SCHOOL HISTORY IN BALLINGARRY PARISH

During the penal laws the Archdiocese Of Cashel & Emly was particularly fortunate to have an active and efficient underground Catholic school system.

-These “Hedge Schools” were recognised Catholic schools of the day. Despite their name these schools were regularly conducted in the chapels

— a practice which continued in the early 19th century. The primary responsibility of the teacher was to teach Christian Doctrine.
It is obvious from the ‘Visitation Book of Archbishop James Butler that the great majority of hedge schoolmasters were devoted teachers.

-The Archdiocese could also boast of many remarkable good classical schoolmasters who provided a more advanced education at a small fee to those who wished to benefit from it. Toby Bourke of Thurles was one of the most famous of these classical schoolmasters. Perhaps their most vital work was the preparation of candidates for the priesthood.

-Many of their pupils became proficient in Latin and Greek, and later moved to the National Seminary, Maynooth College where they studied for the priesthood, and in the course of time, distinguished themselves as zealous and brilliant churchmen.

-The sites of hedge schools are pointed out in Ballintaggart, Rouleakeale, Copper, Crohane, Boulea, Ballaghboy, Coolquill, Gragaugh and Coalbrook. For many years a classical school was conducted in Ballingarry village, giving opportunity to many boys for preliminary studies for entrance to the Ecclesiastical Colleges for home and foreign mission.

-It is said that as many as fifteen or twenty students could meet after Mass on Sunday.

In 1731 we find that there was a school in Mohober where the schoolmaster was James Butler and one in the chapel yard of Kilbaheen under the instruction of William Pollard.

In 1738 the schoolteachers were Thomas Keating, Thomas Kennedy and James Butler who taught catechism.

-In 1837 there was an Erasmus Smith school situated in Ballingarry Lr on the Glengall road. It was built for £300 on three acres of land donated by Colonel Pennefather,

-There were three other schools, supported by private subscription These schools afforded instruction to about 270 boys and 120 girls, and there were also six fee paying schools in which there were about 270 boys and 170 girls.