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’