the history of clayton hotel ballsbridge · clayton hotel ballsbridge now stands as one of the...
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A Day in the Life of a Student (1939- 1945) Compiled by Gertie Campbell, a past pupil.
Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge now stands as one of the finest four star hotels in Dublin.
However, in 1880 the building was a very different place and originally stood as the
Masonic Girl’s school.
The school was designed by McCurdy and Mitchell, the architectural practice of John
McCurdy and William Mansfield Mitchell. McCurdy and Mitchell also designed the
Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin; many of the buildings in Trinity College Dublin, including
the Anatomical Museum, the School of Physiology, and the Chemistry Building; parts
of Saint Columba’s College, Rathfarnham; and Lowther Lodge, north of Ballsbridge,
which every schoolboy in Gormanston who went on beach walks or played beach
cricket knew as “Filgate’s”.
McCurdy and Mitchell designed the new Masonic Girl’s School was designed in the
Queen Anne style, and the foundation stone was laid on 24th June 1880 by Duke of
Abercorn. The cost was estimated at £12,000, and the building was brought “almost to
completion” by the building contractors Gahan & Son, who went bankrupt in process.
The building was completed under the supervision of William Bolger and the new
school opened in 1881. The final cost of building came in at just under £15,000.
The school stood on 10-acres site and as well as schoolrooms included a library,
dormitories, recreation and dining areas, around 2 sides of a quadrangle. The school
entrance was beneath a corner tower that was not merely ornamental but also
contained all the works connected with the water supply of both the building and the
bathrooms.
Inside, despite the military style order, cleanliness and sparse impressions, the rooms
were airy and bright and the dormitories were cheerful. Most of the fittings and
furniture were made and bought in Ireland.
The large drill hall (now known as Thomas Prior Hall) stood beside the main buildings
and was also used for prayers and meetings. The hall still boasts many of its original
features, such as ornate oak-panelled walls, stained glass windows, original mosaic
tiling, a choir balcony and a vaulted wooden ceiling.
The school closed in 1970 and the building was bought by the Royal Dublin Society and
renamed Thomas Prior House after one of the founding members.
T h e M a s o n i c O rd e r i n I re l a n d & Fre e m a s o n r yThe Masonic Order came to Ireland in the 1690’s. The origins of Masonry date back
to the days of the building of King Solomon’s Temple and the stonemason guilds that
were formed. The foundations of Freemasonry are based on the following 3 principles;
1) Joining together men of goodwill who live by and teach a basic moral code
2) Practising an ancient ritual handed down over centuries
3) Providing aid and comfort to the families of deceased or distressed members
It was in accordance with the third principle that the Masonic Girls School in Ballsbridge
was formed, acting as a charity to the daughters of deceased or distressed Freemasons.
It was considered a huge honour to be a student at the school in its day. Freemasons
were from all social classes and was perhaps one of the only social organisations in the
19th century that did not discriminate against Roman Catholics.
Although the school closed in 1972, the fund has continued with its good work.
Daughters of deceased or distressed Freemasons still receive education in the schools
of their own or their parents own choice.
T h e H i s t o r y o f C L A Y T O N H O T E L B A L L S B R I D G E
6.45amFirst bell of the day. Students had to
wash, dress and make their beds.
7.25amSecond bell of the day. Students had to
assemble downstairs in the ‘Playroom’
before marching into the ‘Dining Room’
single fi le for breakfast. A senior student
would play ‘Amazing Grace’ on the piano
and students would sing along every
morning before eating.
8.00amChores such as washing up, clearing,
dusting and polishing would be carried
out. The most undesired chore would be
assisting the Matron in the ‘Tonic Room’
where poorly students would go with
their ills and chills
8.45amStudents would assemble in the
Drill Hall for Morning Prayer and any
announcements
11.00am- 11.15amMid-morning break for a cup of hot or
cold milk with bread and butter
11.15am- 12.30amMorning class
12.45pm- 1.30pmDinner in the dining room. Pupils on
dining room rota would then wash up and
lay tables for the next meal
2.00pmAfternoon class
3.30pmMusic practice and outdoor sports.
Winter- Hockey and netball,
Summer- Tennis, badminton and
rounders
5.00pmStudents had to clean their shoes in the
basement, checked by a Decade Captain
who was in charge on £10 girls each
5.30pmTeatime. Birthday celebrants would give
money for their own table with cake for
their friends
6.45pm- 8.15pmEvening study would take place in the
school room where talking was strictly
prohibited
8.30pmEvening prayers with a “night cap” of milk
and biscuits
8.45pmStudents would retreat upstairs to their
dormitories to prepare for bed and say
their prayers
9.15pm- Lights out.
No talking was allowed but some of the
girls huddled around and told stories. If a
student heard the footsteps of a Matron,
they would whisper “Nicks” as a warning.
A l l S c h o o l d a y s a re a P h a s eA poem by Ruth Caswell 1959 (a 5th year student)
All schooldays are a phase,
And all passing girls are truly scholars
They have their failures and their successes
And each in charge of 10 girls each
From junior to teenager. At fi rst the new-girl
Sobbing and moaning in her lonely state:
Then the perky junior with her books
And the sleepy reluctant face, dragging along
Unwillingly to class; and then, the more senior
On work more keen, but with a woeful tale
To make her mistress’ ear. Then the middle stage
Full of pranks outrageous, ever ready for argument
Perhaps jealous of the next, sudden and quick in quarrel
Seeking a good report
Even from the headmistress’ pen. And then the adolescent
The up and coming senior, sage with wit
With smiles serene, and thoughts of now past fun;
Full of wise quotes and the latest literature
And so plays her role. The next stage merges
Into the happy and hard-working pupil
With spectacles on her nose, eyes screwed to her books;
Her schoolgirl complexion, well kept, with hair-style wild,
In her new offi ce, and her reproving voice,
Turning again to check the juniors’ shouts
And screams from all around. Last scene of all
That ends this hectic life,
A happy smile, for parting comrades,
With wisdom, with learning, with knowledge, with everything!
Some Interesting Facts• Queen Victoria visited the school on Tuesday, April 24th, 1900 during her trip
to Ireland. She brought her fi fth daughter Princess Beatrice with her & the
Dowager Countess of Southampton. They only stayed a short time & never
actually entered the school itself
• Irish Political Leader Daniel O’ Connell was once a well-known member of the
Masonic Order in the early 19th Century. He later resigned after learning that
various Papal Bulls had been issued disapproving of the Order
• Many of the teachers in the school had their own cats. They would often bring
them with them for supper & students were to be extra careful not to catch
their tails in any doors
• Tragically, due to an outbreak in the school of scarlet fever in 1868 one of the
students passed away. However, with many girls suff ering from the illness &
surviving, this was seen as a miracle at the time & a testament to the excellent
facilities, health & medical standards of the School
• The youngest past pupil of the school Isobel Mahon, went on to be a well-
established actress who is better-known for her role as Michelle in RTE’s
‘Glenroe’