The hugely progressive Raheen National School in Killarney has set out on an epic community project to develop its own all-weather sports field.
This is a massive undertaking for a rural, two-teacher school of 33 pupils but while small in size, it makes up for it in spirit.
At the initial meeting to discuss the development of the school sportsfield, over 30 people were in attendance, representing families past, present and the broader community.
On the night parents, staff and members of the community pledged their support to take on this project as a meitheal, pooling their skills, including project management, groundwork development, labour, finance, legal affairs and social media.
The project is being spearheaded by Tony McCarthy, Chairman of the Parents’ Association
Principal Joan Mullane said the Raheen community has a strong history of volunteerism.
“In the 1950s this community built their own two-room technical college as an all-volunteer effort. At the time this was achieved by 34 men volunteering labour one day a week over a six-week period,” she said.
“I have no doubt that this current group can achieve a sportsfield for Raheen National School. In 2024 they won the overall title in the Killarney St Patrick’s Day parade for the school float. When they work together they can achieve anything,” said Ms Mullane.
To commence the project significant funds needs to be raised to pay for materials and resources such as sand, gravel, fuel and piping and a GoFundMe appeal has been launched.
The initial fundraising goal is €35,000 which they hope to achieve by the summer break in 2025. Other fundraising events will take place throughout the year led by the parents’ association.
Eugene Bowler, a long-term member of the association, remarked: “We invite all those who believe in the power of community to support our efforts. We want this sportsfield to be our legacy.
“This will be for the school children but with an external walking track and we hope is will be a safe place for our older community members to walk off the road”
For further information and to support Raheen National School Sports field project check out https://www.gofundme.com/f/raheen-ns-to-upgrade-and-improve-training-pitch.
RAHEEN TECH HISTORY
* Local people saw the need for a post-primary school, since the nearest ones were in Killarney. They approached the Kerry VEC in 1950
* The Raheen Tech blossomed throughout the 1950s until the VEC opened a new vocational school in Rathmore, in 1960
* Three farmers, Bryan Kelly, Dan Culloty and Tim McGillicuddy, volunteered land and Dan Culloty’s site was chosen
* A meitheal was organised and 34 men gave their services free for six weeks. Divided into six teams, each man guaranteed to give one day a week.
* They came back on other evenings to get it finished. Not one man took a penny for his work.
* The building was 44 feet by 22 feet of concrete blocks, with an asbestos roof and a lavatory. The total cost was £700
* Raheen Tech thought domestic science, rural science, woodwork, mathematics and the classics.
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