PRESENTATION BROTHERS
11 Killyman Road, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, N. Ireland, BT71 6DE
At the request of Rt Rev Dean Byrne P.P.V.G. and with the approval of His
Eminence Cardinal Logue, the Presentation Brothers took charge of the Boys National
School in the town in 1902. The first Superior was Brother Angelus Keane who
later became the first Superior in Canada and the Superior General of the Order
from 1931 to 1945. When they arrived in the town the school was in Anne Street
but they soon moved to the old but larger Chapel School in the grounds of St.
Patrick's Church. A new two- storey building was opened across the road in 1906.
This building was extended in 1958. For almost a century the Brothers were renowned
for their high quality of teaching and many of the past pupils went on to achieve
great success in many walks of life. The last brother to be Principal was Brother
Oliver McGreevy who retired in 1984 and the last Brother to teach in the town
was Brother Majella Burke who retired from the new co-ed St Patrick's P.S. in
1999. He continues to carry out an important pastoral role in the school on
a voluntary basis.
A past pupils' union was set up in 1998 and this year they have installed
a special stain glass window in St Patrick's Church to commemorate the work
the Brothers have done in the town. For many years the Brothers had a significant
presence in St Patrick's Boys Secondary School on the Donaghmore Rd, and held
the Principalship for a period under Brother Stanislaus Kelly.
The town is indebted to the Brothers not only for their teaching but for their
caring attitude to the sick and bereaved. Church choirs were trained under the
Brothers and they devoted much of their spare time to parish functions. They
also shared their talents helping to promote the Irish language, Gaelic Football
and Hurling and were prominent in the organisation of the East Tyrone Feis.
Today Brothers Majella lives in the Monastery on
the Killyman Rd and continue to play an active role in many Parish and Community
committees and organisations. A special Mass was celebrated in St Patrick's
Church at 3 p.m. on Sunday 26th May 2002 to celebrate the centenary of the Brothers'
arrival in Dungannon. Many past pupils
attended.
Click here
or on the image to see an enlarged version
Click
here for a description of the stain glass window
SISTERS OF MERCY
Northland Row, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, BT71
In 1894, the Sisters of Mercy came to Dungannon from Dundalk,
at the invitation of Rt. Rev. Mgr. Dean Byrne P.P. V.G., Dungannon. They took
charge of the newly erected primary school, which Dean Byrne had prepared for
them, beside the Convent. Seeing the need for post primary education, they set
aside a small room to facilitate those who wished to continue their education
after the age of 14.
At the beginning of the 20th Century, St. Patrick's Academy was
built on a site procured by Dean Byrne on the Killyman Road, below the parish
Church. The Sisters, their staff and post primary pupils, moved from the Convent
school to this new building, which was to be the home of secondary school pupils,
boys and girls, for almost seventy five years. From very humble beginnings the
school increased in numbers, and pupils of St. Patrick's Academy are found in
many parts of the world.
In the sixties temporary classrooms were erected to cope with
the increasing enrollment. This was not a very satisfactory arrangement, so
it was decided to negotiate with the Department of Education to procure permission
and a grant for a new building. In due time approval was given, and a site secured
on the Killymeal Road. This building, also named St. Patrick's Academy, was
opened in September 1975, and since then hundreds of pupils have enjoyed, and
are enjoying, the most up-to-date facilities and excellent accommodation.
