My Eye

I had an extra day of work today and had a lazy day at home, mostly reading the old book on Schools of Kildare and Leighlin 1775 to 1835 that I ordered especially from the library.

Fascinating the incredible importance that, our ancestors, the people of Ireland, despite desperate poverty, put on education for their children above anything else. They refused to attend the government funded schools because they taught 'Scripture without note or comment' which was against the Catholic faith.

The poverty of the people was so appalling that they could not afford 'their children the clothing which decency would require'.

As we emerge from our Celtic Tiger era, this is a mind blowing contrast to our recent hay day years.