John McGahern’s Teaching Legacy: A Personal Reflection

Irish author John McGahern is celebrated for his literary prowess, but his brief tenure as a teacher left a lasting impression on his students. In the early 1960s, he taught a class of 56 pupils at Belgrove, Scoil Eoin Baiste (St John the Baptist) in Clontarf, Dublin. Among them was Noel Costello, who recalls the chaotic yet memorable days in McGahern’s classroom.

McGahern’s time at the school was cut short due to his controversial decision to marry a Finnish divorcee, which conflicted with the expectations of the local parish authorities, particularly the parish priest. As a result, he spent only a few months as a teacher, yet his influence was significant. Costello remembers McGahern as a teacher who often gazed out the window and assigned minimal homework, a welcome change for the students. Importantly, he also refrained from using corporal punishment, which was common at the time.

The year was tumultuous for both McGahern and his students. Costello’s class experienced a revolving door of teachers, leading to a lack of stability. In his novel The Leavetaking, McGahern captures the chaos of his final days at the school, offering a striking portrait of the headmaster, known to the students as “Baldy.” Costello notes the accuracy of McGahern’s descriptions, particularly Baldy’s habit of patting his bald head and wielding a bamboo cane as a disciplinary tool.

Reflecting on his own experiences, Costello recalls being sent to “the Wall” on multiple occasions for minor infractions, a punishment that involved facing the headmaster’s displeasure. He recounts a specific incident involving his elder brother, Bernard, who faced severe punishment for a misdeed he did not commit. This encounter with Baldy led to a confrontation with their mother, who vocally defended her son’s innocence, ultimately benefiting her younger children when they found themselves in similar situations.

While Costello acknowledges the headmaster’s role in discipline, he expresses a belief that Baldy was generally a decent man. In secondary school, the physical punishment shifted from the bamboo cane to leather straps, which were less impactful. He notes that the experience of punishment varied significantly between the two forms, with the bamboo cane leaving a more pronounced mark.

The conversation around corporal punishment in Ireland changed dramatically in the 1980s, thanks in part to advocates like Dr. Cyril Daly, the local doctor in Killester. Dr. Daly campaigned tirelessly for the abolition of corporal punishment, which was officially ended in schools in 1982. Costello reflects on the significance of Dr. Daly’s efforts, recognizing him as a pivotal figure in the movement to protect children from physical discipline.

Costello’s memories of McGahern and the educational environment of his childhood illustrate a complex interplay of authority, punishment, and advocacy. They serve not only as a personal reflection but also as a broader commentary on the evolution of educational practices in Ireland. The legacy of McGahern, both as a writer and a teacher, remains a significant part of this narrative, blending the realms of literature and lived experience.