevin Crangle	Dunsford Girls 1938- this photo was kindly sent by Kevin Crangle

Killinchy Woods National School (Killyleagh parish) 1895

This lovely photo of Killinchy Woods National School children in c. 1895 was kindly sent to me by Nancy McCormack Schaalje

Her two aunts are;

Alice Morrow - front row, 5th from the right - born 1889
Jane Morrow - middle row - 4th from the right - born 1885

If you know the names of the other children. Please email me.

Killyleagh Primary School 1949/1950

FRONT ROW - LEFT TO RIGHT; Rebecca Boyd,Margaret Nixon, Iris Smyth, Audrey Maxwell, Isabel Morrison, Clara Harbison, Nell Martin, Diana Smyth
MIDDLE ROW – LEFT TO RIGHT; Mr Robert Greer, Thomas Young, Maureen Bennett, Irene Cranston, Etta McCormick, Noel Carter, Mr H. S. McConnell
BACK ROW – LEFT TO RIGHT; Rufus Dunwoody, Wesley Martin, James Black, David McKelvey, Samuel Martin

This lovely old photo was kindly sent by Ronald Carter

Loughbrickland 1st National School children 1900

This lovely old photo was kindly sent by SueMcClory . It's of the 1st National School children . John Byrnes was the teacher in 1910 (POD).
Sue assumes that Peter & Rose McClory's children are pictured but does anyone recognise any other children?

Lurganville National School -1913 -in Moira parish

Movilla National School 1940s (Newtownards)

These lovely old school photos of Movilla Public Elementary School (Newtownards) c. 1940s were kindly sent by Gaynor Kane. You can see Scrabo Tower in the background on top of the hill.
Anyone know any names?

James Robinson has identified his father, Jimmy Robinson of Greenwell St, Newtownards being in the right hand photo- 3rd row, 8th from the left.

David Hollinger has identified the teacher on the right hand photo as Miss Crawford & the date for the left hand photo as 1944/45.

David Hollinger & Norah McMilling Connelly have kindly sent the names for the left photo;Left to right.
Back row; N. Kennedy , G. Moss, S. Graham, J. Pritchard, T. Johnston, A. McKee, R. Findlay, T. Donaldson, J. Warden,
Third row; A. Davidson, N. McBlain, J. McBlain, A. Conway, I. Clegg, M. McCaw, E. Moorehead, A. Murphy, I. McCullough, A. McGilton, J. Hanna, J. Stevens.
Second row, J. Rollo, E. Donnelly, G. Smith, B. Foster ,H. Gray, S. Carson, I. Cardwell, N. McMilling, K. McClements, M. Neill, J. Good, I. Beale , W. Read, B. Moorehead
Front row; B .Findlay, H. Johnston, B. Atchinson, W. Stevenson, A. McDowell, I. Magill ,G. McConnell.

Movilla National School 1945

Left t to Right
Back row;
H. Hamilton, J. Gray, E. Dynes, J. Adams, E. Ledgerwood ,G. McGimpsey, R. Crothers, J. Gregory , J Gunning, J Whitla.
3rd Row
D .McGilton, M. Chambers, J. Sheilds, M. Clarke, E. Canmore , L. McNultey, unkown ,unkown, E. Miller, F. Whiteside.

2nd row
E. Garrett, S. Paden, M. Carser , M. McCutcheon ,J. Warden, Q. McCready, ? Magill, A. McKee, B. McDonald, E. Brown, B. McGowan.
Front Row
J. Read , E. Harvey, W. McNeilly, C. Cardy, D. Hollinger, J. Brady, S. McCambley.

This photo was kindly sent by David Hollinger

St. Malachy's Elementary School, Castlewellan 1926

These lovely old school photos of St. Malachy's Elementary School in Castlewellan were kindly sent by Damien Rogan.

In the photo below (c. 1926) we have Damien's wife's aunt Jenny McArdle ( on the end of the right front row ) The teacher is Mrs. Nangle.
Anyone know any other names?

Skeogh National School, Dromore

		These photos were kindly sent to me by Florence Chambers whose father , William John Dickson, was school principal from 1916.

click here to see the schools in parish order instead & if any other photos are available
click here for a list of schools in 19th century
click here for some schoolhouse photos
click here for a list of other class photos that I can email.