The Fortunes of Education as a Subject of Study and of Research in Ireland

When one examines the traditional pattern of the study of Education in modern Ireland one is struck by its very chequered history. There have been periods of breakthrough, promise and of serious concern for its promotion. These were succeeded, jowever, by long valley-periods where the approach to the subject was unimaginative, instrumental and intellectually shallow. Regrettably the latter was the more predominant pattern. One considers that an appraisal of this tradition is important for a number of reasons. It is a topic of considerable interest in itself. It is a topic which has been very much neglected in published research. The strength or weakness of educational studies has had an intimate bearing on the quality of the education system in modern Ireland. One asserts that the neglect of educational studies has been a weakness in the intellectual and cultural life of Irish society. Such an appraisal may also be timely in that certain gains which have been made may be under threat through current policies and further desirable developments may be seriously restricted