Dalkey School Project
Encyclopedia
The Dalkey School Project is a school in Glenageary
, County Dublin
in Ireland
. It was set up on September 18, 1978 by parents in Dublin who wanted their children to attend a Multidenominational school
.
At the time the vast majority of primary schools were National schools, which had religious patrons. (This is also true today, though to a lesser degree.)
Support for such a school came from Jack Lynch
, then head of Fianna Fáil
, the Labour Party
and some members of Fine Gael
. However the then minister for education, Richard Burke was not sympathetic.
During the years 1975-1978, the project members were involved in extensive correspondence with the Department of Education
and other bodies in order to prove the need for the school.
The school opened in 1978 with 90 pupils, largely due to the support of the then newly-elected Fianna Fáil government. Opposition came from a group calling itself Council for Social Concern and some but some also came from obstructing of planning permission according to Michael Johnston, who was chairman of the project.The school operated from various temporary premises until a dedicated school building was opened in 1983.
In 1984, Educate Together
was founded, a coordinating committee to coordinate efforts of groups trying to organise multi-denominational schools in the Republic of Ireland
.
In January 2009 Miriam Hurley was appointed principal, taking over from Christine Lennon.
Glenageary
Glenageary is an area in the suburbs of south County Dublin, Ireland, part of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County.While there is no officially defined boundary, it is surrounded by the areas of Sallynoggin, Dalkey, Dun Laoghaire, Glasthule and Johnstown...
, County Dublin
County Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. It was set up on September 18, 1978 by parents in Dublin who wanted their children to attend a Multidenominational school
Multidenominational school
A multidenominational school is a relatively new type of primary school in Ireland. They often try to move away from traditional models based around religion, which are common in Ireland, typically these are Roman Catholic and to a lesser extent Church of Ireland schools.Multidenominational schools...
.
At the time the vast majority of primary schools were National schools, which had religious patrons. (This is also true today, though to a lesser degree.)
Support for such a school came from Jack Lynch
Jack Lynch
John Mary "Jack" Lynch was the Taoiseach of Ireland, serving two terms in office; from 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979....
, then head of Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
, the Labour Party
Labour Party (Ireland)
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. The Labour Party was founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Unlike the other main Irish...
and some members of Fine Gael
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
. However the then minister for education, Richard Burke was not sympathetic.
During the years 1975-1978, the project members were involved in extensive correspondence with the Department of Education
Department of Education and Science (Ireland)
The Department of Education and Skills is a department of the Government of Ireland. It is led by the Minister for Education and Skills who is assisted by two Ministers of State.-Departmental team:...
and other bodies in order to prove the need for the school.
The school opened in 1978 with 90 pupils, largely due to the support of the then newly-elected Fianna Fáil government. Opposition came from a group calling itself Council for Social Concern and some but some also came from obstructing of planning permission according to Michael Johnston, who was chairman of the project.The school operated from various temporary premises until a dedicated school building was opened in 1983.
In 1984, Educate Together
Educate Together
Educate Together is an organisation in the Republic of Ireland which sets up and runs multidenominational, coeducational schools. It was founded in 1984 as a result of the Dalkey School Project to found a multidenominational primary school....
was founded, a coordinating committee to coordinate efforts of groups trying to organise multi-denominational schools in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
.
In January 2009 Miriam Hurley was appointed principal, taking over from Christine Lennon.