Effin Primary School was built in 1940 during the Second World War. At that time there were two separate schools housed in the one building, a boys' school and a girls' school. Each had their own playground to the rear of the school building. The view from these playgrounds was and remains a very pleasant scene of the Ballyhoura Hills. Down through the years since 1940 the children of Effin have played, fallen, laughed and cried in those playgrounds. The schools were amalgamated in 1971 and shortly afterwards access between the playgrounds was created. One thing that all of the children who have played in the playgrounds of Effin Primary School have had in common was that at some stage or other they have all looked longingly out over the wall to the rear of the school at the green field beyond. As the number of children in the school grew, space in the playgrounds became limited. Also the hard surface of the playgrounds meant that they were not ideal for playing football, hurling or soccer. "If only we could go out into the field" was an oft heard cry.

Now at last the dream is about to become a reality. The farm around the school has finally come on the market and a section of the field behind the school is being sold to the school. The school will at last have ready and easy access to a suitable playing surface. Parents will no longer have to be prevailed upon to come and drive the children to home matches. Hurling and football techniques can be practised. A trip of fall will not hurt quite so much. This wonderful occurrence led to a flurry of activity in and around the school. Two committees have already been set up, one to organise the work that needs to be undertaken on site and another to raise funds to pay for the purchase of the field. Many and various proposals are being considered at the present time and it is hoped that when the time comes all those who are in a position to do so will support these fundraising activies. Past, present and future pupils and parents will surely recognise what a wonderful opportunity this is for our local school and we would now ask that you do all that you can to make this once in a lifetime opportunity a reality.

effinns@iol.ie