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Donegal 1930s schools’ manuscript
launched
15.10.18
‘SCÉALTAÍ: The 1930s
Schools’ Manuscript Collection in County Donegal’, a
unique booklet capturing an insight into the life, material culture, heritage and folklore
in the 1930s was successfully launched at a special event
in Dooish National School, Ballybofey.
“In 1937-1938, the Irish Folklore Commission, in
collaboration with the Department of Education and
the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, initiated
a revolutionary scheme in which schoolchildren were
encouraged to collect and document folklore,
material culture, heritage and local history. Over
a period of eighteen months, over 50,000 children in
5,000 primary schools in twenty-six counties were
encouraged to collect folklore material in their
home districts on themes such as local history and
monuments, folktales and legends, riddles and
proverbs, songs, customs and beliefs, games and
pastimes, traditional work practices and crafts”
explains Joseph Gallagher, Heritage Officer with
Donegal County Council. |
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Kathleen Gallagher, Letterkenny,
Margaret McGinty, Glenfinn and Mairead Cunningham,
Carrick who all contributed to the Scealtai project
in the 1930's. Pictured at the launch of Scealtai,
The 1930s Schools' Manuscript Collection of County
Donegal, in Dooish NS, Ballybofey. |
“The Schools’
Manuscript Collection is a national treasure, truly
unique in its substance and in its execution,” said
author Dr. Eithne Ní Ghallchobhair. “On a national
level, it’s fascinating to note that while this
extraordinarily successful project was coordinated
at the highest administrative level, the groundwork
was completed by children. The Schools’ Manuscript
Collection in its entirety is the ultimate tribute
to them and to the teachers of the time who worked
in circumstances far beyond the call of duty and
whose commitment and enthusiasm was paramount to the
success of the scheme. That this work was done by
children in their own localities with nothing other
than pen and paper enhances its merit and secures
the Schools’ Manuscript Collection in the affections
of everyone interested in the heritage and oral
traditions of Ireland.”
Copies of the free booklet will be made available to
schools through the Donegal Education Centre. |
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