The story of St. Joseph's Institute for Deaf and Dumb Females 1892-1940

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Posted by Noel O'Connell, community karma 47

In the history of Irish deaf education, an interesting link existed between St. Joseph’s Institute for Deaf and Dumb Females in Rochfortbridge, a small village on the small tributary of the River Boyne in the southern part of County Westmeath and St. Mary’s School for Deaf Girls in Cabra on the north side of Dublin. This article highlights the connection between the two schools by studying letter correspondences on the procurement of deaf teachers that took place during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. While the school in Rochfortbridge was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1892, St. Mary’s School was run by the Dominican Sisters from 1847. The contributions of these religious women are studied showing how the opening of St. Joseph’s Institute marked a significant milestone in the history of deaf education in Ireland. Until now, very little research has been conducted on the history of this particular school. However, for the first time, the Institute’s connection with St. Mary’s is contextualised as a central narrative and the religious women’s attempt at educating female deaf children is also explored. Consequently this study contributes new theories about Irish deaf education history. It affects an evaluation of the idea that St. Mary’s was the sole Catholic educational institution for female deaf children but, as illustrated here, both schools are a significant part of Irish deaf education history.