Richard Lyttle Memorial School

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

This building was surveyed in the First Survey but not listed. Only a Partial Survey was taken during the Second Survey as the building is not of sufficient interest to warrant a full Second Survey.

Historical information

Reverend Richard Lyttle - Born 1866
Moneyrea 1889 - 1905
Was a remarkable man. In addition to his pastoral duties he worked tirelessly for the benefit of tennant farmers in the cause of Land Reform. To abolish landlords and to anable tenant farmers to own their own land which they had worked on for years.
Although he was not a separatist he was a strong supporter of home rule. He was in many ways ahead of his time. He always put up a strong case for equal rights for women. "Women were the more industrious half of humanity and the countries which had refused to grant them their rights lost a great force for good"

He always put his case with respect and held no malice and debated with authority in high places. He died at the age of 39 in England on his way home from a conference in Switzerland. His funeral was well attended and the route of the funeral cortege from Belfast docks to Moneyrea was lined with onlookers of every denomination and creed, young and old from every walk of life paying tribute to a remarkable man.
Taken from various publications.

THE LYTTLE MEMORIAL (MONEYREA)
There has been a school in Moneyreas since the 1700's. Moneyrea church is the oldest building in the village dating from 1719. Present building 1770. The first school was held in the church itself. Next in the old national school building (still existing) Then in 1907/1908 the Lyttle Memorial School was built and officially opened on 30 May 1908.
The red granite or marbel inscription reads:- Moneyrea National School 1908. Erected by public subscription in memory of Richard Lyttle minister of Moneyrea 1889 - 1905. A beautiful life consecrated to noble ends. He gave his best to God, his country and fellow men.

The school was opened to all children to enter it for education. To be conducted on the broadest non-sectarian basis, irrespective of class or creed as a fitting memorial to uphold the same values that Richard Lyttle fought so hard to attain.
In the 1960's the building was altered for use as a community/church hall and in the process the frontal appearance of what was an attractive modern building was altered.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Used as a school from 1908-1961, this building was surveyed in the First Survey but not listed. Only a Partial Survey was taken during the Second Survey as the building is not of sufficient interest to warrant a full Second Survey.

General comments

This building was surveyed in the First Survey but not listed. Only a Partial Survey was taken during the Second Survey as the building is not of sufficient interest to warrant a full Second Survey.