Past pupils honour ‘architect of vocational education’
The past pupils unions (PPU) of both the North Monastery and Christian Brothers’ Colleges (CBC) are working on a programme of events to honour the memory and legacy of Br James Dominic Burke — widely recognised as the architect of vocational and technical education in Ireland.
Jim O’Connell, the president of the North Monastery PPU, said they hope to stage an exhibition later in the spring.
But it is also hoped the city council will incorporate a permanent memorial to Br Burke in the revamped Fitzgerald Park, where he and his students participated in the Great Cork Exhibition in 1902.
“Brother Burke’s contribution to Cork and to Ireland’s educational system was immense, and it is fitting that these two schools, and the city, would give due recognition to this great man,” Mr O’Connell said.
Br Burke, who began teaching natural philosophy (science) at the North Mon in 1857, pioneered vocational and practical education and introduced subjects such as trigonometry, physics and astronomy.
He amassed a vast collection of scientific equipment for the school, including electric dynamos, gas and steam engines, and zoological specimens, some of which survive to this day.
In 1877, he organised a light show over Cork, by connecting a battery of 120 callan cells to a huge lamp on the wall of the school, to demonstrate the potential of electricity. It took place two years before Thomas Edison was credited with inventing the light bulb.
Br Burke’s teaching methods were replicated in Christian Brothers’ schools across the country.
He was appointed the first principal of CBC, which celebrated its 125th anniversary last year.
In 1902, his 50th year as a Christian Brother, he was made president of the newly formed Scientific Association in Cork.
He died in March 1904, a week after being knocked down by a horse and carriage as he crossed St Patrick’s St.
Pat Cashman, a member of CBC’s PPU, said they were delighted to be involved.
“Our hope is to use the year to commemorate Br Burke in a way that will provide inspiration to current and future generations in such vital areas as science, technology and innovation,” he said.
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The Central Bank plans to issue a special coin later this year honouring the Irish-born inventor of the modern submarine.
It is expected that the €15 silver proof coin, bearing an image of John Philip Holland who tested some of his early prototypes on the grounds of a Cork school, will be issued in September.
Tony Duggan, the retired deputy principal of the gaelcholáiste at the North Mon in Cork City, has been campaigning for years for more recognition of the forgotten genius.
“Holland is one of those iconic Irish people who is sadly more recognised abroad than in Ireland,” Mr Duggan said. “Hopefully, this coin issue and other events planned for this year to mark the centenary of his death, will help to correct the imbalance.”
Holland’s father, John Holland Sr, was born in Bantry around 1800, and John Philip was born in Liscannor, Co Clare, in 1841. He was taught in the North Mon from 1858 to 1861, where he drew up his first submarine designs and conducted several experiments of wooden prototype craft in the school’s ornamental pond and in the River Lee.
By 1897, his first submarine was launched in the US. By Oct 1900, the Holland 6 was commissioned into the US Navy.
He also designed the first submarines in the British, Japanese, and Dutch navies, marine craft which changed the course of history.
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