St Michael's College, Listowel
| St. Michael's College | |
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Latin: "Who is like unto God" | |
| Location | |
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Listowel, County Kerry Ireland | |
| Information | |
| Website |
www |
St Michael's College, is an all-boys secondary school serving the town of Listowel, and the greater North County Kerry catchment area. The school is situated on the banks of the River Feale, and on the Cahirdown Road.
History
The school was founded by the Catholic Bishop of Kerry in 1879. The college was originally located in a town house in The Square, Listowel, but moved to the former fever hospital on the edge of the town, when that became available. With a student body of seventy mostly fee paying students, the college teachers were presided over by a President, who was a cleric up until 1989. Since, all principals/presidents have been lay persons.[1] The school celebrated its centenary with great enthusiasm in 1979.
The school retains its original home, and the old building still holds classes, offices and laboratories. Two extension programs have taken place since 1983. The first included the addition of ten new classrooms, an assembly hall, offices, a new staffroom and science laboratories. More recently in 2003, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern opened a new extension which contains a further five classrooms, woodwork and metalwork rooms and a chemistry demonstration room. Dressing rooms were added to the sports hall, and a new football pitch was inaugurated in 2009.[2]
Curriculum
The College values academic excellence and offers a curriculum which best meets the needs of the students within the context of available resources. It follows a five year cycle, with Junior Certificate for three years, and Leaving Certificate and Leaving Vocational Programme for two. Transition Year was introduced as an optional subject in 2010.
Sport
Participation in sport and cultural activities are strongly encouraged but apart from classes in Physical Education it is not compulsory. The traditional college sport is Gaelic football. There is also a provision for athletics, badminton, hurling, soccer, rugby, golf and swimming. Teams are entered for school competitions. Students are encouraged to enter and represent the College in Debating, Music, Bridge, All-Science Quiz, General Knowledge Quiz, Literary Competitions and Mathematic Competitions.
Notable past pupils
- Alfred O'Rahilly, noted academic, President of University College Cork and Teachta Dála (TD) for Cork City
- John B. Keane, poet, author, and playwright
- Jimmy Deenihan, Gaelic footballer, Teachta Dála, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs
- Páidí Ó Sé, Gaelic Footballer and Kerry GAA manager
- Bryan MacMahon, noted poet, author, playwright, and teacher
- Bryan MacMahon, Irish High Court judge
References
- ↑ http://www.iol.ie/~coganj/school.htm.
- ↑ http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/S/0110/S.0110.198512040007.html. Oireachtas Debate on the new buildings in St Michaels.