placenamesDerreen
An Doirín
Derreen, also commonly called Derreens, carries memories of work overseas and has found new community uses for its former school.
The name
These Irish name elements are associated with this record in the Logainm glossary.
An element’s translation is a clue, rather than a complete explanation of the name. Its form and meaning depend on local history and the full Irish name.
Recorded forms
- An Doirín · Irish · main form · validated name
- Derreen · English · main form
Place & story
Remembering workers lost in 1918
Peter Molloy of Derreens and Brian Masterson of neighbouring Carraig travelled to Oldham for work in 1918, sending money home to their families. Both died during the influenza pandemic that summer and were buried together. Their families’ search for the grave continued across generations. The Mayo News reported in 2023 that a newly obtained death certificate had helped locate their burial place in 2022, and that a joint memorial Mass was planned in Derreens Church. [2]
Boxing in the former school
Achill Boxing Club found a home in the former Derreens National School after starting in August 2012. In its contribution to the Achill Rovers 2015 yearbook, the club described the premises as an important asset and reported early successes at county, provincial and national level. Its account presents the school’s reuse as part of a wider effort to bring the community together through sport and give young people local opportunities to train. [3]
School shelters become a Men’s Shed
Another part of the old school gained a community role in 2024, when Achill Men’s Shed opened in its converted outdoor shelters. The project began in early 2023; local help supplied electricity, heating and a cooker, and an additional shed provided more working space. At the opening, members recalled making Christmas logs for a local market. The adaptation preserved useful school structures while creating a place for practical work and social contact. [4]
Geographic information
- Place type
- Population centre
- County
- Mayo
- Barony
- Burrishoole
- Civil parish
- Achill
- Within
- Dooega
- Coordinates
- 53.89729, -9.96267 (approximate)
- Logainm ID
- 1414390 ↗
Sources & further reading
- Logainm.ie — Derreen. Place names and geographic record, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
- Final resting place of Achill men found after104years, 20 July2023 · Anton McNulty / The Mayo News
- Achill Boxing Club contribution: Achill Rovers2015Yearbook · Achill Boxing Club / Achill Rovers
- Achill Men’s Shed opens in old school shelters, 2 June2024 · Anton McNulty / The Mayo News
Name record retrieved 2026-10-25 · Source record modified 2012-02-07. How this page was prepared.