Dalkey School Project

The Dalkey School Project is a school in Glenageary, County Dublin in Ireland. It was set up on 18 September 1978^[1] by parents in Dublin who wanted their children to attend a Multidenominational school.^[2]

At the time the vast majority of primary schools were National schools, which had religious patrons.

Support for such a school came from Jack Lynch, leader of Fianna Fáil, the Labour Party, and some members of Fine Gael.^[2] However the minister for education, Richard Burke was not sympathetic.^[2]

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.^[2]

The school opened in 1978 with 90 pupils, largely due to the support of the newly elected Fianna Fáil government,^[2] with Florence Armstrong as the Principal.^[3] Opposition came from a group calling itself Council for Social Concern and some also came from obstructing of planning permission according to Micheal Johnston, who was chairman of the project.^[4] The school operated from various temporary premises until a dedicated school building was opened in 1983.^[2]

In 1984, Educate Together was founded, a coordinating committee to coordinate efforts of groups trying to organize multi-denominational schools in the Republic of Ireland.

See also

• Education in the Republic of Ireland