Ballyfeeney, translated from the Gaelic, Baile Ui Fhidhne. The town of Feeney. This ancient townland,  drawing its name from an old Gaelic Chieftan family, has prevailed as a unit through the ages. In  the Census of Ireland of 1659 an Anglicised version of the place name is written as ‘Ballyfinny’ with  8 families residing, all described as Irish with no English families resident.  
To this ancient seat in the days prior to the National Schools, a site for early education was established.  A Hedge School is recorded as existing at Ballyfeeney with the father of the 1916 Leader Seán Mc  Diarmiada noted as a teacher there at one time. Prior to a formal education system being established  for Irish children the Hedge Schools were the only means of gaining a basic education. Hedge  Schools should not be seen as something that existed in the dim and distant past, but existed well  into the 1800’s. The last of the Hedge Schools were still functioning in the mid to the late 1800’s.  A person of learning would establish a Hedge School in the open, often on an elevated site with  open space for the children to gather around. Children would be instructed in reading and writing  from an early age. Hedge Schools also played a major part in retaining the Gaelic language and  furthering the history of Ireland. The Hedge School Master, as those giving the instruction are  invariably described as male, would be supported by the children’s families as best they could. 
After the Famine of the 1840’s possibly emanating from a guilt complex was a general movement by  the Authorities to establish Primary Schools housed within buildings. 
In Ballyfeeney’s case, work on Ballyfeeney Primary School commenced in 1866. This School  generally referred to in its time as ‘The Lower School’ was built on land then owned by the local  Landlords, Mahon of Strokestown. The construction in stone with large classrooms, fire with  chimney protruding was a significant advance on the hedge school at the site. 
In 1873 again on land owned by the Landlord Mahon, a second school was built on the top of the hill  at Ballyfeeney known to generations as ‘the Upper School’. The Upper School was the Junior School while the Lower School was for Senior pupils. The Schools  over time also alternated as a boys’ school and as a girls’ school. Thankfully, in recent years, the  two ‘old’ schools have been fully restored as dwelling houses, retaining their original features. A  Teacher’s residence was also built at Ballyfeeney used by teachers and their families over many  years. In the 1950’s the old schools were no longer suitable for purpose and it was decided to build a new  school on an elevated site between its predecessors. The ‘new School’ with its distinctive tower  and adjacent veranda featured two classrooms, cloakrooms and personal  facilities. It was constructed in 1961 and has stood the test of time these past 50  years.

 

The School under the ownership and patronage of the Catholic Church has continued to provide a Christian Education to generations of children from the area. In the 1960’s a school at Carrigeen, Kilglass, which had been built in 1891, was no longer suitable for purpose. The Carrigeen School was closed, and was amalgamated with  many of its pupils coming to Ballyfeeney. In the 1970’s the School at Northyard, Scramogue was  also closed after many years service. Northyard was amalgamated with Ballyfeeney school and its  pupils transferred. 
 

Ballyfeeney National School is situated on the border between Kilglass and Scramogue. Ballyfeeney  School has always attracted pupils from both areas, leading to lifelong friendships being established  from childhood. The amalgamation with Northyard School further enhanced this bond. 
In the 50 years since the new school was built at Ballyfeeney, the school has continued to be upgraded  and expanded. In 1991, following a major fund-raising drive, access to the school was improved,  new water supply installed, boundry wall alterations carried out, in addition to general repairs  and maintenance. Through the years a playing pitch was also created in addition to the school  courtyards. Increasing pupil numbers attending, required a major expansion as the new Millenium  approached. 
Following persistent lobbying and detailed presentations, the Department of Education approved  funding for Capital works. These included the provision of additional classrooms, general purpose  rooms and facilities. 
The school extension was officially opened in 2007. Ballyfeeney National School, on the Hilltop  overlooking the Lakes of Kilglass, is a powerful symbol of what education means to our rural  communities. It continues a noble tradition. The facilities today in our extended 50 year old school  could only have been dreamt of by previous generations. The seed that was sown in the Hedge  School of Ballyfeeney has borne rich fruit. From those dark and distant days to the bright horizons  of today, education at Ballyfeeney has enriched the lives of our children. We have much to be proud  of on the 50th anniversary of the ‘new School’. May Ballyfeeney School always remain the beacon  that has guided our children through the centuries. 
Liam Coyle