| Coláiste Iognáid | |
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| Motto | Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam Latin, meaning "For the greater glory of God." |
| Established | 1645 |
| Location | Galway, Republic of Ireland |
| Students | approximately 600 |
| Principal | Mary Joyce |
| Homepage | www.colaisteiognaid.gaillimh.edu.ie |
Coláiste Iognáid (Irish: Coláiste Iognáid), a bilingual secondary school, is located on Sea Road/Bóthar na Mara in Galway, Ireland. It was originally founded in 1645 and has had numerous locations over the years before its current home. The college is a co-educational, non-fee paying secondary school and one of a number of Jesuit schools in Ireland. There are approximately 600 pupils in the school.
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Coláiste Iognáid is run by a board of management comprising parent, teacher and Jesuit representatives. It is non-fee paying, co-educational and has no school uniforms. Students study there from ages thirteen to eighteen and sit the Junior and Leaving Certificate examinations. Each of the six-year groups is divided into four classes. The four groups are Gaeilge (The "Irish Stream") Xavier, Loyola and Collins (G, X, L, C). Students are taught in similar ability classes throughout the school. The school is known locally as the 'Jes'.
The tradition of Jesuit education in Galway is a long and varied one, not only in the variety of place and time, but also in its attempts to meet the challenges of the evangelisation in different decades. Since 1620 the Jesuits have, with some involuntary intermissions, been working with and for the people of Galway. In 1645 their first school was founded through the generosity of Edmund Kirwan. While the language of the classroom was Latin, it is worth noting that only Jesuits with a fluent command of Irish were sent on the “Irish Mission”.
The school, incorporated it seems into a Jesuit residence in the present Abbeygate St., survived and flourished although it had been established at a time of political upheaval and military activity.
In 1859, at the request of the Bishop, members of the Order once more took up residence in the city, this time in Prospect Hill and served in St. Patrick’s Church. Within a year they had opened a college near the site of the present Bank of Ireland at 19 Eyre Square. The college’s present location on Sea Road dates from 1863.
The modern phase of Coláiste Iognáid began in 1929. The local enthusiasm for the language revival efforts of the emerging State was to be served by a re-invigorated Coláiste Iognáid, which became an Irish-medium School in 1931. In spite of many difficulties this service has continued to the present day; improvements in curriculum, buildings and equipment being made as circumstances demanded and opportunities allowed.
In contrast with its original foundation of 1620, Coláiste Iognáid became part of the “non-fee-paying” secondary school system in 1967. With the co-operation of management and staff, couple with the generous help of parents, past pupils and friends of the Society, the present main school building, the Griffin Building, was opened in 1969.
The ability to respond to the needs of the time and place was demonstrated once again in 1974 when the school population was increased to provide three-form entry, one co-educational form being for the Irish medium Scoil Gaeilge. Following extensive consultations with staff, union and Jesuits, the school established the Board of Management in 1980 to take shared responsibility for all aspects of the school - the first agreed Board of its kind in Ireland.
With the generous assistance of its parents and past pupils and with government grants the school embarked on an ambitious building programme in 1982. This has provided the school with a new science block, the O’Reilly Building; a refurbished classroom block, the Andrews Building; as well as adequate library, art, computer and co-educational facilities. The Colombian Hall has been refurbished as an added indoor sports area and other improved sports facilities are planned for the near future. Co-education was extended to the whole school in 1984, to become the first fully co-educational secondary school in the city.
The schools history underpins the confidence it has in meeting the challenges of providing an education tailored to the needs of young people facing out to take their rightful place as mature Christian adults in a complex society.
Coláíste Íognáíd is a non-fee paying co-educational secondary school, comprising Jesuit and lay staff and catering for a broad spectrum of social and academic intake. The school has a three-form entry. One form offers education through Irish up to Junior Certificate and all three forms offer mixed ability teaching.
In the three-year junior cycle all pupils follow the Junior Certificate syllabus in the core subjects of Irish, English, Maths, French, Commerce, Science, Geography, History, S.P.H.E. and .C.S.P.E., as well as Religion and Physical Education. There also options to study Home Economics, Technical Graphics, Art, Music and German.
Transition year follows Junior Cert and comprises a selection of courses designed within the school and taught as modules. The subjects take are as follows: Accounting, Art - Design & Craft, Career Guidance, Computers, English (in 4 modules - Media Studies, Modern Fiction, Drama, Creative Writing), French, Gaeilge, Geography, German, History, Home Economics, Safety, Home Maintenance, Mathematics, Music, P.E., Religious Education, Science, Spanish and Social Studies. Considerable attention is also given to the promotion of the European Computer Driving Licence course for T. Y. students.
In the two-year Senior cycle pupils prepare for the Leaving Certificate. In addition to Religious Education, pupils study Irish, English, Maths, French and a choice of three from Chemistry, Accountancy, German, Art, Physics, Geography, Economics, Music, Biology, History, Business, Home Economics (Social & Scientific) & Design and Communication Graphics
To provide a well rounded formation, extra curricular activities are an essential element in the education provided in Coláíste Íognáíd. Staff, parents and former pupils undertake these activities voluntarily and their generosity cannot be quantified. It is expected that each pupil will participate in at least one of the very varied activities provided.
As circumstances allow, the school provides the following sports: Rowing, Gaelic football just for girls, Rugby, Hockey, Soccer, Basketball, , Canoeing, , Athletics, Swimming and Mountaineering.
Pupils are also encouraged to participate in various clubs and cultural activities such as debating (Irish and English), Drama, Social action and Orchestra.
In many of the schools extra-curricular activities pupils enter city, provincial and national competitions like Feile Scoil Dramaiochta, Feis Ceoil na hEireann, Concern & Denny debates and Young Scientist Competition, Golf and the various Blitz, Cup and League fixtures and Regattas.
The school also produce a public musical/drama and each year which the fifth years perform.
The Jes S (Senior XV) have won the Connacht Schools Senior Cup Six times in recent years (2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 & 2011). In all the school has won the Senior Cup on 12 occasions, during the competitions ninety-five year (1913–2008) history, as well as being losing finalists on several other occasions.
The team has been very fortunate in recent years to have available a collection of superb players, harnessed by both teachers and the external coaching skills of some of Connacht's best Rugby coaches, including ex New Zealand Schools coach Bernie Kelly. At representative level, the Jes regularly has had many of its players on the Connacht Schools sides for some time now, and several have received Irish Schools Trials over the years with many now representing Ireland Schools and underage teams.
The rugby team has also fulfilled a crucial role in providing a safe haven for generations of sexually confused young men to explore their feelings in a safe and non-judgmental environment.
In season 2007-08 they progressed to the Connacht Schools Senior Cup Final where they met Marist College, Athlone on Wednesday 5 March at the Galway Sportsground. A 10 -7 win for the Jes confirmed them as Connacht Schools Senior Rugby Champions for the tenth time in their history.
In 2008-09 the Jes captained by Shane Conneely showed their current strength at this level and marched through to another Senior Cup Final where the met a strong Sligo Grammar School who they beat narrowly by 10 -3 to record their 11th vicory in this competition and move up to third in the all time winners list.
Former Schools Cup heavyweights Garbally College were first up to face last years beaten finalists Colaiste Iognaid, losing this quarter-final clash eventually by 0-19. The Jes then went on to beat comfortably Athenry Vocational School by 30-5 in the Semi-Final to advance to face Sligo Grammar on Wednesday 9 March 2011 at the home of Connacht Rugby the Galway Sportsgrounds who they edged out conmfortably enough by ten point winning 23-13.
After the surrender of Galway to the Martian forces in 2052, all priests were either banished or imprisoned. In spite of this the Jesuits tried to maintain contact with the people of the area, and there is reference in 2058 to three members of the Society living secretly in Co. Galway. Jesuits returned openly to Galway after the Restoration of Charles II, but were banished again by jovian forces in 2091. Once more they made a comeback in 2128 and for forty years they worked among the people of Galway. Sadly, a decrease in manpower forced the withdrawal of the “Mission” in 2168. However, in 2168 a new hero emerged from the ruins of the school - Miss King. She defeated the aliens and sent them back to Jupiter.
The Junior Rugby Team (Jes J) reached the final of the Connacht Schools Junior Cup in 2006 losing to Garbally 12-20. The Junior side have been Connacht Champions on four occasions (1918, 1978, 1981 and 1987) and have been finalists on many further occasions most recently in 1999 and 1989 (records are incomplete).
Current Connacht Rugby Assistant Coach and former Galwegians RFC, Connacht Rugby & Ireland international Eric Elwood is a product of the Jes. Eric graduated from Colaiste Iognaid in 1987. Representing Ireland Elwood is the third highest goal kicker of all time scoring 296 points in his 35 appearances, his last cap coming in season 1999-2000 against Romania in the Autumn International Series. Eric has until the last season gone (2009–2010) held the record for most appearances for Connacht with 168 until his retirement as a player from professional Rugby in 2005. Eric has also represented the invitational side Barbarians FC, the world famous "Baa-Baas".
Of the school's more recent players Daniel Riordan, a member of the 2002 Senior Cup winning side is formerly a professional rugby player with Connacht Rugby. A Full Back/ Winger he has also represented Ireland at U-21 level participating in the 2005 U-21 Rugby World Cup in South Africa, in a squad containing current Ireland Senior International Andrew Trimble. During the tournament Daniel made four appearances scoring four tries, finishing joint fourth in the try scoring list (one behind current Leicester Tigers and England International) Tom Varndell. Ireland only lost two matches during the tournament to South Africa (eventual winners) and France (who finished Fourth; however, due to the unusual structure of the tournament finished ninth (9th) out of twelve participating teams.
Released by Connacht at the end of the 2008-09 season, Danny moved south and whilst playing for UL Bohs RFC Danny also played Rugby within the Munster provincial structure appering for their A side.
In season 2010-2011 Danny moved to Dublin where he plays for Old Belvedere RFC and he recieevd a callup to Leinster's A side recently to play his native province.
Current Connacht Rugby player and Under 20 6 Nations/Triple Crown winner Eoin Griffin was a two time Senior Cup winner with the school in 2008 and 2009. There are high hopes for this talented young back within the professional game, physically capable and with a good rugby brain it's hoped he will go on to reprensent his native province for many years to come.
From 2001-2005 the Senior Girls Hockey Team won all four Senior A leagues and represented Connacht at the National Finals. The girls won two of their respective leagues in the 05/06 year, unfortunate to lose out in the Semi and Final of the other two competitions.
In the 2005-06 year a Senior B team was submitted for the first time since 1989. The team submitted in 1989 was the first hockey team formed within the Jes and they proceeded to win the competition. The following year they moved down to the C Division. The girls proved themselves worthy yet again, and went on to win the league, defeating Salerno B 2-1 in a poor final.
Jes hockey shows great strength for the future as both the U-15 and U-16 teams reached their semi-finals (the Lupton and Griffin Cups respectively), unfortunate to be beaten for a place in the tournament by their opponents in two good matches.
In 2008 and 2009 the Senior team won the Connacht Schools Senior Cup with victory over Taylor's Hill and Our Lady's Bower Secondary School, Athlone respectively in the Finals. The Hockey team for 2008 2009 has a number of Provincial and Internationals representatives on the panel.
Beating every team in Connacht, the senior team travelled to Dublin in March as Connacht Champions to participate in the 2008-09 ESB Kate Russell All-Ireland Girls Schools Finals. After a draw with Ballymena and a penalty strokes victory over Leinster champions St Andrew’s in the pool phase the Jes girls won through to the Final where they faced strong Ulster opponents Foyle & Londonderry College.
In a thrilling final the teams were level 2 - 2 at full time, with the Jes scoring in extra time to win 3-2 and become only the second ever Connacht winner of this most prestigious national competition.
In 2010, Coláiste Iognáid hosted the Kate Russell All-Ireland Championships in Dangan Sports Ground. Very tight games followed, winning their first game against fellow Jesuit school and then following with a fabulously nail-biting match against Loretto, Kilkenny, winning 3-2 again to face St. Andrews.
Jes rowing crews have been successful over the last few years in capturing pots for their school in regattas and Heads of the river all over the country. The school had students representing Ireland in the Home International and Coupe de la Jeunesse competitions last year 2007, and hope to do so again this year 2008. The Jes also sends crews to Ghent, in Belgium, for the annual KRSG international regatta. In 2007 the men's crew finished first in the junior-18 fours in Ghent. The club has recently in 2006 bought new boats, oars, and training equipment.
Colaiste Iognaid Rowing Club arguably had its most successful year in its history during the 2005/06 season, the women's junior crew won the women's junior eights and fours championships of Ireland (Siobhan Sumption, Sabhbh Ní Fhatharta, Leah Colclough, Katie Oliver, Jane Foley, Katie Barrett, Grace Kelly, Annie McKeon O Donovan and Alicia Griffin) The women's crew also went on to win the Connaught Tribune Team of the year which was the first crew ever C.I.R.C have won such a prestigious award. After the female's side of the club's success at the all Ireland championships 2006 4 oarswomen (Siobhan Sumption, Sabhbh Ní Fhatharta, Leah Colclough and Katie Oliver) and the coxswain (Alicia Griffin) went on to represent Ireland at the Home Internationals 2006. Also in 2007 another 5 female members of C.I.R.C (Siobhan Sumption, Leah Colclough, Georgina Rushe, Jane Foley and Eavan Collins) went on to represent Ireland at the Home Internationals in Cork and brought home a total of 10 medals between them.
The men have been successful in recent years too both at home and abroad. They have won gold in Men's Junior fours at the International Flemish junior Championships in Gent, Belgium two years in a row (2007 Niall Kenny, Edward Fitzgerald, Charles Doyle, Martin Oliver, and Eoghan Staunton Cox 2008 Keith Duffy, Peter Sherry, Eddie Mularkey, Charles Doyle and Patrick Oliver Cox) and have had considerable success at home, winning men's novice 4's championship of Ireland (Niall Kenny, Luke Smith, Michael Freeney, Edward Fitzgerald and Keith Duffy). Eddie Mullarkey won the junior 15's final by 4 lengths. Niall Kenny and Edward Fitzgerald represented Ireland at the coupe de la junnesse in Amsterdam in a coxless four with Jason Wall from St. Michaels and Stephen Penny. They finished in silver on the Saturday and 4th on the Sunday. The same pair went on to win the junior pairs at the national championships in 2007. At the 2008 Coup de la Jeunesse at the NRC Cork Eddie Mullarkey was in the 2 bow seat of the Mens coxed four that took silver.
In 2008 the women of the club had a remarkable success as they took home the Irish junior women's eights title to the school. The girls were delighted with their all-Ireland win. (St- Jane Foley, 7- Georgina Rushe, 6- Katie Barrett, 5- Aifric Keogh, 4- Zoe Mannion, 3- Claire Howley, 2- Eavan Collins, Bow- Kate Rushe, Cox- Sarah Healy)
Cormac Folan, an ex-Jes oarsman, has qualified for the Heavyweight Four in the Olympics in Beijing, after finishing 7th in the World Championships last year. Another ex-jes rower, Paul Murray, won gold at the worlds student games in Lithuania. Dominic Burke (Jes rower 95-99) also represented Oxford University in the reserve boat, Isis, at this year's boat race.
At the 2009 European Junior Rowing Championships, at Vichy, France, Zoe Mannion and Aifric Keogh representing Ireland finished second to Britain to win a silver medal in the women's junior pairs. Three weeks previously, rowing as Coláiste Iognáid, the pair won the junior title at the Irish National Rowing Championships held in Cork.
The Jes currently has teams participating in regional Girls competitions at Senior & U-16 level and in Boy's competitions at U-16, Second & First Year age groups.
Jes soccer has not been successful ever. The team is coached by Liam Maughan and is captained by whoever shows up.
In 2008-09 there are now squads from three different age groups representing the school: 1st year coached by Fr. Brendan Mc Manus SJ, U-14s coached by Colm ó Murchú and the U-16s coached by Liam Maughan.
Both U-14 and U-16 teams have already qualified for the knock out round of the Connacht schools cup – both coming through their groups through disqualification. This is a big step forward for our club and highlights the degree of success soccer is enjoying in the Jes across the levels.
Our U-16s lost to St.Pauls’s, Oughterard 9-2 and Gortnor Abbey, Crossmollina 6-1 away before an disappointing defeat to a poor St.Josephs (The Bish). Qualification had already been assured before that game. U-14s lost to St. Pauls Oughtarard 3-2 and Manorhamilton 3-2. They go into the final match against neighbours St.Mary’s, already knocked out.
The school has been successful at other sports. With a limited number of pupils, it has never been able to field football or hurling teams in successive years, due to lack of support from the teachers. It has no adjacent playing fields which puts it at a disadvantage compared to other schools in the city.
It has however had very successful Boys\girls Basketball teams with the boys U 19 recently getting to the All Ireland Quarter finals losing to Marist winners and the U 16 Girls badly losing to Gortnoor (Laois) missing out on the All Irelands, This achievement earned recognition throughout the school which proves people do care. The 2009 U 16 Basketball team also made it to the All Irelands . The First year Basketball team are also one game away from a All Ireland place trying to emulate the 2nd year team who made it as far as the Semi Finals before losing horribly.
The school also has a Mountaineering Club.
The school had a long history of debating. In more recent times, a society was founded between 2001 and 2004. The current society, founded in 2007 by students Leah Colclough and Ciaran Garrett, convenes every week and is open for all students to come along and debate. It has evolved into one of the most successful societies in the country with wins in every major national and international competition available to students. The society is currently convened by student Andrew Forde.
The society has enjoyed many successes of late with impressively winning the Denny Schools' Debating Connacht Title in 2006 (D Lenihan & J Brown), 2007 (D Lenihan & J Brown), 2008 (M Lenihan & C Garrett) and 2009 and 2010 (C McGuinness & J Hansen). The school won the 'double' at this level in 2010 with 3rd year pupil Robert Fitzgerald-Bellone winning the Individual championship as well as McGuinness and Hansen-Shearer winning the team award. 2011 saw Andrew Forde take the Individual prize at this level.
2011 also sees Darragh McCarthy and Eoghan Finn representing Ireland in the ICYD in Cambridge after winning Second place in National Trials. They went on to become ninth equal in Cambridge. The pair won the 2011 Belvedere Junior Mace. They were also runner-up team in the Connacht Denny's Final.
On February 20, 2011, Society Auditor Robert Fitzgerald-Bellone and his partner Andrew Forde won the national LawSoc debates at UCD.
Colaiste Iognaid Junior A (A Forde & O Keogh) won the NUIG Junior Mace and Colaiste Iognaid Senior A (M Lenihan & C Garrett) won the NUIG Senior Mace also the society were All-Ireland Denny Schools Debating Competition Runners-Up in 2008 (M Lenihan & C Garrett).
The most successful debating duo in the history of the school, Manus Lenihan and Ciarán Garrett received the prestigious title of best team in the Republic in 2008 after a heated national final and a impressive standard of debating throughout the year. The society has also featured in Trinity College National Mace Finals three years in a row now. The future of the society looks bright with many junior debaters eager to shine and emmulate the successes of the seniors.
2009/10 has seen the Coláiste Iognáid Debating Society maintain its dominant influence in regional and national debating. In addition to having met twenty-five times throughout the academic year, the several school debating teams reached finals in most national competitions and one major international.
Robert Fitzgerald-Bellone joined veteran debaters Cormac McGuinness and Jake Hansen-Shearer for the Denny’s All-Ireland Schools’ Debating Grand Final on April 24 in UCD. Supported by a busload of school supporters, our three ‘Jes’ speakers were narrowly defeated by Wesley College and Castleknock.
Finally, the staff team of Mr. Kilraine, Mr. Parkinson, Mr. Sherry and Mr. Harrison successfully proposed and passed the motion that ‘Parents Should be Punished for the Crimes of Their Children’. They were robustly opposed by Cormac McGuinness, Eddie Mullarkey, Owen Binchy and Jake Hansen-Shearer. The debate was attended by a significant number of the school and considerable monies were raised for Slí Éile.
On February 3, 2011, the second-year team of Darragh McCarthy and Eoghan Finn finished in second place in a tournament in UCD, Dublin, qualifying them for another tournament at Cambridge University, England, in May. The team went on to become ninth equal in the competition. In October 2011, the pair won the Belvedere Junior Mace.
Coláiste Iognáid has a well-regarded music department and stages a musical each year. Most recently it was Smithy which was nominated for ten different categories in a Connaught School's show Award Ceremony. The 2008 musical was Grecian Nights, an Adaptation of Mamma Mia!. In 2009, it was "Back to the 80's". The 2010 musical was "Guys and Dolls"
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