A plea for restoration of the Irish language in the schools

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Paddy Casey
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A plea for restoration of the Irish language in the schools

Post by Paddy Casey » Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:50 am

My grandfather, born in Clare in 1864, spoke Irish at home and around the farm. However, in school he and his fellow pupils were given a sound whacking if they were heard speaking a single word of Irish. They were then sent home with a message to their parents suggesting that they be given another whacking at home for their “transgression”. The message to the parents consisted of a notched stick, each notch corresponding to an instance of the use of Irish. Presumably each notch merited a fresh whacking.

Now here, in 1900 (Freeman's Journal and Daily Commercial Advertiser, Thursday, March 8, 1900 ), a large number of priests, managers of National Schools in Irish-speaking districts, are pleading for bilingual instruction (i.e. English and Irish) in their schools.

The Clare signatories are:
J Moloney – Ennistymon, Furglan, Lahinch
M J Tully – Liscannor, St.Broget's, Moymore, Ballycotton
Michael Crowe - Kilfenora
Sylvester Malone – Scattery, Kilrush, do. Convent
Peter J Newell – Ballyvelaghan, Turlough
Michael Molohan – Rinneen
P Glynn – Carrigaholt, Moneen, Doonaha, Querrin
L J Browne – Doonbeg, Clahanes, Baltard, Shragh, Bansha
E Power – Lisdoonvarna
Martin McGurran – Kilshanny, Gortown
Daniel Courtney – Coomeen, Cranny
Paul Keran – Ballyvaughan, Corkscrewhill, Fanore
P M'Inerny – Inagh, Gortbofarna, Cloonanaha, Synge
John Vaughan – Pitfield, Lissycasey, Fergus View, Killerk, Shannon View, Island View, Coney Island
Wm Burke – Tubber, Boston, Kells
Attachments
Irish in schools - NS managers plea.png
Text of National Schools managers' plea for restoration of the Irish language to the schools.
Irish in schools - NS managers plea.png (234 KiB) Viewed 4245 times
Clare school managers signatories.jpg
Clare signatories to the plea for the restoration of the Irish language in the schools.
Clare school managers signatories.jpg (85.24 KiB) Viewed 4245 times

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