School: Naomh Angela, Caisleán an Bharraigh (roll number 14410)
- Location:
- Castlebar, Co. Mayo
- Teacher: An tSr. M. Muireadhaigh
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0089, Page 438
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- More than one hundred and seventy years ago a hedge school existed in this district. It was held in a stable where the present County Infirmary now stands on the Green, the teacher being a man named Canton. Students of the history of those times will realise the dangers which existed, for teachers and pupils alike, owing to the rigours of the laws then in operation. The school was held in a loft over the stable, but the pupils contrived a clever ruse to defeat any attempt which might be made by the authorities to catch them at such a gross breach of the "law."
A rope ladder was constructed, and when the school was in session the ladder was pulled up to the loft, so that no visible means of ascent could be observed. On one occasion an Irish-American bishop, who braved, not only the dangers of the ocean, but the greater danger of being apprehended by the British soldiery if they discovered he was a Catholic Ecclesiastic, arrived in Castlebar and paid a visit to thehedge school on the loft. I expressed interest in the efforts which were being made to defeat the hellinspired laws that would deprive a noble people of knowledge. On his return to America he sent by some secret mode of conveyance a large parcel of Catholic books which were suitable for the school. One of those books was in existence up to(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Rose Dunne
- Gender
- Female
- Informant
- Mr J. J. Collins
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 50
- Address
- Castlebar, Co. Mayo
