1835

In 1835 Raheny's first official Roman Catholic School joined the National School System.

Old National School c.19th Century.
Courtesy of Geraldine O' Connor 2006.

Schools had to officially join the National School System. The schools that joined it became known as National Schools and had to follow the National School System's rules. Like schools that joined the Kildare Place Society, National Schools, in the beginning, were non-denominational.

The money given by the government for the National School System was used to help build and repair schools, pay inspectors and teachers, publish textbooks and run a teacher training college. The government's money did not pay for everything and local communities were still expected to raise money to help pay teachers salaries, buy furniture and repair the school. Local communities also had to provide the site for a new school and raise one third of the money it cost to build it.

This document below is taken from a book called 'Topographical Dictionary of Ireland'. It was written by Samuel Lewis and published in London in 1837. This book provided information about every parish in Ireland in 1837. This page tells us about Raheny at that time.