Kieran’s Our City, Our Town Article, 

Cork Independent, 16 May 2013

Technical Memories (Part 54) – Pre World War II Memories

In an article in the Cork Examiner on 2 September 1939, the Compulsory Continuation Education Scheme, as written about in last week’s article, entered into the second year of its existence in Cork City. During late August 1939, the enrolment and registration of pupils continued apace. It was anticipated that 600 boys and an equal number of girls would avail of the scheme during the 1939-40 year. In the 1938-39 session only boys and girls between the ages of fourteen and fifteen were included but in 1939-40 the age limit was to increase from fourteen to sixteen years. It was estimated that the addition to age limit would mean an increase in the number of pupils, from 950 in the previous year to 1,200 for the ensuing years.

To meet the demands of the increased number, the Cork City Vocational Education Committee, which was charged with the operation of the scheme, felt it necessary, not alone to enlarge their existing schools but also to appoint additional teachers to the compulsory scheme’s teaching staff. Girls enrolled under the scheme attended schools at 2 Emmett Place and 18 Parnell Place while the boys were accommodated at the Grammar Schools at St Patrick’s Place. At St Patrick’s Place, the committee acquired further space and built two new classrooms and a workshop. While at the girls’ school at Parnell Place, alterations were also carried out and a new kitchen for domestic economy erected. For the 1937-38 years, the committee had a total of two woodworking shops and four kitchens at the different schools but owing to the increased number of pupils they would in time three woodworking shop and five kitchens.

Increases in the teaching staff were also necessary by the addition of one manual instructor and two domestic economy instructresses. The man in charge was J Whooley, headmaster, who worked with three whole-time wood-working teachers, four male part time teachers of general subjects, one lady teacher of general subjects, five domestic economy instructresses, and two assistant needle-work teachers. In addition, commenting the Cork Examiner on 2 September 1939 noted: “Without the co-operation of city employers and parents alike, the scheme could not have reached the degree of success that it has”.

On 5 September 1939, the Crawford Municipal Technical Institute advertised their advice to parents to send their boys and girls to the voluntary full-time courses already in existence in the Institute. By attending a course students could pursue their general education, and in addition boys could qualify themselves to enter into local occupations such as mechanical, motor and electrical engineering or the many branches of the building trades. Special day courses were also in operation for the training of young girls in power machine and machine knitting for prospective employment in factory work. Priding itself as catering solely for all branches of science and technology, the Institute noted that it had recently installed a new mechanical engineering machine shop. A second feature invested in was a new electrical installation work and an elaborate and well planned gymnasium for the physical training of students.

Entrance and scholarship examinations in 1939 were to be held on 6 September in the morning and also in the evening. At the examination for day classes, 20 scholarships were being offered for competition to the specialised day courses in electrical, motor and mechanical engineering or building trades. At the entrance and scholarship examination for evening classes, 90 free student-ships were offered for competition to the junior and specialised courses.

In terms of staff in the Crawford Municipal Technical Institute, some details are revealed in the surviving minute books of the City of Cork VEC committee from the 1930s onwards (held in the Cork City and County Archives in Blackpool). In neat writing, the minutes over the 1930s remark on changing staff, new courses, requests for increased payment and the routine maintenance of the building. There is an absence in the late 1930s and even in the 1940s of a record of the core staff of the Crawford Technical College.  However, a list of a large majority of the staff are listed in the minutes of the City of Cork Vocational Education Committee on 12 November 1931, who together were requesting the Minister for Education for increased salaries in line with the change in Vocational Education system. This practice seemed coherent with other staff across Ireland looking for increased wages for their work. For the purpose that there may be individuals out there that knew some of these members, I publish the names below. If anyone has info on them they can contact me on 0876553389; Augustine Weldon (Assistant Principal), Denis Madden (Head, chemistry department), George Maculwraith (Head, electrical engineering), David Daly (Head, mechanical engineering), John Higgins (lecturer, mechanical engineering), Cornelius O’Riordan (lecturer, motor engines), Nora Dwyer (senior clerk), Henry Nolan (workshop instructor), Thomas O’Sullivan (laboratory assistant and electrician), Kathleen O’Sullivan (laboratory assistant), Henry Dart (caretaker), William O’Neill (caretaker), Cornelius Murphy (caretaker), James French (assistant caretaker), U O’Donoghue (assistant caretaker), Patrick McDonnell (assistant caretaker), Letitia Manning (cleaner), Mary Looney (cleaner), Ellen Falvey (attendant), Catherine O’Regan (attendant) and Margaret O’Sullivan (cleaner).

To be continued…

Caption:

691a. Interior view of 18 Parnell Place, 2005, still today derelict and awaiting incorporation into a new hotel that was partially developed during the recent boom years but remains unfinished due to the economic downturn (picture: Kieran McCarthy)

Kieran’s Our City, Our Town Article,

Cork Independent, 9 May 2013

Technical Memories (Part 53) – A Princely Contribution

“There was a splendid gathering, who filled the spacious hall of the new School when at 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon, Mr Thomas Derrig, Minister for Education performed the opening ceremony of the new School of Commerce and Domestic Science at Morrison’s Island, Cork. Among them were many  ladies, clergymen, professional and business men of the city, together with representatives of Cork public bodies, educational, labour, and other organisations” (Journalist, Cork Examiner, 8 June 1938).

The official opening of the new Cork School of Commerce building on 7 June 1938 marked another stage in the development of vocational education in the city. On the day, having opened the main door with a gold key, Minister Thomas Derrig entered the new building, and then Fr J Canon assisted by Canon E Fitzgerald blessed the entire building. With the Minister and the Lord Mayor James Hickey, Canon Scannell entered the Assembly Hall, where the large audience had gathered and where the blessing ceremony concluded.

Once the chairman of the VEC committee Mr Ellis introduced the Minister, the choir sang the National Anthem. The Chairman said that it was a happy occasion for the citizens of Cork and for the progress of Vocational Education generally and that future generations should praise the memory of the benefactor of the site, William T Green for his “princely contribution in the noble cause of education”. Continuing Mr Ellis noted: “The citizens of the Cork of today and tomorrow are fortunate-far more fortunate- than we of the Cork of yesterday were, in that they now possess not only facilities for cultural studies but no less important facilities for fitting and training themselves to be leaders of industry and commerce”.

The Minister noted the importance of the occasion and highlighted that the site of any school should be carefully chosen, especially if it is being used for both day and evening classes. A school should be central and free as possible from the disturbances of traffic. He thanked Thomas Green for his generous gift of land: “The building is really a fine one and will remain as a standing monument of the genius of the architect and the efficiency and skill of the contractor and his craftsmen…it gives to the citizens of Cork a school worthy of the traditions to which it is heir and admirably adapted to the training of young people of the city in the various branches of commerce and domestic science”.

The Minister was particularly interested in the Assembly Hall in which the group were gathered. He commented that it would give excellent facilities for school meetings, lectures and dramatic performances and that it was also fitted for the display of educational firms. The Assembly Hall could also be used as a gymnasium for the students, and provision had been made for dressing rooms with hot and cold showers.

The Minister commented on the work by Seamus Murphy of the relief panels at each side of the main entrance to the school. They were symbolic of the two aspects of the Vocational Education, for which the school was intended. “I should like to see other committees imitate the example of Cork is this respect, and incorporate in their school buildings, some distinctive piece of artistic work. This might take the form of a mural decoration, illustrative of a period of local history, or an example of a craft for which the locality is noted. I believe that there is no more suitable place for fine paintings or sculptures than in a school building, where the merit of the artistry makes a ready appeal to the active imagination and creative instincts of the young”.

In a fine building the Minister believed that progress would be as rapid as it was under the old and less favourable conditions in the former building on the South Mall. He called for the authorities of the school to provide for special studies that were of importance to a great commercial centre- studies in economics, insurance, salesmanship, advertising, industrial design, and the display of goods: “Not only should the school train the rank and file of the commercial life of the city, but it should provide a programme of studies that will induce every student to advance to the fullest extent of his capacity. Without this specialisation, you cannot satisfy the student of ambition and ability, who is marked out for leadership and on whom enterprise and progress so largely depend”.

In concluding his address, the Minister paid a special tribute to the City of Cork Vocational Education Committee for its whole-hearted acceptance of his request to undertake an educational experiment in connection with raising the school leaving age. As from 1 September 1938, every young person in Cork, under the age of 16 was to be required to attend some form of school. The attendance of those in employment was to be restricted to five hours weekly: “The results of the experiment over the next few years will largely determine our policy on the general issue and be the subject of much interest in educational circles”.

To be continued…

Captions:

690a. Front entrance of Cork College of Commerce showing Seamus Murphy sculptures (picture: Kieran McCarthy)

Kieran’s Our City, Our Town Article

Cork Independent, 18 April 2013

“Technical Memories (Part 52) –A Rallying Centre”

“It is not generally realised that my Department has co-operated with many vocational education committees in endeavouring to provide suitable training for entrants to new industries. Two-thirds of the cost of training suitable persons for technological posts in the new Sugar Beet Factories at Mallow, Tuam, and Thurles were defrayed by my Department, the remaining third being borne by Comhlucht Siucre Éireann Teo” (Thomas Derrig TD, Minister of Education, 21 June 1935).

Thomas Derrig TD, Minister of Education, spoke at length at the luncheon following the laying of the foundation stone of the Cork College of Commerce in June 1935. He summarised some of the key developments in education and its relationship with industry since the passing of the Vocational Education Act in 1930 and in light of the ongoing economic war with Britain. In particular he described how apprentices required for Irish sugar factories for example were selected by an examination under the auspices of his Department with the co-operation of local Vocational Education Committees. Almost all these apprentices were drawn from course at the technical schools. He also promoted a number of other projects. A number of youths were trained in Wolverhampton, in preparation for employment in an aluminium factory. Provision was made in another technical school for training girls for new hosiery factories. Similar facilities for classes in connection with boot factories were provided for in four or five schools. A class in ceramic art was formed in preparation for the establishment of a new pottery factory. Power machines were installed in certain centres for the provision of trade instruction for the ready-made clothing industry.

Derrig’s Department and vocational educational committees were also anxious to co-operate with industrialists in providing technical training not only for new employees, but also to those already engaged in industry and who wished to add to their qualification as a means towards attaining more “responsible posts”. He was arranging in the summer of 1935 a special course in retail practice and salesmanship for senior commercial teachers. Over 40 teachers were drawn from all parts of the country to receive intensive courses in being an assistant in the drapery and the grocery and provision trades.

Derrig also described the constant demand for the extension of existing technical schools and the erection of new ones. He noted during his speech that the “laying of the foundation stone of your magnificent new School of Commerce and Domestic Science today forms but one link in the chain of schools that have been erected since 1930”. In Dublin important extensions had been made in Vocational Educational schools at Ballsbridge and Rathmines; the new branch school at Marino was soon to be completed. Plans were being prepared to erect a new School of Domestic Science in a central position, near O’Connell Street. In Limerick additions had been made to their central school, and a proposal was under consideration to erect a new feeder school in another part of the city. The Waterford Technical School had been also considerably extended to meet existing educational demands.

New schools were provided for in Galway and Drogheda and an extension was provided for at the Wexford school. In over 20 counties smaller schools had been erected or were near completion by 1935. Many had been constructed to cater for the needs of the rural population and according to Derrig represented an important step in the development of our national rural economy: “Such schools properly administered should not only enable the boys and girls in our rural areas to play a more efficient part in the many agricultural projects now being encouraged, but also a rallying centre for the social and national life of the rural population”.

Progress was not only confined to the building of schools and as Derrig noted “the formation of relationships with industry”. He described that several vocational schools were also exercising their valuable influence slowly but definitely on the development of the Irish language. There was, he argued, a definite advance in the teaching of subjects through Irish. The marked increase in previous years in the number of teachers qualifying for the Ceard Teastas Gaeilge was a “gratifying sign of development”. Continuing he argued that: “no amount of the teaching of Irish or of subjects through Irish can succeed in making the present generation realise the value and worth of their national language unless it is combined with a deliberate effort on the part of all concerned to make Irish the living language not only of the school, but also of the playing fields, and above all, of the home”.

Concluding his address Minister Derrig referred to a question raised regarding the setting up of Conservatoire of Music in the Country, and expressed the hope that the day “would come soon when they would have one in the country, whether in Dublin or in Country”. Interesting and like the request for a Cork conservatoire of music, Mr J Hurley at the luncheon representing the Crawford Municipal Technical College, expressed the hope that the application for a college of technology in Cork would also not be lost sight and would soon come to fruition.

To be continued…

Caption:

687a. Cork College of Commerce, present day (picture: Kieran McCarthy)

Kieran’s Our City, Our Town Article, 

Cork Independent, 11 April 2013

“Technical Memories (Part 51) –A Glass Jar of Hope”

 “Thus the laying of the foundation stone of the new school today marks another stage in the development of Vocational Education in Cork; the new building, as you are aware, will house both the School of Commerce and Domestic Science, allowing additional accommodation for the further development of science and technology in the existing buildings” (Journalist, Cork Examiner, 25 June 1935)

The pinnacle of vocational education projects in Cork in the 1930s was the creation of a new building for the Cork School of Commerce on Morrison’s Island. On 24 June 1935, in the presence of a large and distinguished gathering, Thomas Derrig TD, Minister for Education, laid the foundation stone of Cork’s new £60,000 Municipal School of Commerce and Domestic Science. The attendance included William T Cosgrave TD who travelled especially from Dublin for the occasion. The site and the foundation stone were first blessed by Rev J Canon Murphy, St Finbarr’s South Chapel, who then delivered a short address. The Canon blessed the stone. He noted that they took that day the first step in the direction of a “great municipal, commercial academy, which they hoped would be worthy of the size, dignity and importance of the city of Cork”. He prayed that this great inception might one day become a source of knowledge and instruction to many generations of the youth of the City of Cork “that they might learn many useful lessons of culture and science and skill, which would then be useful members of society and reflect credit on the city of their birth”.

Mr William Ellis welcomed the Minister for Education on behalf of the Vocational education committee of the city of Cork, and said the Minister was engaged that day on the “inauguration of a great work, which would prove of immense benefit to the city educationally and would reflect credit on it in other aspects as well”. He asked the Minister to lay the foundation stone of a building of whose future they had such great hopes. Mr Derrig was then presented with a silver trowel by Mr Sisk, the builder. When the stone was laid, in a cavity of the stone was placed a glass jar containing a prospectus of the school, copies of the “Cork Examiner,” and other daily newspapers, and contemporary coins. The Minister added his card to this collection.

Speaking first in Irish and subsequently in English, the Minister said it gave him great pleasure to be present on this important occasion in the history of vocational education in the city of Cork. He asserted that the school was being erected at a moment when Ireland was endeavouring to expand its industrial development, resources and commerce; “They would send out from it young and women equipped to take their parts in the development of the country and advancing its interests and making its citizens prosperous”.

The Minister congratulated the architect, Henry Hill and the builder Sisks on the “admirable, yet simplicity of the building”.  It was, he noted, a source of satisfaction to him to record that workmen and tradesmen of Cork played such an important part in the building of the school, and the materials and fittings would as far as possible be Irish. Speaking at the subsequent luncheon in the Victoria Hotel, the Minister noted that the constant demand for the extension of technical schools and for the erection of new ones was a “sure tale of progress”. A problem he highlighted was the training of girls for domestic service. It was his opinion that these girls, if properly trained could obtain suitable positions in this country. He was in full agreement with the Chairman of the County Cork Vocational Committee, that to raise the position of the domestic servant in this country was a matter of great importance. To succeed in this endeavour “they can only do so if the girls themselves are prepared to take out a full course of training, which he was sure all the Vocational committees, throughout the country would only too glad to supply”.

Mr A J Magennis proposed the toast “vocational education”. He was doing so as a member of the City of Cork Vocational Education Committee and chairman of the School of Commerce sub committee. He was past president of the Incorporated Chamber of Commerce and Shipping.  As chairman of the School of Commerce committee and in his experience as a professional accountant, he described that the work of the principal and his staff as not surpassed in the Free State; “There is scarcely a business in the city where you will not find past students of the school holding positions of responsibility, all of whom bear unmistakable marks of the training they have received in that in that institution. I can with confidence assert that this school has since its inception, definitely raised the standard of business efficiency and office organisation, not only in the city, but wherever our students have found employment”.

To be continued…

A list of winning projects in the 2013 edition (City and County) of the Discover Cork: Schools’ Heritage Project can now be viewed at Kieran’s heritage website www.corkheritage.ie.

Caption:

686a. Henry Hill’s design for Cork School of Commerce and Domestic Science, c.1935 (source: Cork City Library)