Clongowes Stories

9th March 2018

Jubilee of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga The highest decoration given on Union Day in Clongowes is the Aloysius Award, named in honour of our patron saint, St Aloysius Gonzaga. The accolade is given for, inter alia, ‘courage and determination in personal and communal life – for development of character [and] placing his talents at the service…read article

7th March 2018

By far the most famous Old Clongownian in 1914, when the school was a mere century old, was John Redmond MP, who died 100 years ago on March 6th 1918. Redmond was the guest speaker on Union Day that year (above), when it appeared that he was about to become the first Prime Minister of Home…read article

5th March 2018

Just before the snows came and made our best-laid schemes ‘gang agley’, Poetry visited the Grand Canal Theatre in Dublin for a production of Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy Macbeth, courtesy of generous sponsorship from the Parents’ Association. ‘The Scottish Play’, as it is often dubbed by superstitious actors, dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of…read article

5th March 2018

LATEST INFORMATION The roads around Clongowes are passable but it is difficult to travel from Sallins to the school. The safest route to get here is via Kilcock. We are operating a ONE WAY SYSTEM this evening: in the FRONT avenue out the BACK avenue. Please observe this routine, as otherwise it will cause difficulty. If anyone feel…read article

3rd March 2018

‘Yes, the newspapers were right: snow was general all over Ireland.’ With these words James Joyce, arguably our most famous past pupil, commenced the conclusion to The Dead, arguably his most famous short story. With its themes of love and loss, the tale of Gabriel Conroy (based on Con Curran, Joyce’s schoolmate in Belvedere) makes for poignant…read article

3rd March 2018

Although Fr Willie Doyle SJ (1873-1917) was not educated at Clongowes Wood College, he was distinctly Clongownian in nature. Our annual journal, ‘The Clongownian’ exists because of him, as he was its founder and first editor. He also argued successfully for the proposal to establish the Clongowes Union… Saturday 3rd March marks the birthday anniversary…read article

1st March 2018

Due to the adverse weather conditions, the cake sale planned for next, Sunday 4th March, has been deferred until Sunday 22nd April, when a number of students from Syntax will host a cake sale with a difference after Sunday Mass in the Concourse area. Mr Aran McMahon (OC’88) who runs the award winning Rua Restaurant, Delicatessen…read article

1st March 2018

DUE TO THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, IT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO CANCEL THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE POOL THIS COMING SATURDAY (MARCH 3RD). THE HEADMASTER WILL RESCHEDULE ANOTHER DATE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. New Swimming Pool to be officially opened by Tánaiste, Simon Coveney The long awaited new 25 metre, five-lane swimming pool in Clongowes quietly…read article

1st March 2018

Later this month (on Thursday 15th March) seven Transition Year students along with Mr Noel Murray and Old Clongownian, Pyers O’Connor Nash (OC’69) will set off for Kolkata ‘The City of Joy’ as part of the HOPE Foundation trip. The purpose of this trip is to visit and engage with students who are in HOPE centres…read article

27th February 2018

Belvedere College 26 Clongowes Wood College 7 The highest decoration given on Union Day in Clongowes is the Aloysius Award, named in honour of our patron, St Aloysius Gonzaga. The accolade is given for, inter alia, ‘courage and determination in personal and communal life – for development of character [and] placing his talents at the…read article