Castletown Schoolhouse

Castletown National School

Castletown National School dates to 1845, although records show that there had been a school in the area since the 1790s. That school, operated by the London Hibernian Society, stood across the road from where Castletown National School was built. 

The construction of the National School was funded by people living locally and a grant. It was a charitable effort - records show that there was no rent to be paid. 

On opening, the school had a daily attendance of 70 pupils. They would have learned reading, writing and simple arithmetic. The school was open to children of all religious denominations. 

In 1845 the 'Master' at Castletown School was Patrick Mulligan. His pay was £14 per year. He taught the older pupils while his daughter, Mary, helped out with the infants and girls' needlework lessons. 

At the time of Castletown Schoolhouse's opening, education was not compulsory in Ireland, and at harvest time many children would be away from school to help their families. According to records, 80% of those living in the area were poor. The societal circumstances that whetted the appetite for education were also those that prevented many children from participating fully in education.

The National School System

On 9th September 1831, Edward G. Stanley, Chief Secretary for Ireland, instructed that a National Education Board should be established. This Board had the responsibility of administering Government grants and using them:

1. toward the cost of annual repairs to school buildings
2. to provide a salary for the teacher
3. to provide books and stationery
4. to provide one third of the cost of new school buildings, the other two-thirds being provided by the local parish.

The system hoped to provide education for all children between the ages 6 to 12. Their religious education was to be left in the hands of denominational clergymen.

Inside National Schools

The National Schools resembled a large church hall, one or two storeys high and usually surrounded by a small playground. A low platform at one end of the room held the teacher's desk or lectern behind which was the open fire. 

Normally there were only sufficient desks for half the children enrolled. While half the pupils used the desks, the other half was distributed around the classroom engaged in other oral lessons.

Pupils used slates and slate pencils for written work. Class sets of these slates, on which writing was practised and calculations were made, were distributed and cleaned continuously throughout the day.

Textbooks, for use in these lessons, were issued by direction of the Commissioners. They were sold to pupils for a few pence. Many of these books remained in circulation for 70 years and were passed on from generation to generation.

The day began at 9.30 a.m. and ended at 3 p.m. in the winter and at 5 p.m. in the summer. In the early years of the system, basic subjects (reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic) were taught but eventually other subjects including needlework, domestic economy, cookery, singing, drawing, elementary science and physical drill were included. 

Normally a class consisted of pupils of all ages but, where the facilities were available, boys and girls or juniors and seniors were taught separately.