Madam, — I write concerning David Limond's letters of September 27th October 4th in which he proposes and then defends his assertion that Patrick Pearse's school at St Enda's was remarkable for its "fascism", rather than for its progressive and pioneering educational initiatives. His emotive comments, made without any source evidence to sustain them, are at variance with many original sources.
To take but three of these: firstly, the contents of the school prospectus which outlined a new approach to both course work and the formation of character; secondly, the report by the state inspectors in May 1910 which was favourable to the new teaching methods in use at the school; and, thirdly, the correspondence of Pearse himself on educational and other matters.
Pearse's correspondence should be well known to David Limond, writing,as he does, from the School of Education at Trinity College, Dublin. This correspondence was edited and published by Seamas Ó Buachalla, senior lecturer in education at Trinity in 1980 with the title, The Letters of P.H. Pearse. In a foreword to these letters, F.S.L. Lyons, provost of Trinity College and eminent historian, remarked that the view of Pearse "as a brilliant and forward-looking headmaster can only be enhanced by the publication of the letters which bring out repeatedly his attention to detail, his meticulousness in money matters, and above all his personal knowledge of and affection for the boys in his care".
Is David Limond seriously suggesting that these two distinguished scholars from Trinity College have got it wrong? - Yours, etc,
Dr BRIAN P MURPHY osb,
Glenstal Abbey,
Murroe,
Co Limerick.