60 YEARS SINCE SCHOOL OPENED

On January 6, sixty years ago, Ballybay Vocational School, opened it’s doors for the first time to welcome in it’s first cohorts of students. Ballybay was the last town in the County to provide second level educational facilities. The modern building was designed by Sean Mc Cann, architect, Monaghan and built by local contractors Leahy and Co. It boasted underfloor electric heating, a terrazzo cantilevered staircase, double glazed windows and drying facilities for students’ clothes (all walked or cycled to school in those days). It cost £45,000 to build and £17:000 to equip. Thankfully the school remains at the heart of the community and is still going strong.