The story of Clongowes is one of continual investment and adapting to the changing needs of each generation of students. Academic Year 2024/25 saw a variety of projects come to fruition on campus thanks to the generous support of donors.
Solar Farm
During the summer break of 2024, the school made a major advancement in reducing its carbon footprint by installing a solar farm on campus. Located behind the Vinny Murray Pitch, the solar farm spans approximately 0.44 hectares and includes a 285 kWp Solar PV array mounted on 550 ground frames. This installation, positioning Clongowes as a leader among Irish schools in adopting renewable energy, is expected to supply about 25% of the school’s annual electricity needs. The project aligns with the school’s commitment to promoting environment-friendly practices across campus. This initiative also reflects the Society of Jesus’ Universal Apostolic Preference to “Care for our Common Home” underscoring the College’s recognition of the environment’s critical role in our collective future.
Residential Accommodation
The construction of five houses for prefecting staff were completed in June 2025. The houses are located next to the school on Cappolis Road. These homes will offer family accommodation to help maintain a stable boarding staff structure and foster a strong resident staff community.
Tennis Courts
Eight tennis courts behind the 1929 building have been resurfaced with Tiger Turf Advantage Pro carpet, this durable, well-designed tennis turf is playable in all climate conditions. Floodlighting has been provided on four of the courts which allows their use for evening play throughout the year. Along with new fencing surrounding the courts, new posts, nets, and concrete kerbing complete this significant upgrade.
Gym
In October, the gym underwent a comprehensive upgrade, significantly enhancing its capacity and facilities. The revamped setup can now accommodate forty-five students per session, compared to the previous limit of twenty-five. The students will have greater access to gym time which will promote broader participation in fitness activities. This new fitness hub will benefit all sporting programmes in the school and the entire school community. The new equipment installed includes 10 squat racks with custom plates, storage racks, slam balls, kettlebells, a 12-meter AstroTurf track with a sled, and a leg extension machine. These additions complement the existing equipment, such as ski machines, exercise bikes, assault bikes, rowing machines, and treadmills.
Arts Building – commencing Summer 2025
The promotion of the Performing Arts – music, drama, public speaking and debating – is a priority for the College. Increasing opportunities for boys to take part in music and drama performances, formalising the debating and public speaking programmes, and incorporating all four into an Arts calendar are specific targets for the future development of the Arts at Clongowes.
A dedicated Arts Building has been in planning for some time and that long held vision will come to fruition in Summer 2025 as construction commences. The building will provide for a new double height, two-storey building centrally located on the College’s educational campus. It will replace existing music practice and performance facilities and bring the Performing Arts together in one building. It will be of high architectural quality and modern design, and will complement the Science and Technology building, Sports Hall, and swimming pool.
Construction will be in two phases.
Phase 1
The first phase will primarily provide for new classrooms, practice rooms, a multi-media studio, and a double height multi-purpose rehearsal and performance space. The development will include landscaping to an external courtyard – to be used for summer performances – which will complete this quadrangle of the College, connected to the Infirmary building.
Phase 2
The second phase will accommodate a 200-seat theatre with backstage facilities and associated ancillary accommodation and is planned to proceed following the completion of Phase 1
For more details on our Capital projects and how you can support please contact the Foundation team:
Antoinette Kelly antoinettekelly@clongowes.net / Joe Rooney jrooney@clongowes.net or call 045 838215.
