The second report of the Schools Commission was published in September 1826. It
was intended to reflect the general state of education in Ireland and its findings
were far from encouraging.
The most alarming fact was the small number of children actually enrolled in the
education system. The commission found that a mere three thousand children in
Ireland were connected to an educational institution. The figure of actual attendance
is likely to have been significantly less when we consider that children could
only attend school as and when their parents could afford the teaching fees. In
an age of high mortality and emigration it was thought to be more advantageous
for children to add a little to the family income. Since Ireland was still an
agricultural nation, few had any need of education beyond the basic reading and
writing that would allow communication with relatives who had left Ireland’s shores.
Also significant from the endless roll of statistics was the poor quality of the
school buildings. The majority of schools were conducted in small thatched cottages
of varying quality, or, at worst, were held in miserable huts and abandoned barns.
Teachers often lived in the schoolroom because their income was not sufficient
to countenance significant improvements or finance extravagant living.
All these failings provided fodder for the argument in favour of a system of free
national schooling that would be implemented from the 1830’s.
“We propose in this our second report, to lay before your Majesty, an abstract
of the returns, which we obtained in the year 1824, from the Protestant and Roman
Catholic clergy in Ireland, of the state of education in their respective parishes”.
- Glassdrummond – A pay school under the care of Hugh and Sarah Ker, of
the Dissenting denomination, who were in receipt of 10£ per annum plus residence.
The school was built at a cost of 80£ and was in good repair. The school was under
the patronage of the parish church with the incumbent granting the master 4£ per
annum. Average attendance of the school was 30 scholars. - Brackley – A pay school under the care of John Carlisle, of the Seceder
denomination, who was in receipt of 20-30£ per annum. The building is considered
too small for the purpose of a school house. Funds were being raised to construct
a new school house. The school operated under the direction of the London Hibernian
Society and provided education for 89 scholars. - Derrycughan – A pay school under the care of James McMurray, of the Presbyterian
denomination, who was in receipt of 7£ per annum. The school operated in a one-roomed
thatched house built at a cost of 10l. The school provided education for approximately
30 scholars. - Blairstown – A pay school under the care of William Haddon of the Church
of Ireland denomination, who was in receipt of 12-15£ per annum. The school was
conducted in a thatched house the rent of which was 2l. The school provided education
for 45 scholars. - Kilmacue, Enagh – A pay school under the care of Owen McConnell of the
Roman Catholic denomination, who was in receipt of 12£ per annum. No details are
given about the school building but it provided education for 28 scholars. - Collison, Cladymore – A pay school under the care of John Neill, of the
Presbyterian denomination, who was in receipt of 12-25£ per annum. The school
was conducted in a slated house, rented at a cost of 2l. The school provided education
for approximately 45 scholars. - Waterstreet, Edenkennedy – A pay school under the care of John Conway,
of the Roman Catholic denomination, who was in receipt of 20£ per annum. The school
occupied two rooms in a slated house, built at a cost of 10l. The school provided
education for 30 scholars. - Blackquarter Bridge – A pay school under the care of Peter Valilee, of
the Roman Catholic denomination, who was in receipt of 10£ per annum. The school
was held in a thatched cabin built at a cost of 5l, and described as being in
bad condition. The school provided education for 62 scholars. - Covenanting Meetinghouse – A pay school under the care of John Martin,
of the Seceder denomination, who was in receipt of 27£ per annum. The school was
built by the congregation at a cost of 15l. It provided education for 25 scholars. - Tullywill, Cladybeg – A pay school under the care of John McCormick, of
the Roman Catholic denomination, who was in receipt of 11£ per annum. The school
was being held in a thatched cabin but a new school house had been constructed.
The school educated 40 scholars. - Rock School House – A pay school under the care of George Clarke, of the
Seceder denomination, who was in receipt of 10£ per annum. The school was conducted
in a thatched cabin built at a cost of 10l. The school educated 28 scholars.PARISH OF LISNADILL
- Lisnadill – A pay school under the care of Joseph Devlin, of the Church
of Ireland denomination, who was in receipt of 22£ per annum, including 6£ as
parish clerk. The school educated 54 scholars. The school was under the direction
of the Parish School Association for Discountenancing Vice. Primate Robinson supplied
money for the construction of the school. - Balleer – A pay school under the care of Robert Reid, who was in receipt
of 5£ plus residence. The school was under the direction of the Kildare Place
Society and provided education for 81 scholars. - Tullynagin – A pay school under the care of John and Mary Rogers, of the
Roman Catholic denomination, who were in receipt of 20£ per annum. The school
provided education for 33 scholars. - Outlack – A pay school under the care of William Mason, of the Presbyterian
denomination, who was in receipt of 6£ 10s per annum. The school provided education
for 34 scholars. - Turearly – A pay school under the care of William McGlaughlin, of the
Roman Catholic denomination, who was in receipt of 2£ per quarter. The school
provided education for 40 scholars. - Edennappagh – A pay school under the care of John Lynn, of the Presbyterian
denomination, who was in receipt of 2.5d per week. The number of scholars is not
stated. - Collone – A pay school under the care of John Blair, of the Seceder denomination,
who was in receipt of 7£ per annum. The school was held in a cabin built at a
cost of 15l. The school provided education for 25 scholars. - Ballymarran – A pay school under the care of Matthew Donaldson, of the
Church of Ireland denomination, who was in receipt of 4£ per annum. The school
was held in a cabin built at a cost of 5l. The school provided education for 24
scholars. - Segahan – A pay school under the care of Thomas O’Neill, of the Roman
Catholic denomination, who was in receipt of 4£ per annum. The school was held
in a cabin built at a cost of 15l. The school educated 30 scholars. - Aughavilly – A pay school under the care of Daniel Murnaham, of the Roman
Catholic denomination, who was in receipt of 2-3d per week. The school was conducted
in a barn and provided education for 60 scholars. - Drumbeemore – A pay school under the care of Edward Donelly, of the Roman
Catholic denomination, who was in receipt of 12£ per annum. The school was conducted
in a barn, providing education for 30 scholars. - Ballynahone – A pay school under the care of Denis McEntie, of the Roman
Catholic denomination, who was in receipt of 12£ per annum. The school was conducted
in a cabin with an average attendance of 47. - Killyfady – A pay school under the care of James Mawhinny, of the Seceder
denomination, who was in receipt of 2-3d per week. The school was conducted in
a cabin, providing education for 16 scholars. - Killeen – A pay school under the care of William Fraiser, who was in receipt
of 10d per month. The school was conducted in a cabin, providing education for
41 scholars.PARISH OF MULLABRACK - Mullabrack – A pay school under the care of Joseph Wallace, of the Church
of Ireland denomination, who was in receipt of 17£ per annum. The school was under
the patronage of the local parish church, the incumbent of which paid the master
2£ 5s 6d per annum. The school provided education for 18 scholars. - Hamiltonsbawn – A pay school under the care of Francis White, of the Church
of Ireland denomination, who was in receipt of 20£ per annum. The school was conducted
in a “good house” built at a cost of 80£. The school provided education
for 60 scholars. - Ballynewry – A pay school under the care of Ogle Farrel, of the Church
of Ireland denomination, who was in receipt of 20£ per annum. The school was conducted
in a cottage, built by the neighbours at a cost of 15£. The school operated under
the direction of the local rector and educated 55 scholars. - Tanaghmore – A pay school under the care of Joseph Kirkland, of the Presbyterian
denomination, who was in receipt of 9£ per annum. The school was conducted in
a thatched cottage and provided education for 52 scholars. - Gosford, Cabra – A free school under the care of Thomas and Mary Woodhouse,
of the Church of Ireland denomination, who were in receipt of 40£ per annum. The
school was held in a good house, built at a cost of 200-250£. The school was under
the patronage of the Earl and Countess of Gosford who paid the salary and built
the school. The school provided education for 130 scholars. - Markethill, Coolmalish – A pay school under the care of Daniel O’Neil,
of the Roman Catholic denomination, who was in receipt of 50£ per annum. The school
was conducted in a good house, built at a cost of 150l. The school provided education
for 23 scholars. - Derrycughan – A pay school under the care of James McMurray, of the Presbyterian
denomination, who was in receipt of 9£ 10s per annum. The school was conducted
in a thatched cottage, constructed at a cost of 10£. The school provided education
for 30 scholars. - Edennakennedy – A pay school under the care of John Conway, of the Roman
Catholic denomination, who was in receipt of 20£ per annum. The school was conducted
in a thatched cottage and catered for 50 scholars. - Drumnamether – A pay school under the care of Elizabeth Walker, of the
Church of Ireland denomination, who was in receipt of 60£. The school was conducted
in a cabin, rented at 1£. The number of students is not stated. - Shanecracken – A pay school under the care of Nicholas Wilson, of the
Church of Ireland denomination, who was in receipt of 20£ per annum. The school
was held in a thatched cottage, built at a cost of 8£. It provided education for
74 scholars. - Ballygrubeny – A pay school under the care of John Devlin, of the Roman
Catholic denomination, who was in receipt of 8£ per annum. The 31 scholars received
their education in a thatched cottage. - Monlurg – A pay school under the care of Edmund Malone, of the Church
of Ireland denomination, who was in receipt of 5-6£ per annum. The school was
held in a thatched cottage and provided education for 20 scholars. Mr.McCreight
provided the school building. - Calrah – A pay school under the care of Robert Thompson, of the Church
of Ireland denomination, who was in receipt of 5 guineas per annum. The school
was conducted in a two-roomed house, the number of scholars is not stated. - Derryrain – A pay school under the care of Francis Daly, of the Church
of Ireland denomination, who was in receipt of 6£ per annum. The school was held
in a barn and provided education for 50 scholars. - Lurgaboy – A pay school under the care of Nicholas Sheals, of the Roman
Catholic denomination, who was in receipt of 10£ per annum. The school was held
in a house provided by a Mr.McMullan. - Drumachee – A pay school under the care of Peter Daily, of the Roman Catholic
denomination, who was in receipt of 4£ per annum. The school was conducted in
a cabin, built at a cost of 7l. The number of scholars is not stated.
PARISH OF LOUGHGILLY - Loughgilly – A pay school under the care of Robert Henry, of the Presbyterian
denomination, who was in receipt of 45£ per annum. In addition he was granted
dwelling and an acre of land. The school was constructed from funds provided by
the Erasmus Smith Trust, totalling 150£. The school provided education for 50
scholars. - Baleek – A pay school under the care of John Stringer, of the Church of
Ireland denomination, who was in receipt of 30£ per annum. The school was constructed
from money provided by Lord Gosford but was under the direction of the Association
for Discountenancing Vice. The school provided education for 58 scholars. - Lisdrumwher – A pay school under the care of Robert Davison, of the Presbyterian
denomination. The income of the master was not fixed at that point as the school
had yet to be officially opened. The salary and an acre of land were to be granted
by a Dr.Stewart. - Lusk – A pay school under the care of Hugh McGready, of the Roman Catholic
denomination, who was in receipt of 1.5d per scholar per week. The school was
described as a “miserable thatched cabin” in which 25 scholars received
education. - Mountnorris – A pay school under the care of King Murray, of the Presbyterian
denomination, who was in receipt of 14£ per annum. The school was provided free
of charge by the local congregation and used to educate 24 scholars. - Greyhilla – A pay school under the care of Tully Boyle, of the Roman Catholic
denomination, who was in receipt of 6.5d per week. The school described as “comfortable”
was constructed at a cost of 10l. The school provided education for 50 scholars. - Tullyallan – A pay school under the care of Alexander McCullagh, of the
Presbyterian denomination, who was in receipt of 15£ per annum. The school was
in good repair and attached to the local meeting house. It provided education
for 40 scholars. - Readymore – A pay school under the care of William Thompson, of the Presbyterian
denomination, who was in receipt of 8£ per annum. The school was described as
a “waste hovel” and used to educate 30 scholars. - Upper Cregins – A pay school under the care of Robert Boyd, of the Church
of Ireland denomination, who was in receipt of 10£ per annum. A total of 25 scholars
were educated in a barn. - Cornegrally – A pay school under the care of Thomas McCormly, of the Roman
Catholic denomination, who was in receipt of 1.5d per week. The school was held
in a “waste barn” in which 24 scholars were educated. - Coramenan – A pay school under the care of Peter Deighan, of the Roman
Catholic denomination, who was in receipt of 12£ per annum. The school was conducted
in a thatched cabin at which 50 scholars were educated. - Maymacullan – A pay school under the care of William Stett, of the Presbyterian
denomination, who was in receipt of 2d per week. The School was held in a thatched
cabin at which 30 scholars were in attendance. - Lisadien – A pay school under the care of Robert Graham, of the Presbyterian
denomination, who was in receipt of 10£ per annum. The school met in a thatched
barn at which 40 scholars were educated. - Lisdrumwher – A pay school under the care of George Allen, who was in
receipt of 19£ per annum. The school was conducted in a barn but the number of
scholars was not recorded. - Tullywinny – A pay school under the care of Patrick Metcalf, of the Roman
Catholic denomination, who was in receipt of 3d per week. The school was conducted
in a thatched cabin but the number of scholars was not stated.
