A really good man: Peter Goodman and his contribution to music in Irish primary education

Abstract

The writer has conducted an extensive historical investigation into music in the Irish primary school system. One individual, Peter Goodman, Ireland's first music inspector, emerged as being a character central to the introduction of music to primary schools in 1900, and to the subsequent in-service education provided for teachers. This paper outlines Goodman's work in this area, and traces his promotion of the Curwen sol-fa system, and his contribution to the promotion of church music. Goodman wrote prolifically describing his work, and his reports were included in the annual Reports of the Board of Commissioners of National Education. From these archival sources emerges a picture of an individual full of enthusiasm and zeal for his mission, and with some ideas and aspirations that are just as valid today as when he first conceived them a century ago.