St. Gall's School 1933
The picture below shows how the school looked circa 1933. The two chimneys tells how the school was heated.The original building consisted of four classrooms for 160 pupils. The roof of the two classes, added shortly after the school opening, can be seen to the right of the picture.
In 1933 the present 'front door' of the school was added. This extension, to the left of the original building, comprised of four new classrooms.
On the side wall of the school the nearest of the two upper windows was actual the fire escape. Primary Seven pupils in this classroom were allowed to use these wrought iron steps to exit the classroom at the end of classes....... a privilege for the older boys.
Note the gaslight in the front of the building. It has long since gone.
The De La Salle Order built St. Gall's to edeucate the 'half-timer', and other children of the Clonard district. Demand outstripped the accomodation and as a result the 'Brothers' built a second school. This school was called St. Finian's and a tradition of great sporting rivalry developed with St. Gall's, which continued until 1988 when St. Finian's closed, under amalgation.
As part of the celebrations a hurling and a gaelic football matches were played between past pupils. For the record St. Gall's won both games.