CONFERENCE: The Education of a Nation – The Role of the Edgeworths

The Maria Edgeworth Centre in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford is hosting an International Conference on the origins of our Primary School System in Ireland. Titled: The Education of a Nation – The Role of the Edgeworths.

2023 is the 225th anniversary of the publication of Maria Edgeworth’s major work on education ‘Practical Education’. Both Richard Lovell Edgeworth’s Education Bill of 1799 and Maria’s essays are accredited with being the catalysts which laid the foundation stone for the passing of the Education Act of 1831 which led to the implementation of a formal primary education system in Ireland. Acclaimed speakers from Ireland, Scotland, England, Italy and the US will attend.  The conference will discuss whether Edgeworth’s vision has a message for us now when school patronage and religious instruction is such a contested issue in Ireland today. The conference should be of great interest to educationalists, historians and those interested in the life of this remarkable family.

Date: Friday 5th May Venue: Edgeworthstown Co Longford

Registration is free and includes lunch and refreshments.

For full conference details and registration click here.