Christian Brothers’ achievements will pass the history test

THE same week the Christian Brothers ended two centuries of involvement in primary and secondary education, there was also the bizarre barring of three boys from an exam hall for having their hair cut too short.

The brothers have endured a storm of criticism for the actions of a tiny minority in their midst but, overall, they played a blinder in raising this country out of ignorance, poverty and indeed in helping cast off the yoke of foreign oppression.

People like Labour TD Emmet Stagg may call them “savage” and spit on their legacy, but when viewed through the prism of historical objectivity, their achievements will stand. Even Mr Stagg admits his experience of them had one positive (from his point of view) consequence: it encouraged him to become the committed socialist he is today. Sometimes, being taught by the brothers might have seemed like an ordeal, but this educational bootcamp experience turned out countless fine past pupils who went on to achieve great things in a wide range of professions and careers.