In the 1800’s there were a number of hedge schools in the Nicker and Pallasgreen area. There was a mud-walled school with a thatched roof in Old Pallas in the 1820’s, taught by Denis Quinlan. There was also a school in Nicker, with stone and mud walls, taught by Patrick Bermingham. This school continued even when the first National Schools were established. Another school of 100 pupils was run by James O’Neill.
The Erasmus Smith school was established at the cross in New Pallas in the 1820’s. The schoolmaster lived on the ground floor and classes were held upstairs, on the first floor. Patrick Johnson Sullivan and his wife were appointed Master and Mistress. There were two acres of land which the Master could use.
In 1830, a Catholic School was built in the grounds of Nicker Church, which operated as the National School. This school continued in operation until 1839. Between 1839 and 1852, children again attended hedge schools. In 1852, a grant was given to rebuild a school in the church grounds. A boys and girls school were built beside each other. The school was used for meetings of the Land League, in the 1870’s, but an objection was raised by the Education Commissioners.
In 1894, the boys and girls moved to a new school, at Moymore, where Nicker N.S. is currently situated. Teachers’ residences from that time, also remain today. Everyone was delighted with the new school building, large and airy, with tall windows to allow in plenty of light, but high enough to keep the children from seeing what was going on outside! James Meehan was said to have been the first pupil to enter the new school and received one penny as a memento. The boys and girls were marched down the road, from the old school building to the new school. The main structure of this new school building would remain largely unchanged for years to come. Generations of children enjoyed visiting Auntie O’Brien’s shop for sweets and school items. Unfortunately this shop is no longer in existence.
In 1968, Brackile School amalgamated with Nicker N.S. and two prefabricated buildings were added, in the grounds of Nicker N.S., which remained in place until the renovation of the school in 2013. In 1994, a staff room was added, as well as a room for the first Learning Support teacher in the area.
In the Summer of 2013, the pupils of Nicker N.S. were on the move again, this time to the local community centre and G.A.A. field. For a full school year, we enjoyed learning in the Community Centre and one class used the G.A.A. meeting room for a few gloriously sunny weeks in the Summer of 2013. We loved the freedom of the GAA field for our breaks.
In the meantime, a significant building project was underway, consisting of the refurbishment of two large existing classrooms, as well as the staff room. Four new classrooms were also built, as well as a resource room, in-door toilets and six in-class toilets. In June of 2014 we made the return journey to the beautifully renovated and extended building we enjoy today, holding our official opening ceremony in June 2015. The story continues!