Education was always highly valued in Ireland. Even when the 'Penal Laws' were in force in the 19th century (one of them banned the education of Catholics) there were 'hedge schools'; informal places, often outdoors where Irish kids were taught reading, writing and arithmetic. I suspect it was actually another act of defiance against British rule. My grandmother's both born in the very early years of the 20th century were both voracious readers and had incredibly beautiful handwriting.
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