Fr Peter Kenney Day June 11th, 2025
Fr Rector Michael Sheil continued the tradition of Fr Peter Kenney Day on a gloriously sunny Wednesday on June 11th. 80+ OCs had the opportunity to spend time reconnecting with the College and enjoying an engaging discussion on the life of Fr Willie Doyle SJ. Fr John Hogan, Postulator for the Cause of Willie Doyle provided some wonderful insights into the person behind the story.
Fr Doyle SJ was born in Dalkey, Co Dublin on March 3rd, 1873. He was renowned even in childhood for his strong faith and he entered the Society of Jesus in 1891 in Tullabeg. Co Offaly. He had a great love for Clongowes where he spent time as Master from 1894-98 & Prefect 1901-1903. While at Clongowes he founded The Clongownian and also proposed the idea of the Clongowes Union. Fr Willie was ordained a priest on July 28th, 1907.
Following a number of years travelling throughout Ireland and the UK conducting retreats and missions he was assigned as chaplain to the 16th (Irish) Division in World War 1. He served heroically preaching the Gospel, administering the sacraments, and assisting the dying. On August 16th, 1917, during the battle of Passchendaele, he ran into danger to save injured soldiers and was killed by a shell. His body was never recovered. The Cause for his and the cause for his beatification and canonisation was opened in the diocese of Meath in 2022.
After lunch, the OCs had the opportunity to visit the new infrastructure developments on site such as the Solar Farm, new Residential Accommodation & Tennis Courts. We look forward to welcoming OCs back to Clongowes in June 2026 which will mark 20 years since the first Fr Peter Kenney Day.
