James Clarke was principal of Kilcummin Boys’ School until 1880. He came originally from Co Cavan the exact date I cannot ascertain. He opened a hedge school in Glencullo travelling as a “poor scholar”. From Glencullo he came to Curreeny and taught a hedge school there for a short period. From there he went to Garavane Rear Cross where he lodged in a farmer’s house by name O’Kennedy. He taught a Hedge School there for some time. Eventually Kennedy supplied him with a horse and saddle and some few shillings and he journeyed to Limerick 20 miles distant where he stood an examination and became “classed”. Shortly afterwards some time between 1850 – 1860 he was appointed Principal at Kilcummin. He married the teacher in the Girl’s school, Ellen Purcell a native of Templemore. Two of his children reside here yet but can give no account of their father’s early life – not even knowing when exactly he came to the locality. He is described by those who knew him as a small, dapper, little man neat in dress, with a lovely accent, speaking