Garbally College

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Garbally College
Coláiste Ghearrbhaile
Location
Ballinasloe, County Galway
Republic of Ireland
Information
Motto Latin: Fide et Fortitudine
("Faith and Courage")
Established 1892
President Fr Colm Allman
Principal Mr Stephen Reilly
Number of students c. 500
Website www.garbally.ie
The coat of arms of Garbally College

Garbally College (Irish Coláiste Ghearrbhaile) is a Catholic, boys-only, secondary school based in Ballinasloe, County Galway, Ireland. It is officially known as St Joseph's College (Irish Coláiste Sheosaimh).

History

St Joseph's College was founded as a Roman Catholic seminary in 1892 to help educate priests for the Diocese of Clonfert, which owns it. It is managed by the Bishop of Clonfert, the Rt. Rev. John Kirby and four other governors. It is staffed by priests of the diocese and lay teachers.

The college was established at Cartron with funds provided by Mgr. James Madden. Due to expansion the college was changed to Esker, near Athenry in 1894. In 1901, it moved to the building known locally as "The Pines", at Creagh, Ballinasloe. In 1923, it moved to its present site at Garbally, once seat of the Earls of Clancarty. The Diocese purchased Garbally Court (built in 1819) and estate from the trustees of the Earls of Clancarty for £6,750 in 1922.

In the 1940s, 50s and 60s two other members of the same Madden family, brothers Fr. John Madden of Killimor and Dr. George Madden of London bestowed many gifts on Garbally, including the funds to build the present science halls, study hall, extra classrooms and dining hall. Garbally's boarding school will now open again for business in 2014.

Curriculum

The school offers both the Junior and Leaving Certificate cycles and was one of the first schools to implement a Transition Year programme when it was introduced in 1973. Garbally offers all the mandatory subjects, along with woodwork, metalwork, design & communication, music, food appreciation and a new gym facility.

Sport

Garbally College is well known for its sporting tradition in Rugby Union, Hurling and Gaelic football. The college has many Connacht Schools Senior Cups and Connacht Schools Junior Cups and has produced a number of Irish Rugby Internationals. Garbally have won the Senior Cup 44 times, most recently in 2007. Garbally have won the Junior Cup 41 times, most recently in 2006.

Notable alumni

Notable staff and former staff

See also

External links

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