The book deals with Thomas Orde, Chief Secretary for Ireland 1784–1787, and his plans for an innovative education scheme for Ireland. His education plan was introduced in the Irish House of Commons in 1787, but because of circumstances beyond Orde’s control, it never reached the stage of a second or third reading. It is, nevertheless, an important intervention in the history of Irish education, as it paved the way for educational research and a host of fresh plans for Irish education over the following half-century, culminating with the introduction of the National System in 1831.