Scoil an Phríosúin aka Prison School, located in the townland of Prison East, has nothing to do with any Prisons except in name. The name Prison (often spelt Prizon) is derived from the townlands Prison North, South and East. (On the townland of Prison North, ruins of an old prison from Elizabethan times can be found).
Circa 1823, the building of prison school took place (as suggested by letters from. Fr. Nolan seeking funding). Rev. Patrick Nolan with the support of Sir Francis Lynch Blosse helped to build and open schools in the area of Balla and Manulla. In the letters it is mentioned that funding is needed for two schools in Balla one of which is in the half parish of Manulla.
"I am building the school-house in Minola, on the plot Lord Kilmaine gave some years back for building a chapel, there can be no doubt therefore of its permanent use to the public. The dimensions I have already mentioned, 40 feet by 20; the estimate will be in proportion to the grant given. The trustees are John Bourke, Thomas Bourke, Francis Ivers, Patt Ivers, all living in the town of Minola, of course interested in the cause. I myself, the manager. I have already stated the local contribution, which I compute half-crown a house in money and work, among about 200 families."
Closed in 1970, Prison school has its own website celebrating its history and remembering former pupils who attended the school.
Did your ancestor live or work here?
Connect and discover more by (1) creating an Ancestor Chronicle and (2) Under "Link Building" type in Prizon, (3) select this building from the dropdown list and (4) save.
