School: Rathdowney (B.) (roll number 15595)
- Location:
- Rathdowney, Co. Laois
- Teacher: P. Ó Héigceartaigh
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0828, Page 021
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- Long ago there was a hedge school in Rathdowney. It was situated in a field owned by Mr Dunphy and it is now only a sand pit.
It was taught by Gusty Lamb who was a student for priesthood. The school was near a hedge and was covered with branches of threes. The pupils sat around him on stones and he taught them one by one.
They had no books to write on so he used to write on the floor. He taught them reading, writing, arithmetic.
He only taught in the summer and in the winter he worked with the farmers.
At night he taught their children.
He would get his keep and food and clothes and very little money.
On the north side of church St., there was a school. It was the first one around here and is now called the C.Y.M.S(continues on next page)
- Collector
- George Bourke
- Gender
- Male
- Address
- Rathdowney, Co. Laois
- Informant
- Pat Gorman
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 80
- Address
- Rathdowney, Co. Laois
