Furniture and fittings on school buildings can give us information about craftsmanship from the past. We can also compare what we see to modern equivalents. When we are examining artefacts from the past such as door handles and locks we can see that they are not all the same. Some door handles are very ornate.
Letterfinish toilet door
The condition of this outdoor toilet door is poor due to damage caused by the weather.
Photo taken by Geraldine O' Connor 2006.Letterfinish toilet door
Photo taken by Geraldine O' Connor 2006.
Photo taken by Geraldine O' Connor 2006.
Letterfinish toilet door
The condition of this outdoor toilet door is poor due to damage caused by the weather.
Photo taken by Geraldine O' Connor 2006.You can see the remains of the toilet door from Letterfinish National School, Co. Kerry
Letterfinish National School
Letterfinish National School, Sneem, Co. Kerry is an example of the what schools were like in the 19th Century. Evidence tells us that it was built in 1872. It is no longer in use as a school.
Photo taken by Geraldine O' Connor.
Letterfinish toilet latch
This is a close up view of the latch used on the toilet door in Letterfinish National School. It probably dates from the late 19th Century.
Photo taken by Geraldine O' Connor 2006.Letterfinish toilet latch
Photo taken by Geraldine O' Connor 2006.
Photo taken by Geraldine O' Connor 2006.
Letterfinish toilet latch
This is a close up view of the latch used on the toilet door in Letterfinish National School. It probably dates from the late 19th Century.
Photo taken by Geraldine O' Connor 2006.This latch from the toilet door in Letterfinish National School probably dates from around 1872 as that was when the school was built according to their plaque
Letterfinish school plaque
Although this plaque is exposed to weathering it shows us the year it was built - 1872.
Latch from mid 1800's.
The details on this shows it has a latch which you press to open the door. It does not have a keyhole but it may have a bolt on the inside.
Photo taken by Geraldine O' Connor 2006.Latch from mid 1800's.
Photo taken by Geraldine O' Connor 2006.
Photo taken by Geraldine O' Connor 2006.
Latch from mid 1800's.
The details on this shows it has a latch which you press to open the door. It does not have a keyhole but it may have a bolt on the inside.
Photo taken by Geraldine O' Connor 2006.
This latch comes from a door of the toilets from Lansdowne school outbuildings which dates from about 1837. Notice the details on it. It has a latch which you press to open the door. It does not have a keyhole but it may have a bolt on the inside. Perhaps it is made from brass or iron.
It is difficult to see because the door and latch have been painted over but we can guess that is was probably a type of iron, as brass would have been expensive to use for an outdoor shed.
19th Century door handle.
Notice that it still has a latch but that it also has a lock. We think it is probably made from brass.
Photo taken by Geraldine O' Connor 2006.19th Century door handle.
Photo taken by Geraldine O' Connor 2006.
Photo taken by Geraldine O' Connor 2006.
19th Century door handle.
Notice that it still has a latch but that it also has a lock. We think it is probably made from brass.
Photo taken by Geraldine O' Connor 2006.
This latch is taken from a school door of a later period in the 19th Century. Notice that it still has a latch but that it also has a lock. What do you think its made of ? Take a closer look. It is probably made of brass.