Dunmanway District Model School was one of 26 primary schools built in the early half of the 19th century as a model of best practice in education, in 1849. It had an agricultural department as well as a teacher training facility. Its long history as a primary school has seen many changes, we have reconstructed an old classroom to display memorabilia and give a flavour of was like at the time.
Sam started school at the age of 6 in 1883. As well as his homework, Sam had to bring a sod of turf to school. Afterwards, he went on to study at the national school in Ardfield (University of the Mountain), Clonakilty. Sam studied the subjects Horticulture, Maths, English, Geography, Physical Education, Book-Keeping, Line-drawing, Music, Science and Agriculture. However, he did not study, Irish and History. Sam left school at the age of 19 and went to London after.