In 1868 the school was divided into a boys’ school and a girls’ school. Michael Sexton became principal of the boys’ school and his wife Mary was principal of the girls. Times were tough in Ireland at this time, the country was just recovering from the catastrophic famine and sporadic food shortages and crop failures were reported all over the country during the following quarter century. The Grange area was no exception and a report in 1880 stated that over half the children who attended Grange school were very much in need of food being unable to bring a lunch to school.

The Sextons resigned from the school in 1888 and the school was closed for a short period of time before Patrick Crowley became principal of the boys’ school and Kate Roche became principal of the girls. Deaglán Ó’ Cuilliú a prominent gaelgóir from Ardo became principal in 1903 and during his time there, the school became an all-Irish school. In the girls school Miss O’ Meara became principal, she married Deaglán in 1910 and continued to teach in Grange until her death in 1918. Johanna Condon became Deaglán’s second wife and taught in Grange up to her retirement in 1961.

John Cashman became principal in Grange in 1942 where he taught until 1958 when he transferred to Ardmore. While Mr. Cashman was in Grange the new school was built.

The lasting impression for many people in the 1940’s and 1950’s was one of hard – working and dedicated teachers striving hard, despite a poorly equipped, badly heated and maintained building and a very unfavourable pupil –teacher ratio, to give the children in their charge a good education and an appreciation of all that is good and right in life. The children and grandchildren of these people who are now in our school are a testimony of the great success of their efforts.

• See: Memories of Grange by Catherine Foley