From The
Clonroche Notes in The Echo on the 3rd of April, 1909:--
“THE SINN FEIN LIBRARY
The books of the
Sinn Fein library have been in circulation for some time past and are greatly
appreciated by the members. The branch will have the benefit of reading some
good books…..
St Patrick’s Day
St Patrick’s Day
was properly observed by the people of this parish. The public-houses remained
closed throughout the day, a fact that reflected great credit on the
proprietors. In the parish church prayers were recited in the evening and for
the first time in the memory of the present generation, the Rosary was recited
in Irish. The number that answered the Rosary in the language of Ireland’s
patron saint was creditable, indeed, considering the short time the language is
being taught in the district.”
From The Echo the
4th of January 1913:--
“PRESENTATION TO
MR LAMBERT EX N. T., CLONROCHE
On Wednesday
evening last week a very pleasing function took place in Clonroche School,
viz.,--the presentation of an illuminated address, a purse of sovereigns and an album containing
the names of all subscribers, by the past pupils and friends of Mr Lambert on
the occasion of his retirement from the position of school teacher; a large
crowd of his admirers and friends being present. Rev. P. F. Kehoe P. P. who
made the presentation called on Mr Doyle to read the address. In making the
presentation, Fr Kehoe said nothing could give him greater pleasure than to be
the medium of conveying this very beautiful address and substantial gift from
the friends and past pupils of Mr Lambert and by his presence to bear personal
testimony to his worth. Any good work that was ever started in the parish
always found Mr Lambert at his post, but what he admired him most for (in the
village that is shown up in the public Press as one of the black spots in the
county) the example he set his pupils as a life long total abstainer and worker
in the temperance cause. He was, he declared, proud of him for it. Mr Lambert,
in reply, said he feared all the good things Fr Kehoe said were prompted by his
own kindly and generous heart, more so than any little good he (Mr Lambert)
might have accomplished or desired. From his own heart, he thanked the generous
people of Cloughbawn for the valuable and beautiful gifts. He said he owed his
present position to the goodness of two men, one of them long dead—Fr William
Gate P. P. of Rathangan; but he was glad to see a nephew of his present. The
other—Mr Long of Bannow and he hoped that the news that he fulfilled his trust
as his successor and pupil would give Mr Long some consolation in his old age.
Naturally after so many years teaching he could not leave off without feeling
sorry; yet this sorrow is compensated for by the fact, that, he was now free to
take his place in any movement, political or otherwise, that was working for
the good of the country. At the conclusion, a programme of dancing, singing,
and music was gone through. The address was printed and illuminated at “The
Echo” Office, Enniscorthy and framed by
Mr Pat O’Brien, Clonroche with oak; both framing and address being much
admired.”
From The
Clonroche Notes in The Echo, the 12th of June 1906:--
“Successes at the
Feis
On Sunday and
Monday week Clonroche and district were practically deserted for the Feis. By
train, bike and car went the people to take part in the great Gaelic revival.
Although only about seven months in existence the local branch of the Gaelic
League sent three classes to compete whilst—there were several others competing
individually. The following is the list of the prizes obtained—Miss Ellen Parle
obtained first prize in the costume competition; Mr Nicholas Cullen obtained
first prize in the whistling competition; Mr Thomas O’Brien second in the
jigging competition; Miss Essie Cullen obtained thirds prize for best home made
shirt. In the language competition, first year’s course, the class secured
second place. The following were the successful members—Messrs M. Cullen, G.
Flood, E. Buckley, J. Ryan, J. Cullen, T. Foley and John Flood. In the jigging
competition, J. Nolan obtained a third prize. In all six prizes, not a bad
record for seven months’ work.”
Miss Ellen Parle,
a native of Wexford town, was a Junior Assistant Schoolmistress in Clonroche
National Female School. She was involved in the Gaelic League and actively
promoted it in Clonroche and was, also, involved in Cumann Na mBan. She married the famous
freedom fighter and War of Independence Volunteer, Sean Sinnott.
From a report of
the Clonroche Petty Sessions in The Wexford Independent on the 9th
of January 1864; a prosecution by John O’Neill Schoolmaster, Clonroche against
Mrs Judith Cogley; Lord Carew was in the Chair and amount sought was nine
shillings:--
“Mr [Laurence]
Sweetman considered it a great hardship that this poor woman should be charged
such an enormous sum for the education of her children, and, also, the
plaintiff had a salary of £32 a year from the Board of Education.
Plaintiff—My
scale of fees are sanctioned by the Commissioners and Inspector. The
Commissioners will not grant aid to a school where a certain amount of local
fees are not secured to the teacher.
Mr Cookman to
Plaintiff—Are the poor to get a free education in your school?
Plaintiff—Certainly
not; the Manager is supposed to pay for them.
Chairman—Did you
acquaint the defendant of the amount you would charge at the time the children
commenced?
Plaintiff—No, my
Lord. It was her business to ask me.
Chairman [Lord
Carew]—I think it better to postpone this case and I will communicate with the
Commissioners [of the Board of National Education].
Postponed until
next court day.”
The
interpretation of Mr John O’Neill of the Rules of the National Schools was
idiosyncratic and hugely mistaken: the National School system was expressly set
up to provide an elementary education for the poor children of the country. The
Commissioners sought to have one-third of the cost of establishing a National
School collected locally but a schoolmaster was certainly not required to
extract fees from all the pupils!
