'At that time, central heating had not arrived n schools and these very cold classrooms were extremely large with high ceilings and windows that seems to stretch forever up into the sky.'

'At that time, central heating had not arrived n schools and these very cold classrooms were extremely large with high ceilings and windows that seems to stretch forever up into the sky.'

Theresa Byrne describes the classroom in her school. She remembers how cold they were as there was no central heating and the only decorations were religious pictures. She recalls the relgious ceremonies and celebrations that were held throughout the school year, in particular, the May Procession where they would wear a white dress and veil.

Theresa Byrne

Trinity College Dublin

1955

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Theresa Byrne

Childhood and Early Life

Life Story

Dublin

1950s

A lone coal fire was the only form of heating in schools then and we took turns to pile on coal to keep it glowing. I was lucky enough to be seated on that side of the room, but usually the teacher's desk and blackboard helped block the heat reaching any of us children. At that time, central heating had not arrived n schools and these very cold classrooms were extremely large with high ceilings and windows that seems to stretch forever up into the sky. The only things of beauty to behold in those rooms were the numerous holy pictures hanging on the walls. In our school also, we had the _��Children of Mary Sodality'. This was held one night a month and many day and past pupils participated. The problem for me arose when St. Therese would beckon to me to start the hymn and continued beckoning with her elbow until you just did. This was the nun in charge of the school choir which I loved and it was from here that many of the girls were auditioned and accepted into the Franciscan choir.During the month of May, the whole school would assemble each Friday to participate and walk through the grounds or the May procession. Everyone was encouraged to wear a white dress and veil. It would finish with the rosary and prayers around the statute of Mary in the convent grounds. I remember the statue being painted by one girl's father in thanksgiving for his daughter's recovery from a serious illness.

Irish Research Council for Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (IRCHSS)

Dr Kathleen McTiernan (Trinity College Dublin)

Dr Deirdre O'Donnell (Trinity College Dublin)