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Whiddy Island is located off western Cork at the entry to Bantry Bay, not far from the tip of southern Ireland. It is approximately 5.6 km (3.5 mi) long and 2.4 km (1.5 mi) wide. The tereaine is gently-rolling glacial till, with relatively fertile soil. The island as late as 1880 the Island had a resident population of around 450 people pursuing fishing and small-scale farming. From that point the population has declined. It was home to Whiddy Island Naval Air Station which could have been of great benefit to the British in World War II in the campaign against the German U-boats, but the Irish were steadfastly neutral during the War and denied the use of the base to the British. This portrait at the small Island school was taken during the 1930s when the naval air station was still operating. A National school is a type of primary school that is financed directly by the State, but administered jointly by the State, a patron body, and local representatives. The school was opened in 1887. It was a modest one-room school, not counting the cloakroom/porch. It replaced an earlier structure which was mentioned in Lewis’ Topographical Dictionary of 1837. The boys wear mostly sweaters, shortpans and are barefoot. Om boy wears a suit and tie. The girls look to be wearing dresses, but is a little difficult to tell. Due to dwindling numbers after the closure of the air base, the school finally closed in December 1947.
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