Clongowes Wood College SJ is a very special place. We are a leading full boarding school community for boys located in Clane, Co. Kildare, Ireland, about 30km from Dublin. Our school is set in 550 acres of countryside with farmland and sports grounds that wrap around our beautiful school buildings.
Our Mission and Ethos
We are a Catholic school in the Jesuit tradition, we strive to support students in their growth towards a greater understanding and awareness of their faith and the part that this plays in their lives.
A Jesuit education at Clongowes helps students to grow and develop in the spirit of Christ in order to become Men for Others, men of Competence, Conscience and Compassion.
At Clongowes we aim to help boys build competence across a broad spectrum ranging from academics to sports, the arts to technology and including a strong emphasis on social awareness.
We help our students to develop their sense of conscience and to become people who can discern what is right and have the courage to do the right thing.
We encourage the boys to be compassionate, to respond to those in greatest need and to have a strong sense of empathy. When they leave Clongowes our students do so as leaders with the aim of making the world a better place as true Men for Others.
About Clongowes
Clongowes offers a unique experience for boys aged from 12 to 18 – a warm and nurturing home from home, where every student benefits from an all- round education in a positive, welcoming environment. Boarding mirrors the best of family life – full of laughter, support, and Jesuit values – while building independence.
Our facilities are exemplary, and each student has the opportunity, support and guidance to help them develop and grow to their full potential. Ours is a mobile phone-free learning environment during the day, with the boys getting access to their phones for only 1.5 hours in the evening.
Since 1814, Clongowes alumni have been leaders in the area of business, sports, politics and the arts. Today, we are home to 440 boys from Ireland and from other countries.
Full Boarding at Clongowes
All our boys board full-time at Clongowes; 7 days a week. Full boarding at Clongowes means your son lives on campus during the week, fully engaged in a dynamic, structured and full school life that nurtures his mind, body, and spirit. Every Wednesday and Saturday are half days here, when the boys play sports matches. We warmly encourage parents to come to the school to watch your son’s matches and to spend time together. Sunday Mass is also a family event, where we welcome the boys’ families to school to join us in the Chapel and boys can choose to go home with their parents until 8.30 that night.
There are regular long weekends (Thursday/Friday to Monday evening) for boys to go home and spend quality time with their families, and friends from home. We also have optional Saturday leaves, where boys can choose to stay at school, or arrange to travel home and come back on Sunday night.
Finally, the school closes for Christmas, Easter, mid-term breaks and Summer Holidays, during which time the boys return home – for an additional 16 weeks of the year!
As all our boys board full-time, the depth of friendship and camaraderie between friends is profound. It becomes a lifelong brotherhood, as many of our graduates have described it. Full boarding at Clongowes balances an immersive school experience with regular, meaningful family time, ensuring you stay connected while your son grows.
At Clongowes, we believe full boarding offers unmatched benefits, creating a fuller life for your son – now and in the future.
