Tipperary community marks 144 years of local school with educational remembrance garden

A new educational remembrance garden has opened in the west Tipperary village of Kilross to remember those who attended the local national school over 144 years.

The school closed in 2015, having been in use since 1871,bringing an end to local education in the village.

However parishioners wanted to honour the memory of those who had attended the school and it was a Tidy Towns initiative to establish the garden.

Says organiser Terence Coskeran - “We decided that it would be a great if the people who went to school in Kilross could be remembered. We asked if we could have a plot of ground from the diocese of Cashel and Emly for the purpose of an Educational Remembrance Garden and was kindly given to us. 

The beautiful remembrance garden.

“This is located on the  Old Road, Kilross.  The garden contains a record of each person who attended school along with their townsland and the year they started school in the village. This list has been compiled using all the resources available to us at the time.

Within the garden are life size wood carvings depicting a hedge school scene, seating around the garden, a mural of school times past and present and wonderful views of the surrounding countryside from the viewing area. 

A comprehensive display of plant life, old and modern, is included while old gates received by donation  have been restored and along with piers to match to provide a lovely entrance to the garden.

Says Mr Coskeran - “We would like to thank Cannon John O'Neill for his help in acquiring the plot of ground for this project. The garden would not have been possible without funding received from the department of Rural and Community Development. 

Terence Coskeran, Michaell Sweeney, Kathleen Spillane, Cllr Michael Fitzgerald and Tim Ryan at the opening of the garden.

“We received 80% of the funding from them and the goodwill of the people who became patrons provided us with the remaining 20%.

“A special word of thanks to all who have given so unselfishly of their time and expertise without whom this project would not have been possible. 

It is hoped that all who visit will enjoy and come back again. The Tidy Towns group welcome individuals or groups to make contact if they wish for a guided tour.