School: Finea (roll number 10599)
- Location:
- Finnea, Co. Westmeath
- Teacher: Kathleen Hackett
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0719, Page 036
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- XML School: Finea
- XML Page 036
- XML “Hedge Schools”
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- Hedge schools were prevalent in the Penal Days, and the teachers who taught in these school were called Hedge teachers.
During the fine weather the teaching took place under a hedge and in colder days in a barn or loft. Many people claim that there were schools in their fields and barns.
The teachers were generally chosen locally and indeed they were not well paid, even though they taught very high branches. The Primer was the first book, and after that there were two universals which corresponded to sixth and seventh standard readers of the present day. The subjects taught were English, Irish, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, History & Geography.
In Patrick Norton's field about a quarter of a mile south of Finea there was a 'hedge' school taught & a man named Patrick Byrne.(continues on next page)
- Informant
- Mr Joseph Cheevars
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 73
- Address
- Finnea, Co. Westmeath
