Marian Hall gone but not forgotten

THE Marian Hall in Cooraclare is no more. The scene of many entertaining nights was demolished recently. However, on the site of the old hall, there is a brand new well-equipped children’s playground, which will continue to give entertainment and joy to the young people of the area.
The site was first developed in 1846 when what was to be a very famous schoolhouse was officially opened. The first principal was Conor McDermott, who established one of the most important seats of learning in the West of Ireland. The report made by James Stuart Lawrie, assistant commissioner of the Royal Commission of Enquiry into Primary Education in Ireland 1869 highlights Mr McDermot’s achievements.
“The best ordinary school visited by me was that of Cooraclare. The master of this secluded village school has earned the highest rewards granted, not alone by the board but also by the Science of Art Department, the number of his successful candidates at the last examination being in excess of any other master.”
The school was initially designed for 200 pupils but as the fame of the school spread, this number had increased to 400 by the mid 1860s and the school had eight teaching staff at the time. Extra rooms were added as numbers increased and on the death of Conor McDermott, there were three classrooms.
The number of people who joined the teaching profession and got their training from this school was quite extraordinary and numbered at least 50.
The building continued to be used as a school up to 1951, when the new Cooraclare National School was opened. The old school was then renovated and became a community centre and the Marian Hall was born. The hall became a focal point for the West Clare area. The ’60s witnessed a huge growth in local drama. Under the guidance of local producer, Tom McNamara, quite a number of plays were staged by the Cooraclare Dramatic society. Macra Na Feirme was also were very involved in the drama scene and the local Macra group staged the All-Ireland drama finals in the Marian Hall in the ’60s. That decade also saw the emergence of bingo and patrons flocked to the hall for the game every Sunday night.
The Marian Hall brings back memories for many people. It was West Clare’s Ballroom of Romance as people flocked from far and near to ‘trip the light fantango’ on its well-sprung floor. All tastes were catered for from céilí to country to pop and featured artists and groups including Bros Walsh, The Golden Star, The Conquerers, Tony Stephens, Denis Allen and Sandy Kelly.
The local ladies formed an active social workers group in the ’70s and organised the annual senior citizens party. They used the hall for their work in the Apostolic Society. The ladies also assisted with other social functions, such as retirements and local celebrations when food and music were laid on.
When the Rose of Clare, or the Banner Festival as it was then known, began in 1979, the Marian Hall became the focal point of the festival. RTÉ’s Marty Morrissey interviewed the Roses, while the fancy dress dance and festival barbecue were very popular.
No doubt many people will have happy memories of the Marian Hall but with the establishment of the new community centre, the Marian Hall had become redundant. The local community hopes the children of the future will continue to get enjoyment from the new playground, which now rests on the site of the old hall.