St. Anne’s National School, Rathangan 1971 In the mid to late 1960s the Department of Education proposed the amalgamation of small rural schools. It was felt that educationally, socially and economically this was the way forward. In the Parish of Rathangan at that time there were four small rural schools – Baldwinstown N.S. and Duncormick N.S., both three teacher schools; Kilmannon N.S. and Cleariestown N.S., both two teacher schools. Following meetings with parents, school management and Department of Education officials it was decided to build a new central school in Rathangan adjacent to the Church on a site kindly provided by the parish. Plans were drawn up and put to tender. Browne Builders from Wexford town were awarded the contract. On July 1st 1971 the school opened only to find there were nine teachers and six classrooms. An extension was required immediately. When this was completed each teacher had a single class and the principal was an administrative principal. The 255 pupils were thrilled with their new surroundings. There was electricity, running water and a hard core play area. Those who lived outside a one mile radius of the school enjoyed free bus transport to school, which meant no more walking to school in all kinds of weather. One of the major advantages of the amalgamation was that children from all corners of the parish got to know each other.
The staff of the new school in 1971 was comprised of the following teachers from the four schools – From Baldwinstown NS Seán Leonard (Principal) Ms. Ita Ormonde (RIP) Ms. Maura McKenna From Duncormick NS Mr. John Doyle (RIP) Ms. Nuala Cleary Ms. Anne Codd From Kilmannon NS Mr. Seán Roche (RIP) Ms Kathleen O’Keeffe (RIP) From Cleariestown NS Ms. Maura Finn Phyllis McKnight (Ms McKnight decided to take a position in Glynn) Clergy involved in 1971 – Very Rev. Patrick Murphy P.P. Rathangan Rev. James Finn C.C. Cleariestown