Catholic University School
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| Catholic University School SM Scoil na hOllscoile Caitleacai |
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| Motto | Sub Mariae Nominae |
| Established | 1867 |
| Location | 89 Lwr Leeson Street, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland |
| Students | 600 |
| Principal | Fr. Martin Daly |
| Religious order | Marists |
| Homepage | http://www.cus.ie |
Catholic University School (CUS) is a catholic all boys secondary school located in south central Dublin city. It is operated under the patronage of the Marist Fathers.
[edit] History
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To fully understand how and why CUS came to being, you have to understand Dublin and Ireland in 1850. Daniel O’Connell legally achieved Catholic emancipation in 1829. However, most of the regulations and divisions in society were still present in 1850. One such division was that of education. Most Catholics did receive some degree of primary education and few received secondary education but no Catholics received University education. This was because there were in no Universities in Ireland compatible for Catholics. The only university in Ireland at that time was Trinity College (University of Dublin), however, Catholics were forbidden to attend.
In 1850, Queen Victoria issued a charter of the Queens Universities of Ireland i.e. Queens University Belfast, Queens College Galway (now NUIG) and Queens College Cork (now UCC). These universities were non-denominational. At the Synod of Thurles in 1850, the Church officially condemned the Queens Universities as so-called ‘Godless colleges.’ The synod decided that there was an overwhelming necessity for a comprehensive Catholic University. As a result, they declared there to be a new ambitious objective – The Catholic University of Ireland. Enthusiasm for the project was high, no more so then after John Henry Cardinal Newman of Westminster consented to be the first rector.
The Catholic University of Ireland was founded in 1851 but was not fully established until the 18th of May 1854. However, the University was faced with many problems in its opening years. Mostly, they faced the problems of a lack of money; a lack of public and political support; and, most fundamentally, a lack of students. Dr. Daniel Murray was the archbishop of Dublin at the time. He foresaw this and so, by his own accord, he set up a school at 16-17 Harcourt Street. This school was named after the patron Saint of Dublin, St. Laurence O’Toole. St. Laurence’s Academy, founded in 1850, was accompanied by Belvedere College on the northside, as a Catholic secondary school in Dublin.
The first administrators in the school were mostly young Dublin priests who came from studying in the Irish College in Rome. One among them was Dr. James Quinn. Dr. Quinn immediately set about enrolling students and providing education. Within a year the school had an enrolment of 130 students. The subjects thought were not very practical. Greek, Latin, French, German, Italian and the Arts were all available at the time. The situation with the school at that time could not have been better. Dr. Quinn was subject to endless praise from many different quarters, including Cardinal Newman, for his efficiency and the greatness of the school he created. It is claimed by some that St. Laurence’s Academy was seen then as the principal Catholic school in Dublin. Dr. Quinn’s role in setting up this school went well recognised. So much so that Pope Pius XI chose him as the first catholic Archbishop of Brisbane, Australia, much to the detriment of all those connected with the school.
1859 was a bad year for the school. Not only had Dr. Quinn been taken away to Brisbane but also the reaction to the report from the Royal Commission on Endowed Schools, published the previous year, was coming to a head. The report suggested that all intermediate schools be run on a ‘mixed basis.’ This, I presume, means a multi-denominational system, with which the church was duly livid. The report also suggested that intermediate schools be under the management of the ‘Board of Endowed Schools.’ The Catholic Bishops and synods all around the country came out one by one in opposition to these recommendations. The Catholic hierarchy as a whole eventually decided that they would not under any circumstances agree to such recommendations.
By 1862, many changes had taken place regarding the situation. Paul Cardinal Cullen had succeeded Daniel Murray as Archbishop of Dublin in 1852. Cardinal Newman did not possess the great organisation skills expected of him. As a result, Dr. Bartholomew Woodlock replaced him as rector of the Catholic University. Dr. Woodlock suggested that the Catholic University should ignore the recommendations of the report and proceed with the foundation of Catholic secondary schools on its own. He decided to set up two new secondary schools: Catholic University High School, in Waterford, of which I can find no record and St. Flannan’s school in Ennis, County Clare, which still exists to this day. These two schools along with St. Laurence’s Academy were the Catholic Universities’ primary projects with regard to feeder schools. Over time, St. Laurence’s Academy developed an integral relationship with the University. Dr. Woodlock was President of the school and professors from the University also thought in the School. Dr. Woodlock did have one more idea. Instead of calling Dr. Quinn’s school ‘St. Laurence’s Academy,’ he decided to call it a name, which more accurately describes its function, Catholic University School.
Another aspect of the integral relationship between CUS and the Catholic University was that their finances were also intertwined. The rent for the Harcourt Street premises was an astronomical £260 per annum. Neither the school nor the University were able to cope with this huge financial burden. The other two schools were not succeeding either and Dr. Woodlock was not pleased with their progress. He was anxious to relieve himself of the burden of all three schools.
Catholic University School got into deeper and deeper financial trouble. As it did the future for the school became bleaker and bleaker. Cardinal Cullen was adamant that it was not possible for CUS to close down even for a year, because it would be possible that the school would never open again. He also knew that it was impossible for the school to continue in its current financial situation.
In the 1860s, a pattern had begun to emerge regarding education in conjunction with religious orders. Cardinal Cullen had observed intensively as religious orders began to set up schools in other areas of the country. Orders like the Holy Ghost Fathers, Carmelites and Dominicans all came to Ireland in and around the 1860s.
In February 1867 the future for CUS was bleak. Nevertheless, both Cardinal Cullen and Dr. Woodlock travelled to Dundalk to be present at the consecration of Michael Kiernan as Archbishop of Armagh. While they were there, they visited the Marist College in Dundalk and were very impressed at the structure and quality of schooling that had been put in place. Subsequently, Cardinal Cullen and Dr. Conroy, his secretary, wrote to Fr. John Letterrier, superior of Dundalk, and offered him and the Marists St. Laurence’s Academy to take over. Fr. Letterrier took this offer very seriously. He brought it to the General Council of the Marists in Lyons. His persistent two-day persuasion finally convinced the Council of the benefit of taking on the Dublin school.
After Fr. John Letterrier returned from Lyons in July 1867, Dr. Woodlock informed him of the crippling financial burden the Harcourt St. premises had been. He advised the Marists to locate nearby Harcourt St. and if possible to purchase the new premises. Fr. Letterrier worked hard at finding new premises for the school. When 89 Lower Leeson St. became available, the Marists immediately purchased it. The Harcourt St. site remained on as the premises for the school for a short while. Some necessary work was needed to prepare the Leeson St. building so it could be used as a school. This did not take long and so, on the 29th of September 1867, Catholic University School, 89 Lower Leeson St. opened for business.
Although the premises and the Marist Order had been secured for the school, a lot of stabilising work was necessary to make sure CUS would remain on as a stalwart Catholic Dublin school. Fr. Letterrier rose to the challenge and in his 15-year term made CUS flourish. He made certain that CUS would remain on as the school it is today.
