In 1883 Richard Stacpoole appointed Thomas Lennon from Co. Monaghan as principal. Thomas marries Marian McInerney from Kilkee. She was an assistant teacher in the school until her retirement in 1924. They lived in the two-storey residence built in 1896 to accommodate them and situated beside the school. They taught their own nine children in the school and before their retirements they also taught some of their grandchildren.seventh child christened Bernard, but known locally as Barney, was trained as a national teacher in De la Salle Training College, Co. Waterford, 1920-1922.
Barney Lennon was an eager candidate for the principalship of Bansha N.S. on his father's retirement on the 30 September 1925. He was supported by the parents who petitioned the clerical manager, Fr. Thomas Vaughan, P.P. of Killard 1909-1934, to appoint the local candidate for the job. A petition was also handed to the then Minister of Education, Dr. Mac Neill and signed on behalf of the parents by Matt O'Shea, Charles Killeen and Michael Reid. However Fr. Vaughan had other plans and appointed Denis McCarthy, born on Inis Mór in 1899 of West Clare parents, to the post in January 1926.
Independence (1921) secured the clerical control of education and the state was not prepared to interfere with the manager's discretion in the appointment. Denis got a very hostile reception from the local community. However, he survived the hostilities, lived in the teachers' residence and married Stacia Power, his assistant teacher. He retired in 1963.