New book published about Grammar School
AT a time when people’s attention spans have been reduced to seconds, it’s reassuring to see a seat of learning that has stood the test of centuries.
Drogheda Grammar School is this year celebrating 350 years of providing the best in education to its students, and to mark the milestone event, current Headmaster Hugh Baker has compiled a beautiful book, edited by local historian and author John McCullen.
Brimming with historical facts and wonderful photographs, it pays tribute to those who have walked its corridors since 1669, and the passion of Mr Baker for the school and the success of its students is clear.
“I feel humbled and blessed to be working in this school. Past pupils speak with such a sparkle in their eye when talking about the school, you can’t help but feel pride” says Mr Baker.
“It was, and is, such an important school, not only in Drogheda’s history but the history of our country, that you can’t help but feel a responsibility to uphold its reputation and work hard to continue to evolve and improve.”
Michael Quane had previously written an excellent book for the Louth Archaeological Society on the school’s early history but nothing had really been done since, so given the momentous anniversary, the time felt right to document the history of the school, in particular from the 1950s to the present day.
“This was the ideal opportunity to tidy up the archives, reconnect with past pupils, show our current students what a great history they belong to and leave something lasting behind on the 350th anniversary for future students,” added the Headmaster.
“I hope anyone with an interest in education, our school and also in the history of Drogheda itself will enjoy the book, and we have tried to mix the historical with the anecdotal to give a varied snapshot of life in the school, both in Laurence Street and now in Edenview.”
With beautiful illustrations of the town, as well as rare photographs, the book chronicles the timeline of the school, which was founded in Drogheda during turbulent times.
Established in 1669 as an Erasmus Smith school, it was originally located beside the Boyne towards the courthouse, before a move to the magnificent Singleton House in Laurence Street.
It suffered mixed fortunes over the years, and was on the brink of closure on a number of occasions, but always weathered the storm.