Ballydown School Exterior

The Folk Museum houses a variety of old buildings and dwellings which have been collected from various parts of Ireland and rebuilt in the grounds of the museum, brick by brick.

Education has always been paramount in the psyche of Ulster-Scots communities.  This original school building was built in 1865 and originally stood beside Ballydown Presbyterian Church, near Banbridge County Down.  The National School system was established in 1831 to promote literacy and educate children of all religious denominations together.

The Ballydown School is architecturally typical of contemporary national schools built in this period.  Education was regimented and discipline was strictly enforced: however, a basic education was provided free of charge for which many pupils were grateful.