Billy Gallagher

In 1954 I was bundled off to boarding school in Castleknock in Dublin.  The choice of school was determined by the fact that I failed the 11+ thereby disqualifying myself from secondary schooling in the North.  My parents discussed in detail the school we should go to with a dreadful alcoholic priest from Donegal who called regularly to our house.  His visit was usually for Drink and often he had to stay the night being incapable of getting home.  He also suffered from scruples and while saying Mass could easily get stuck for prolonged periods especially as he approached the Consecration.  At that time priests were held in such awe so, no matter how dysfunctional, were treated with respect and reverence.  Latterly when he became increasingly unbearable my parents, if they observed his approach, met him as they were going out the door with their coats on. They would drive around for hours until they saw his car was gone.  If we were stuck in the house with this huge man he would be looking for drink but we would make him tea.

Going to Castleknock was a profound cultural shock for a very small boy (I was the smallest in the school) from Northern Ireland.  Northern Catholics had an inbuilt inferiority complex aided and abetted by our dreadful primary education.

The boys in Castleknock were sons of farmers, merchants and professional people from all over the country.  It was a very Catholic organisation run by Vincentian priests (17) with perhaps 8 lay teachers.  It was a thoroughly good environment for young men of the 1950s.  Corporal punishment was meted out regularly for any small misdemeanour including being late for morning prayer (7.15) – 2-4 strikes of the cane on the hand; smoking (4); breaking bounds (6); no homework (2-4); out of bed (2-4) etc.  Punishment was straightforward and without malice, just part of the day’s work.  In the normal course of events you would expect one or two misdemeanours every week.  Always we were sent down to the Dean or the Prefect of Studies (for study related offences) perhaps with a note describing the offence.

Being in a year of about 50 others divided into “A” (good, intelligent, honours pupils) and “B” (the plodders including a couple of hopeless cases who would never ever pass anything).  In those days if your parents sent you to Castleknock and paid (€120 per annum) there was no differentiation between any “B” class students.  I remember one dyslexic individual who never discovered his problem and another poor chap, son of a very strict barrister, who didn’t seem able to cope with any subject.

We were in class together (20/24 in class); in dormitory together (15 to 20 in each, beds divided by pullover curtains); and at the table together (8 to a table) for mealtimes.  Everyone had own bed/table place/desk/place in chapel etc dedicated every year.  That was how the Dean could monitor anyone missing.