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Department of Education Decade of Centenaries Commemoration
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The Decade of Centenaries from 2012 to 2023, is a cross-government programme to remember and reflect on the significant historical events and themes which culminated in the foundation of the State.
As part of the decade, the Department undertook a number of commemorative projects, including delivering the national flag to more than 3,300 primary and special schools and over 700 post-primary schools; the rewriting of the proclamation project on scoilnet; the creation of resources on a number of areas such as how to use the Military Pensions Archive and the creation of a resource pack on Treaty, with the National Archives; the collation of resources on Scoilnet around a number of different areas including Ireland joining the League of Nations; and the annual All-Island Schools History competition for both primary and post-primary, in conjunction with UCC, which helped support and promote the study of history by students.
These commemorations were designed to help instil a deeper sense of historical awareness and national identity in the educational system, ensuring that future generations continue to learn from and appreciate the significance of these events.
On 24 January 2024, the Department of Education celebrated primary and post primary education since the Irish Free State. Dr Patrick O’Donovan and Dr Miriam Nyhan Grey presented two specially commissioned reports.
Primary and Post-Primary Education in the Irish Free State, 1922–1937 by Dr Patrick O’Donovan
Primary and Post-Primary Education in the Irish Free State, 1922–1937 -Dr Patrick F O’Donovan
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“The School Man” Minister Donogh O’Malley and the Free Secondary Education Scheme by Dr. Miriam Nyhan Grey
“ The School Man” Minister Donogh O’Malley and the Free Secondary Education Scheme By Dr. Miriam Nyhan Grey
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This photo-essay was funded through the Decade of Centenaries programme. It follows the journey and careers of pioneering professional women in the Inspectorate from the 1830s to 1998. It was written by Frances Moss and Fintan O’Mahony, post-primary inspectors, with the support and contributions from historians Patrick O’Donovan and Sinead McCoole, and contributions from former inspectors, Emer Egan, Doreen McMorris and Maura Clancy.
The Department will plan the commemoration of the bicentenary of the Education in Ireland which will take place in 2031.