HUGH HERRITY, BORN 1921, GLENDOWAN

Hugh Herrity is a native of Gortahork where he spent his childhood years. He discusses his early education and the awarding to him of a scholarship to an Irish School in Mallow initially and later in Ballyvourney, County Cork. He qualified as a national teacher from St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra in 1943. He spent much of his teaching career in Glenswilly, and he discusses the teaching practices and the curriculum for national schools at that time. He also discusses the amalgamation of small rural schools. During the latter part of this recording, compiled at Eileen McGinley’s guesthouse (the location of the old Glenswilly School), Hugh recalls the temporary school which was housed here in the 1930s. Hugh retired as principal of Glenswilly National School in 1982.