I was for two years a pupil at the Model School in Fort street which was then conducted upon the Irish national system, and if any special religious instruction was given in connection with that system, I do not recollect it.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Moral training in Ireland is severe and lasts until marriage. Even in childhood, we are taught by the pious clergy to battle against bad thoughts so that we may preserve our holy purity.
The reality of life in Northern Ireland is that if you were Protestant, you learned British history, and if you were Catholic, you learned Irish history in school.
I had an Irish Catholic education. Horrible nuns, vindictive and cruel.
Growing up, I was your classic Catholic Irish kid. I went to mass every Sunday. Then in secondary school I went to boarding school, and there was mass seven days a week before breakfast - it may have put me off!
My mother's family were full-on Irish Catholics - faith in an elaborate old fashioned, highly conservative and madly baroque style. I sort of fell out of the tribe over women's rights and social justice issues when I was just 13 years old.
But let's just say, I'm Irish. I grew up in the 1950s. Religion had a very tight iron fist.
My parents were Belfast Catholics.
As a proud Catholic, I know the impact that faith-based education can have in our society and have witnessed it first hand in my district.
I was brought up a Catholic and I was quite fervent, because I was sent to a convent school.
When I was growing up, I went to an Irish-Christian missionary school.