1773
In 1773 a school existed in Raheny. It was called 'Raheny Parochial School'. It was a Church of Ireland parish school. It had only one teacher. His name was William Biggs.
English was the only subject taught in the school, in order to help protect and promote the English language and English culture. It is not known where the school was located.
1787
In 1787 a 'new' Church of Ireland Parochial School was built in Raheny. William Biggs continued working as the school's only teacher. Samuel Dick funded the building of the school, because he wanted to help educate the poor children of Raheny. It then became known as Dick's Charity School.
About Samuel Dick
What do we know about Samuel Dick?
Edenmore House
Edenmore House today known as St. Joseph's Hospital, Raheny, Co. Dublin.
Courtesy of Geraldine O' Connor 2006.Edenmore House
Courtesy of Geraldine O' Connor 2006.
Courtesy of Geraldine O' Connor 2006.
Edenmore House
Edenmore House today known as St. Joseph's Hospital, Raheny, Co. Dublin.
Courtesy of Geraldine O' Connor 2006.
Crescent Cottages Raheny
When Samuel Dick died in 1802, he left the Crescent Cottages in Raheny village to the people who looked after the school.
Courtesy of www.raheny.comCrescent Cottages Raheny
Courtesy of www.raheny.com
Courtesy of www.raheny.com
Crescent Cottages Raheny
When Samuel Dick died in 1802, he left the Crescent Cottages in Raheny village to the people who looked after the school.
Courtesy of www.raheny.comSamuel Dick was a very successful Linen Merchant. He lived in Violet Hill, which later became known as Edenmore House and is known today as St. Joseph's Hospital.
He was a director of Bank of Ireland and he held the top job as Governor from 1797 to 1799. He was also a director of the Hibernian Insurance Company and was a trustee of the Malahide Turnpike Road, which controlled the repairing of the Malahide, Howth and Clontarf Roads.
When Samuel Dick died in 1802, he left the Crescent Cottages in Raheny village to the people who looked after the school, so that the rent from Crescent Cottages could be used to pay the salary of the school's teacher. At that time the government did not pay teachers or fund schools.
What do we know about Dick's Charity School?
Dick's Charity School
Dick's Charity School cost Samuel Dick £150 to build in 1787. The two storey building still exists today but in the form of a restaurant.
Dick's Charity School
Dick's Charity School
Dick's Charity School cost Samuel Dick £150 to build in 1787. The two storey building still exists today but in the form of a restaurant.
Dick's Charity School
cost Samuel Dick £150
to build in 1787. The two storey building still exists today. It is located in the centre of Raheny, but is now used as a restaurant.
Samuel Dick's School House today.
This is a photograph of Samuel Dick's old school house today. It was built in 1787. Samuel Dick was a well-to-do merchant who lived at Violet Hill (which was later renamed Edenmore House and now St. Joseph's Hospital). After Samuel Dick died in 1801, this was funded by a Trust (the successor to which still exists) providing an income for "an endowment for a school in Raheny for poor children of all persuasions".
Courtesy of www.raheny.com
Old money explained
Old money's value calculated.
Raheny Schools Timeline Through the Centuries
Raheny Schools Timeline Through the Centuries