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Archiver > GENIRE > 1998-07 > 0901250832


From: <>
Subject: Re: Hedge teacher
Date: 23 Jul 1998 20:27:12 -0700


In a message dated 7/23/98 8:35:12 PM, wrote:

<<Can someone explain the term hedge teacher used in Ireland.
>>

During the time of the Penal Laws 1691--1800, Catholics were barred from the
universities , were forbidden to teach in schools, and were forbidden to send
their children abroad to school. The idea was to keep Catholics in ignorance
so they would remain 2nd-class citizens. The Catholics established "hedge
schools" --informal schools that met whereever the master could find a
place--in his home, in an unused cabin, or beside the hedgerow. Even after
the Penal Laws were repealed (and they were not 100% effective everywhere
anyway) the hedge schools continued up to the time of the establishment of the
National School System in 1831. Some of these schools actually turned out some
noted scholars.

Janet C-S

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