Monreagh National School, Parish of Taughboyne
This school opened on 28th November 1852. Back then it was all one room. An
extension, a new classroom, was built in 1907 at a cost of around £107. Then in
1931, a house for the teacher was built on to the school. This was later
demolished. The school serves children mainly of a Presbyterian background. This
school closed down in 2011 and was replaced by a modern new school which was
built a short distance away.
Here are some contributions from pupils dating to 1938 – courtesy of Duchas.
Drowning accident at St. Johnston.
On the 30th June 1917 four young lads went out to bathe in the River Foyle they
were called Dowds Orr Donnell and Quigley. They went out too far.
A man called Lynch who was working with a lighter told them not to go out there
as it was far too deep. They took no heed but went on to a spot called the
"widgeon hole.
When night came the boys had not returned home their parents came to look for
them but could not see them anywhere. They went on down to the Widgeon Hole and
they got the boys clothes lying there. The parents asked Mr Lynch if he had seen
them he said he had and had told them not to go to the Widgeon Hole. Their
parents went for a diver to Derry. He came and found two bodies Donnell washed
up near Derry a few day after.
Written by Emily Wray (age 14)
Derrymore Carrigans.
Material supplied by my mother Martha F Wray (date 20th Feb. 1938
Derrymore Carrigans.
The Local Forge
Robert Robb has a black-smiths forge in Churchtown. It is made of wood and
painted black. This man’s father and grandfather were black-smiths too. Roberts
brother Sam helps him to work in it. Everyone round the country side bring
horses to it for to get shod. There are a great many tools in a forge such as an
anvil bellows hammers sledges spanners tongs nippers etc.
People get cart wheels in it too and all sorts of iron work such as ploughs
harrows and farming implements made. It contains two windows and one fireplace
and a wooden bench. He uses water to cool his iron. This water is a cure for
water warts.
The forge is beside Churchtown burn. The winter is a busy time for a black-smith
for horses need to be well shod going out in the frost.
Written by Emily Wray (aged 14)
Derrymore Carrigans
Material supplied by my Grandfather (deceased) Wm. Gardiner
Derrymore Carrigans
Dated 2nd Nov 1937
Monreagh N S
My own Townland
I live in the townland of The Haw in the Parish of Taughboyne Barony of north
Raphoe. There are 11 families and about 56 people. There are two very old women
Mrs Cassie Devenny and Mrs Annie Byers, address. The Haw Carrigans.
The houses are all slated except two. There is the ruin of an old forge at
churchtown Bridge. A good many people emigrated to America long ago. There is no
song or saying connected with the townland.
There is no wood churchtown “Burn” runs past the townland. The land is flat and
good. The Haw means the meadow land beside the river.
Written by Bob Hunter (age 14)
Copied by Gladys James
Monreagh Carrigans Date 16 Nov 1937
The Local Tailor
The local tailor in our district is John Corcoran who lives in the townland of
Castlethird about half mile from our home.
People come from all parts of the country to him to get clothes made and some
people get suits mended with him. He used to have an apprentice working with him
called George Lowry from St. Johnston.
A tailor uses scissors, pressing irons, tapes, thread and a sewing machine. John
can make a suit in the average of one week. He has a large bench to work upon.
John is never idle. He works from dawn to dark. The only rest he gets is when he
is taking his meals. John is a very good tailor and charges a moderate price.
Every body is the same to him. He is not a native of this district.
Written by Emily Wray. (aged 14)
Derrymore, Carrigans.
Material supplied by my grandfather
(deceased) Wm. Gardiner,
Derrymore, Carrigans
14th Nov. 1937 Monreagh NS
Monreagh
Townland of Tonagh
I live in the Townland of Tonagh Parish of Taughboyne in the Barony of north
Raphoe. It contains 12 houses and about 80 people. The name that was most common
was Roulston but that name has almost died out so there are no common names
left.
All the houses are slated except 3 2 which are partly thatched and partly
slated. The other is an old plantation house it belongs to Miss Simpson of
Tonagh as she is a very old woman over seventy. But we an older man called mr
Brown of Tonagh he is nearly 100 and only gave up the post-office in St Johnston
a short time ago.
Long ago there were not as many houses as there are now and no ruins are left.
The Townland is not mentioned in any saying or song.
The land is good and not hilly. There is a good deal of bog.
Tonagh means the field of the good grass. Churchtown Burn flows through part of
it.
Written by Gladys Mgt James (age 13)
Monreagh
Carrigans
Material supplied by Mrs B Donnell Cross Carrigans
Date 14th Nov 1937