19th Century Rural National Schools

[Frag]

Does anyone have any research/ historical information on those 19th century one room national school buildings which pepper rural Ireland? I've had a search online for info including possible book references but haven't had much luck. Any info anyone may have would be appreciated.

[Paul Clerkin]

There is some info in the book on the Board of Works / Office of Public Works as far as I can remember

[roskav]

From my list for the project I did for OPW 175 there are 113 school projects carried out by the OPW between 1858 and 1995 ... some of which are restorations. This also covers model schools .. which are more elaborate buildings than the single room schools you are talking about. The bulk of National school building seems to have stopped in 1913. The dept of education was responible for school building after the OPW ... (I think)
Travelling around the counrty .. it seems that there are far more of the one room schools than what appear on the OPW's list. This raises the possibility that some were built through an alternative fund .. but to a similar design .. I'm not sure of this, but it seems logical. All of these buildings have the date of their completion on a stone inset on to the facade.

[tungstentee]

An academic in Architeture Dept at Queens did research on this topic.....his name is Robin Wylie

[ctesiphon]

Though it won't give an overview of the type, the NIAH records these buildings in its surveys.

Worth having a look at http://www.buildingsofireland.ie (I think) and doing a search by Building Type within the individual surveys.

[Frag]

Thanks for all the comments. Robin Wylie was actually once my tutor back in the day!:)

[tungstentee]

snap! he was a very good tutor indeed

[Mal_1]

Sorry for reviving and old page.

I am doing some study work on a particular 20th century National school, from the mid 1920s.
I know quiet a bit about its local history etc; but what I'm interested in if anyone could help is on the National Level such as the particular book on the history of the Board of Works, or is there any articles or published material on say, early Free State policy towards education etc.

Also in the back of my head is the memory that the National School as a type was on some list for public vote as Irish Building of the Twentieth Century, Think it may have only been 4-5 years ago, as in well after the millennium (in true Irish fashion).

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.