School History

In 1968 an almost unique system of common enrolment started which resulted in a sharing of teachers and facilities. This has evolved and continued to the present. In 1994 Meanscoil Fatima and St. Felim’s College were amalgamated to form Fatima and Felim’s Secondary School. In 2001 the Minister for Education and Science announced that an amalgamation of the Vocational School and Secondary Schools would result in a Community School.  In 2008 after a lengthy campaign for the provision of a new single site school Ballinamore was included, along with seven other schools, in the third bundle of schools to be built under the Public Private Partnership model.
A detailed history of Post-Primary education in Ballinamore is provided in a timeline format below:
1871
Nov 21st Arrival of Sisters of Mercy in Ballinamore
1874
Classical School (“Latin School” ) opened in Ballinamore by Fr. Tom Brady,PP Oughteragh
1888
Ballinamore Classical School (then known as “Mr. Duffy’s School”) ceased to operate
1941
Sept 1st Ballinamore Technical School opened in Church Street with Mr. Tadhg O Rabhataigh ( Donegal ) as Principal
1946
Ballinamore Technical School moved to premises in St. Brigid’s Street
1950
Sisters of Mercy begin to conduct a “Secondary Top” in Ballinamore
1952
Lady of Fatima Secondary School (Meanscoil Fatima) founded.
1953
Mr. Paddy Mc Geehan (Donegal) succeeds Mr. O Rabhartaigh as principal of Vocational School.
Present Vocational School built at Aghadark.
First class from the Mercy Sisters “Secondary Top” sit for Intermediate Certificate
1954
Dec 6th Meanscoil Fatima’s new building opened by Dr. Austin Quinn, Bishop of Kilmore
1955
Sr. Mary de Lourdes Sharkey (Ballinamore) appointed Principal of Meanscoil Fatima. First Leaving Cert. Class in Meanscoil Fatima
1956
Mr. Christy (Patrick C.) Gallogly appointed Principal of Ballinamore Vocational School
1962
Fr. Francis J. Mc. Kiernan (Aughawillan) appointed President of St. Felim’s College, (Colaiste Fhelimidh) which opened in September in the former headquarters of the Cavan and Leitrim Railway Company (the “Narrow Gauge”)   
The Founding Committee were: John Joe McGirl, Fr. John Young: President, Mr. Pat Joe Reynolds, Michael Creamer, Walter P. Toolan and Patrick Travers.
1963
Extension to Meanscoil Fatima
1967
Third wing added to Meanscoil Fatima
1968
System of co-operation (later formalised as common enrolment) initiated between the three schools to facilitate sharing of educational resources in the town
1969
1969 Science block and staff room completed at St. Felim’s linking the two original railway buildings.
Co-education introduced in senior classes
1970
St. Felim’s College blessed by Bishop Quinn and officially opened by Mr. P. Faulkner, TD, Minister for Education.
Common enrolment between schools finalised
1972
Dec 10th Fr. Mc Kiernan consecrated Bishop of Kilmore. Fr. Thomas Keogan (Castlerahan) new President of St. Felim’s College
1974
Major extension to Ballinamore Vocational School opened by Mr. John Bruton TD.
(Nov) Death of Sr. Mary de Lourdes.
Sr. Kathleen Gormley (Aughnasheelin) becomes principal of Meanscoil Fatima.
1978
Completion of playing field and basketball courts at St. Felim’s
1979
Meanscoil Fatima celebrates 25th anniversary
1987
St. Felim’s celebrates its 25th anniversary, Bishop Mc Kiernan, F. Keogan and four past students concelebrate mass in the college.
1990
Mr Brendan Burns (Ballinamore) appointed Principal of Ballinamore Vocational School. CIE property (present dressing rooms) adjoining St. Felim’s acquired
1994
Amalgamation of Meanscoil Fatima and St. Felim’s College as Fatima & Felim’s Secondary School
1996
Fr. Francis Duffy (Templeport) appointed principal of Fatima & Felim’s Secondary School
Fr. Keogan appointed PP in Kinlough
1997
Visit of Mary Robinson, President of Ireland, to St.Felim’s where she unveiled a plaque honouring the committee who, in 1962, initiated the project to establish a boy’s secondary school in the town.
2000
Visit of An Taoiseach, Bertie Aherne to open Ballinamore Sports Complex adjacent to St. Felim’s.
2001
Minister for Education and Science announced that an amalgamation of the Vocational School and Secondary Schools would result in a Community School.
2007
Sept. 2007, Mr. Diarmuid McCaffrey, was appointed Deputy Principal of Ballinamore Vocational School, replacing Mr. Tommy Flynn.
2008
Ballinamore PPS was included in the third bundle of Public Private Partnership Schools, due for completion in December 2012.
2008
Mr. Padraig Leyden, former teacher, appointed principal of Fatima & Felim’s Secondary School
Fr. Francis Duffy appointed Secretary to the Bishop of Kilmore
2010
On Jan. 5th 2010, part of Meanscoil Fatima was destroyed by fire.
2010
Feb. 2010, Ms. Philomena Earley, appointed Deputy Principal of Fatima & Felim’s, replacing Mr. Paddy McDermott.
2010
Feb 5th. 2010, Minister for Education, Mr. Batt O’Keeffe views fire damage and reaffirms his commitment for our new school to be completed by 2012.

August  New wing replaces fire damaged section.
2011 Jan: Statement from Public Private Partnership Office that four tenders have been received and new school will open in August 2013.