THE CONNAUGHT JOURNAL Galway, September 2, 1824 CATHOLIC FINANCE COMMITTEE Saturday, August 28, 1824 - KEALY, Esq, in the Chair EDUCATION. The following letter, addressed to his Grave the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin by the Coadjutor Catholic Bishop of Clonfert, having been mislaid for some time, prevented its being read until this day: - Loughrea, May 28, 1824. MY LORD - The difficulty which I experienced in procuring the necessary documents from the several Parish Priests of this diocess, prevented my complying sooner with your Grace's request. I have at length succeeded, and now feel much pleasure in forwarding to your Grace the following statement of the schools established in the diocess of Clonfert, in order that the same may be transmitted by your Lordship, with those of the entire Province, for the inspection of The Catholic Association. In the parish of Loughrea I established two free schools in the year 1818, under the patronage of the Countess of Clanricarde. We have at least 100 boys and 100 girls educated in those schools. The boys are taught reading, writing and cyphering. The girls the same, and in addition all manner of needle-work. As those schools are established on the most liberal principles, they were attended for some years by Protestant as well as by Roman Catholic children. Several of the respectable Protestant ladies of this town visited those schools at stated times, and in the spirit of conciliation, and truly christian benevolence, assisted their Roman Catholic sisterhood in giving instruction to the children, according to the rules of the schools, (framed by the unanimous consent of Protestants and Catholics.)- Every thing that could excite a suspicion of jealousy in the minds of either party was carefully excluded from the schools. No books of controversy allowed and the principles of their religion taught to each in their respective places of worship after school-hours. The Protestant children have, however, been withdrawn from the schools some time since, and most of the Protestant ladies have continued their visits, for reasons best known to themselves. All I shall say is, that we have never given them the slightest cause, by deviating from the regulations originally approved of by themselves. The schools are supported by the voluntary subscriptions of the inhabitants of every parish, by an annual charity sermon, and by a liberal donation from the Countess of Clanricarde. We have never received the smallest assistance from the Kildare-street, or from any other Bible Society. We are most particular in the selection of the books for the schools. Besides the free schools, there are nine others in the Parish, where 201 boys and 101 girls are educated, in all manner of useful knowledge suited to their respective stations in life. These schools are supported by the parents of the children. - There is a bible school lately established in this town but it is attended by few, if any, of the Roman Catholics. In Ballinasloe and Creigh parishes, there are eleven schools, containing 493 boys and 239 girls; of these 259 boys and 120 girls are educated gratis. The poorest are furnished with books and slates. The expenses are defrayed by the Roman Catholic Bishop and generously supported by the inhabitants of the town. The remainder is defrayed by the parents of the children. In Portumna parish there are three schools, in which are educated 270 boys and 150 girls. The rent of the town school house is paid by the subscriptions of the Clergyman of the parish, as also by donation of Lord and Lady Clanricarde. The master and mistress of the town school are paid by the weekly contributions of the scholars. The country schools are supported by the parents of the children. The books are, spelling book, speaker and catechism - no improper books allowed. The Kildare-street Society sent to the school, upon one occasion, a present of some books, to which there could be no objection but the Society never gave any other assistance. Clonfert, Meileck, and Eyrecourt Parishes - There are 10 schools, containing 560 boys and 260 girls. Of this number 143 are instructed gratis, in a school established by a Protestant bishop, of the diocese, on the most liberal and just principles, as the children are principally Roman Catholic, the catechism is taught every day by one of the Roman Catholic scholars, as the master is a Protestant - 140 more are educated in a free-school, supported by the subscriptions of the Roman Catholic inhabitants of Eyrecourt. All the rest are paid for by their parents. These schools receive no sort of aid from the Bible Societies. In Ballymacward parish there is one school containing 120 boys and 30 girls supported by the parents, and by ten pounds a year, given by Bernard Browne, Esq. of Mounthazel, to pay for the children of the poorest inhabitants of this parish. In Kirtormur and Laurencetown are four schools, conaining 195 boys and 139 girls. Of this number 120 are paid for by the subscriptions of the inhabitants, and by a donation from the Parish Priest, the Rev. D.O' Callahan. These schools receive no aid from the Kildare-street Society. - There are two Bible schools in said parishes, but attended by a single Roman Catholic child. The other schools established throughout this diocese, being exclusively supported by the parents of the children, and not requiring any particular remark, I deem it quite sufficient to set them down in the following order: Here follows a list of the several parishes, the number of schools and pupils, male and female - total 52 schools in 16 parishes - 1,938 boys and 853 girls. I hope this statement will prove satisfactory to that highly respectable, useful and enlightened body, the Catholic Association, and convince (if the would be convinced) the maligners of the Roman Catholic Priesthood of Ireland, that it is not their wish to keep their respective flocks in error or ignorance, and that if more has not been done, it is to be attributed not to want of inclination, but resources, in this our impoverished and unhappily divided country. After thanks to the Chair the meeting adjourned. Cathy Joynt Labath Ireland Old News http://www.IrelandOldNews.com/