A moment in time captured 25 years ago at Brideswell NS

A moment in time was the theme in Brideswell NS on Thursday afternoon as the contents of a capsule, sealed in 2001 as part of the school's centenary celebrations, were revealed by sixth class pupils of the South Roscommon national school.

Former teachers and past pupils gathered in the 68-pupil co-ed school for the big reveal, a quarter of a century on from the moment when the time capsule was sealed, marking a milestone occasion for the school.

Recently appointed school principal Seamus Gilleran reflected on the "tradition, culture and identity" of the school, stating that the items, placed in the time capsule in 2001, provided a sense of "who we are" as a community.

The school principal also stated that the fresh memorabilia being placed into the time capsule once again, to be opened in 2051, was reflective of "the place and community in which we live".

Staff member Majella O'Connor, who was a teacher in the school at the time of the centenary celebrations, provided a flavour of the year that was 2001.

"The last 25 years have passed in the blink of an eye, but it is great to be joined by so many past teachers and pupils for such a rare occasion," Ms O'Connor said.

Reflecting on the second year of the new millennium, she said it was a time of "dial up internet" when "our phones flipped" and had yet to come with "cameras and apps".

The Celtic Tiger was "purring", while "Friends was the programme of choice" for so many.

"Foot and mouth disease impacted the country and the average price of a house was €150,000," Ms O'Connor added.

Internationally, the teacher said that the "global politics changed on 9/11" and "Wikipedia was launched".

Turning towards 2026, she said that it was "hard to imagine" in 2001 that 25 years later we would be living in a time of "self-drive cars" and "using our phones to pay our bills".

"However, despite these changes, Ireland remains the same, a country of humour and resilience. I hope that the next generation who open this time capsule in 2051 feel the happiness and gratitude that we feel here in this school today," Ms O'Connor stated.

The five sixth class pupils, Brian Dolan, Thomas Dolan, Billy Dolan, Dara Fox and Patrick Gately, revealed the content of the freshly opened time capsule from 2001.

The pupils said the time capsule provided a "fascinating glimpse" into the lives of the school's pupils who walked the corridors at the time.

Popular memorabilia housed in the time capsule in 2001 were items such as Polly Pockets, Pokemon cards, action figure, toy cars and a skipping rope, "capturing the world of childhood favourites" at that moment in time.

They said that "sport featured strongly" with a focus on "school parish and local activities".

The time capsule also contained football cards, GAA medals and the Connacht senior football championship matchday programme from 2001 when Roscommon defeated Galway in the provincial showpiece fixture.

"These were the ordinary items that now highlight our history at that time," the pupils added.

Other items to feature in the 2001 time capsule were mobile phone cards, shopping lists, newspaper cuttings, a telephone directory and a food menu from a local hotel function.

The pupils acknowledged that while "technology and trends have changed, children's interests remain wonderfully familiar".

"Friendships, hobbies and sports mark our everyday lives and the items we are placing in the time capsule best represents our school community today," the pupils stated.

Pupils from the school then took it in turn to place their item of choosing into the time capsule. A vast array of memorabilia was placed into the time capsule with items such as GAA and Premier League matchday programmes, the front pages of local newspapers, family photographs, Roscommon GAA player profiles, a Kiltoom/Cam 2026 parish calendar, an Ireland rugby scarf, Christmas decoration, GAA match tickets and pupils' predictions for the future.

A further 25 years will now pass before the time capsule is unsealed and revealed to the staff and pupils of Brideswell NS in 2051!