What is now Sheila's Hostel was once Scoil Ide/Scoil Ite. The large blue three story terraced house was built in 1840 and looks over Cork city from it's high perch on Belgrave Place.
Scoil Ide was founded in 1916 by Maire and Eithne (Annie) MacSwiney, sisters of Terence.
The two MacSwiney sisters in their living room at Belgrave Place.
The girls school was modeled on Pearse's St Endas where Irish culture was the main curriculum. Eithne was a teacher on the Isle of Wight before coming back to Cork in 1904 following her mother's death. Maire was a teacher at St Angela's until events of Easter 1916 saw her sacked from her position.
Eithne (Annie) & Maire (Mary) MacSwiney.
Maire was one of the founder members of the Cork city branch of Cumann na mBan and during Easter Week 1916 she was one of many Cumann na mBan couriers in the Rebel County. Following the failed insurrection, RIC men unceremoniously entered her classroom one day to arrest her and thus put in motion her dismissal from her job. This act would result in the foundation of Scoil Ide.
Maire was blacklisted and so she decided with her sister Eithne to set up their own school at the MacSwiney home 4 Belgrave Place. The doors of School Ide opened on September 4th 1916.
The MacSwiney sisters with their brother Terence, his wife Muriel and their child Maire.
Maire was one of the founder members of the Cork city branch of Cumann na mBan and during Easter Week 1916 she was one of many Cumann na mBan couriers in the Rebel County. Following the failed insurrection, RIC men unceremoniously entered her classroom one day to arrest her and thus put in motion her dismissal from her job. This act would result in the foundation of Scoil Ide.
Maire was blacklisted and so she decided with her sister Eithne to set up their own school at the MacSwiney home 4 Belgrave Place. The doors of School Ide opened on September 4th 1916.
Pupils making music outside the school.
During the War of Independence members of the First Cork Brigade IRA provided a round the clock guard at Belgrave Place to protect it from crown forces.
In the aftermath of their brother's death on hunger strike, the MacSwiney sisters became more involved in the Republican movement. Maire accompanied Muriel to America where they spoke at rallies and fundraised for the cause of Irish freedom.
Maire & Muriel at the Capitol Building, Washington DC.
Maire was elected to the second Dail in 1921 as a TD for Cork city and when Civil War broke out in 1922 the MacSwineys sided with the Republicans against the Free State. It resulted in Maire being imprisoned in Mountjoy. While imprisoned, Maire went on hunger strike and so did her sister Eithne who was outside the gates!
Maire & Muriel in America with Harry Boland.
In the years after the foundation of the Free State the MacSwiney sisters continued with their school at Belgrave Place. In 1927 when De Valera founded Fianna Fail they refused to join the new party and stuck with what was left of Sinn Fein.
Pupils enjoying play time outside the school.
Maire presented with a Basque flag in 1932 by visitors from the Basque country.
Maire attending the Treaty debates 1921.
Maire was affected by bad health most of her life, in her childhood her foot was amputated when it became infected. She died on March 8th 1942 and when Dev offered to attend her funeral, Eithne flatly declined.
Eithne continued with School Ide until 1953 when she suffered a heart attack, she died a year later and was laid to rest with her sister in the MacSwiney grave in St Joseph's cemetery in Ballyphehane.
With the death of Eithne came the end of Scoil Ide. It closed its doors in the summer of 1954 and today a brass plaque there signifies the importance of No. 4 Belgrave Place.
The MacSwiney family plot, St Joseph's Cemetery.
The building in modern times.
That's an excellent blog Pauline, full of interest.
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