Lurgan Model Primary School Traditional Cache

Situated in Brownlow Terrace, Lurgan Model School was part of the national schools programme proposed in 1831, in which each county in Ireland would have at least one school that would serve as an example to other national schools in the area, and as a teacher training establishment.

Initially it had a multi-denominational intake, offered such services as night classes and industry-relevant vocational courses, and was enthusiastically supported by William Brownlow, who is thought to have been instrumental in bringing the school to the town. It was undermined, however, by church interests, which were opposed to its lack of ecclesiastical control, and criticism of the efficiency of its management, hence losing much of its earlier prestige as the premier educational establishment in the town.

The school building is an impressive feature with a clock tower, and of brick and stone facings, overlooked the former goods shunting yard of Lurgan railway station.

Constructed at a cost of £6000, between 1861 and 1863, it was designed to accommodate 200 in the boys school, 150 in the girls and 100 infants, at a time when the towns’ population numbered 7000, and was already served by six other schools each accommodating approximately 150 pupils.

Both my father and uncle attended "The Model", and, later on, my uncle began his teaching career at the school. My father has often told me that it was watching trains shunting in the goods yard from accross the road at the school that fostered both his and my uncle's love of steam trains.

Below is a copy of the original announcement of the opening of the school:

Will be opened for the reception of Pupils ON MONDAY, THE 2ND DAY OF MARCH, 1863.

THIS INSITUTION WILL EMBRACE Departments for Boys, Girls, and Infants, each of which will be under the superintendence of a competent Teacher, aided by efficient Assistants.

The course of instruction in the BOY’S SCHOOL will include all the branches of a sound Mercantile and Preparatory Scientific Education.

While all the branches appropriate to FEMALE EDUCATION will receive due attention, especial care will be taken to make the Girls proficient in the several kinds of Needle work.

The chief object in the INFANTS’ Department will to train the mind to habits of attention and cheerful obedience, and thus to prepare the way for the instruction given in the higher Departments. The attendance at the Infant School will be restricted to children under the age of seven years.

Arrangements will be made to affording Instruction to all the Pupils in vocal Music and Elementary Drawing. Lectures on Natural Philosophy, illustrated by Charts and Apparatus, will be delivered by Dr. Clarke, Lecturer on Physical Science to the Commissioners; or, by the Teachers under his superintendence.

The Rates of payment will be the same as the Commissioners have adopted in the other Model Schools established by them, viz. : - 5s., 2s 6d. and 1s. per Quarter, regulated in accordance with the circumstances of the Parents. In all cases the payment must be made in advance; no deduction will be made on the account of absent time.

The gates of the Institution will be opened each day at Nine o’Clock am., the business will commence at Half-past Nine, and will terminate at Three o’Clock. On Saturdays the schools will close at One o’Clock. A sufficient portion of the School hours will be set apart daily for SEPARATE RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION, and every facility will be afforded to the Clergy of the different denominations for superintending and directing the Religious Education of the Children of the several flocks.

(By desire of the Commissioners of national education)

The Cache