News of The Past

24th September 2025

The sun came out on Sunday 21st September for the inaugural Fr Percy Winder SJ Perpetual Challenge Cup which saw OCs and current students face each other on the newly refurbished tennis courts at Clongowes! The  competition was intense with both singles and doubles matches.  With all play finished, the teams were level at 6-6. …read article

2nd July 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…read article

27th June 2025

We’re delighted to share the latest issue of Clongowes Life – our annual school magazine! The magazine gives a flavour of all of the wonderful things that students get up to at Clongowes – from sporting achievements, to academic awards, performances and lots of fun!

12th February 2025

The Jesuit Order has made public today, Wednesday 12 February 2025, the names of fourteen deceased Jesuits as recommended by an Independent Working Group established by the Order which examined the files of deceased Jesuits against whom complaints of child sexual abuse had been made.  The Order has also taken the decision to name one…read article

13th November 2024

On June 12th, 2024, Clongowes welcomed French Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency Mr. Vincent Guérend, for the annual Fr Peter Kenney Day event hosted by Fr Rector Michael Sheil S.J. This celebration in honour of Fr Peter Kenney’s founding of the college in 1814, highlighted the accomplishments of distinguished Old Clongownians who have been awarded…read article

8th February 2024

The following is a statement released on 8th February 2024 by the Irish Jesuit Province: The Irish Jesuit Order has welcomed the publication of a narrative record of the abuse perpetrated by Fr Joseph Marmion SJ on students in Jesuit schools. Fr Joseph Marmion SJ. His abuse, the harm caused and Jesuit accountability: A narrative…read article

19th December 2023

The Importance of Giving A celebration of those who have given to Clongowes past and present took place on Sunday 10th December at Clongowes as part of our annual Mass of Thanksgiving for Benefactors.  The role of giving has always been of great importance in the story of Clongowes allowing the school to develop and…read article

14th November 2023

On September 2, 2023, the Rhetoric ’93 boys drove up the avenue in a Bartons bus, feeling the mix of apprehension and excitement we all have felt after a long break.  This break was slightly longer.  On a gloriously sunny day this moderately older bunch of young lads were greeted in front of the castle…read article

26th June 2023

Dr Pat McCarthy, Joe Rooney & Antoinette Kelly. As we conclude the 209th Academic year since the foundation of Clongowes Wood College 100+ Old Clongownians and their guests took the opportunity to revisit the college on June 14th.  This annual event which celebrates the founding of the College by Fr Peter Kenney in 1814 is…read article

7th February 2022

To mark the 140th anniversary of the birth of James Joyce, Fr Bruce Bradley SJ shares an insight into life at Clongowes during Joyce’s time at the school: James Joyce was a student at Clongowes Wood College near Clane, in Co. Kildare, for three years and a term, from the autumn of 1888 until just…read article