Schools
No parochial history is complete without reference to its schools. In the past, even more than in modern times, they have played a very important part in the preservation of the Faith. After the priest, the schoolmaster received the special attention of the Penal Legislator. Catholic education was banned; Catholic parents were penalized,* and the teacher was liable to suffer the death penalty. But in spite of the law the teacher remained faithful to his calling.
Not until 1783 did the law allow a Catholic to open a school; and even then, it required that he should be licensed by the Protestant bishop.
It should scarcely be necessary to state that compulsory education given gratis is a thing of very recent date. Public education as a State service is of modern origin. Until the foundation of the National Board of Education in 1831, the schools brought into being by private enterprise were of a varied and transient nature.
The term ‘hedge school’ as applied to the pre-National School is no fanciful description. A teacher hired a room or a stable and set up his school, such as it was, in its shelter. If the patronage and attendance was good he remained; otherwise, he removed to a more favourable locality. His charges ranged from 1/- to 4/- a quarter; and his subjects were usually ‘the three Rs’ – reading, ‘riting and
‘rithmetic – and Catechism. Each parish had several schools of this description.
In most parishes there was a parochial schoolhouse erected by the parishioners and under the control of the parish priest. Otherwise, the ‘official’ school was held in the chapel, where the teacher also filled the role of clerk.
In the matter of education the diocese of Meath has a fine record, as may be seen from the history of the schools in each parish. In 1788 there were about 240 schools in operation. The Reports of 1826 and 1835 show that the popular demand for knowledge was being catered for on a wide scale. On the spiritual side, Dr. Plunket was careful to establish a branch of the Congregation of the Christian Doctrine in each parish
Researched and Compiled by Kathleen McArdle, “Brookville”, Drumconrath. Source: Faith History of Drumconrath – Meath Hill.