Author Topic: Catholicism of the past in Ireland (Read 422 times)

cassini · « **on:** April 30, 2024, 04:33:41 AM »

A very old picture of a May procession with nuns and holy communion girls. Loreto Abbey, Rathfarnham, South Co Dublin, Ireland. Part of a project my daughter Sarah is doing with her students of that old school. Other pictures available if requested.

Marie Teresa · « **Reply #1 on:** April 30, 2024, 07:29:19 AM »

Thank you for posting! [And I'd like to see more.]

cassini · « **Reply #2 on:** April 30, 2024, 07:40:38 AM »

Here is the full project Marie Teresa. A list of different items to click on.

www.lifeinloretoabbey.com

cassini · « **Reply #3 on:** April 30, 2024, 10:17:33 AM »

https://www.lifeinloretoabbey.com/the-boarding-school

School Development and changing time.

The National school system did not begin until 1831, however Sister Teresa Ball had opened a “poor school” beside the Abbey which eventually grew to 100 pupils, opening education to the children of the area. Eventually, Sister Teresa applied to the school to be incorporated into the new system with governmental support of £20 per annum. The school flourished and is still there to this day on Grange Road! Thank you, Sister Teresa!

By 1844 the boarding school had become so renowned that Daniel O’Connell enrolled his two daughters in the school. The aim of The Abbey education was “to cultivate the mind by a knowledge of truth, to inflame the will by a love of what is good”. What a beautiful intention! In its prime the boarding-school housed up to 200 pupils.
In the early days of the school, central heating or electricity were not available. But from humble beginnings the Abbey was eventually praised and reported on for its excellence in education and the standards if the facilities.
Sister Teresa wanted to teach the pupils through love, not fear, and corporal punishment was not to be used. Rather a system of positive reinforcement was preferred. The pupils were to be seen as individuals and their parents had great input in their education. Public examinations were introduced in 1878 to some push back from the sisters as the exams did not align with some of their principals including the “cramming” of topics, the publishing of results, the lack of oral testing and exclusion of the examination of more natural sciences (practical subjects).

The opening up the free secondary education and the free transport system, made more schools available around the country. This eventually impinged on The Abbey. As numbers decreased, the subjects that were to be offered were affected. Large day schools became more attractive to parents. The sisters themselves were also in demand around the country is their different schools which also resulted in reducing pupil numbers further.
In 1996 the school began to phase out boardings. It remained as a boarding school and convent until 1999 when the last leaving certificate student left, after 247 years of educating young women. One student reminisced about their time as a boarder in Loreto boarding school:
“On my first night in the Abbey in St. Anne’s Dormitory I was too scared even to leave my cubicle, I asked the girl in the next bed if she was ok and we had a whispered chat. I have lots of memories such as Sr. Maxentia’s cure-all midnight feasts and music practice each evening”.
The Abbey spirit and legacy lives on in many past pupils of the school. It was a true centre of educational excellence.

Giovanni Berto · « **Reply #4 on:** April 30, 2024, 10:24:00 AM »

Such a beautiful country. I hope I can visit one day it before it's too late.

Look at this curriculum:

Quote

In 1822 the subjects taught were: French, Italian, Spanish, English, writing, History, Geography, the use of globes, writing, arithmetic, Heraldry, needlework, painting on velvet, satin and wood, drawing and music (harp, piano, voice).

Some very good mothers and educators must have come out of this school.

cassini · « **Reply #5 on:** April 30, 2024, 10:25:52 AM »

Historical Gallery
Step into the past

There may be no better way to communicate our history than through images. Here is a collection of historical photographs and images. This is a collection from various sources including the Loreto Sisters personal collection, UCD archives and a book entitled "The Abbey" - An appreciation of Loreto Abbey, Rathfarnham and 'Loreto Abbey - A brief Guide'. There are so many primary sources available about The Abbey, and we encourage you to seek them out.

moneil · « **Reply #6 on:** April 30, 2024, 10:34:03 AM »

A wonderful topic and thread, thank you for the pictures and other information cassini! Those were the days.

Somewhat "tongue in cheek" but I couldn't resist noticing the bolded part below and thinking that for many on this forum that's not "politically correct" for them in the present day

.

Quote

In 1822 the subjects taught were: French, Italian, Spanish, English, writing, History, Geography, the use of globes, writing, arithmetic, Heraldry, needlework, painting on velvet, satin and wood, drawing and music (harp, piano, voice).

Author Topic: Catholicism of the past in Ireland (Read 422 times)

cassini

Catholicism of the past in Ireland

Marie Teresa

Re: Catholicism of the past in Ireland

cassini

Re: Catholicism of the past in Ireland

cassini

Re: Catholicism of the past in Ireland

Giovanni Berto

Re: Catholicism of the past in Ireland

cassini

Re: Catholicism of the past in Ireland

moneil

Re: Catholicism of the past in Ireland