The former train station in IGn/eora. It was located about 5 0 yards flom the Keefe homestead. (Photo hyJim Shaughnessy, H031 NKfi'om ‘Hround Kin/eora Area” — GJC Farmer)

Kinkora was located on the shortest route connecting the shipping port at Cape Traverse with the main Island—wide rail line which ran through Emerald. The railway station quickly became one of the focal points in

the community. The railway line ran right beside the Keefe homestead,

where Patrick, the oldest son of John and Margaret, operated an inn in

addition to farming.

Education was seen by the Irish immigrants as a way of advancement, and in 1871 the school was upgraded to what was called a grammar school. In addition to the basic curriculum, it provided instruction in mathematics, Greek, French and Latin. Completion of the expanded curriculum prepared graduates to go on to college.

GK. Farmer quoted a description of the new facility from a report of the visit of a school inspector in 1871: “The school house is a superior one, and one well—equipped for a Grammar School. It is a two—storey building, well—furnished, with an apartment in the upper storey that might serve

as a classroom. Attached to the building is a suitable outhouse, and a spacious playground enclosed by a row of trees.”

22 KATHLEEN MURPHY, MAITRIARC