Dublin People - School celebrates 25 years in Ballymun

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School celebrates 25 years in Ballymun

Thursday, 26 June 2008

A unique Northside kiddies’ school for Travellers is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
The modest pre-school is at the heart of the St Margaret’s halting site in Ballymun.
Around 1,000 children have gone through St Margaret’s Playschool since it first opened, according to principal and founder, Margaret Williams.
“When we started up the Travellers were completely isolated,” she explained. “They had nothing, not even a site. Their caravans were just on the side of the road and they bussed their children into town to go to segregated schools.”
The popular playschool, which is funded by the Department of Education, operates at full capacity each year.
“I’m very proud to be involved in providing early education for Traveller children,” Ms Williams added. “I’m very proud of all the children who come through here. It is especially nice when I’ve seen them grow up and they have their own children who they send here to us as well.”
Two generations of the McDonagh family have attended the Ballymun pre-school.
“My daughters went to the play school and they in turn have sent their children there too,” grandmother Bridget McDonagh told Northside People.
“The staff are all great and it was an invaluable experience for my children,” Ms McDonagh said.
Bridget’s daughter Mary (24) has since sent her child to the pre-school.
“My four-year-old girl Louise goes there and she loves it,” Mary explained. “It’s great to have the family link.”
Ellie Stokes was one of the first women to send her children to the pre-school.
“My son Johnny went there and his young son Andrew goes there now,” she revealed.
However, St Margaret’s preschool may soon come to an end, according to Joanne Phelan, a member of the management committee.
“You definitely won’t see too many more of these types of schools anymore,” she told Northside People.
“The Department of Education is trying to faze out such segregated schools in the medium to short term, which we understand to mean five years,” she explained.
“The school has been hugely successful and popular. It is a great community effort and it’s a credit to all involved.”
Ms Williams and Louise Coyle teach in the school, aided by two assistants and a dinner lady from the Traveller community.

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