Discover Why Families Choose Clongowes
For generations, Irish families living abroad have trusted Clongowes to give their sons a strong Irish education and a meaningful connection to home. Our full boarding model creates a structured, supportive environment where boys develop independence, resilience and lifelong friendships. With regular school breaks and easy access to Dublin Airport, staying connected to family is straightforward and convenient.
Meet us in Dubai or join one of our online events to discover more about Ireland’s leading boys’ boarding school.
2026 – 27 Open Event Dates:
Join us for an in-person or online Open Event. We look forward to helping you discover Clongowes for your son!
-
Virtual Open Evening, Thursday 1st October 2026, 6.30 – 7.30pm (Irish Standard Time, Online)
- Dubai In-Person Event, Sunday 17th January 2027 – select this event on the form to be sent details
- Virtual Open Evening, Thursday, 11 February 2027, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm (Irish Standard Time, Online)
- In-Person Open Morning at Clongowes, Saturday 27th February, 9:30 AM – 1:00 pm
Virtual Events are hosted on Zoom, covering academics, boarding life, student experiences, and a live Q&A session. They are ideal for families who cannot attend Clongowes in-person.
Book Your Place!
About Clongowes, Ireland’s Leading Boys Boarding School
- Full boarding, for a fuller life. Founded in 1814, we are home to more than 440 full-boarding boys from Ireland, the UK and Internationally
- Direct flights between Dubai and Dublin; Two direct flights daily with easy access to Dublin airport (approx. 40 mins).
- Spacious 550 acre campus is set within the safe and beautiful Kildare countryside
“When I visited Clongowes, I was blown away by the warm and homely atmosphere.” – Parent
Pastoral Care
Our exceptional support network includes our team of boarding praefects (teachers) who are at at the forefront of pastoral care, and act in loco parentis (in the place of parent). Your son’s senior praefect leads the cross-functional care team – including counsellors, nurses, the Spiritual Father, Learning Support Teachers, and Academic Year Head.
Leaver’s Destinations & Alumni Success
We have a long-standing reputation for preparing students for admission to some of Ireland’s and the world’s leading universities. Each year, graduates progress to highly respected institutions, with many securing places at Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin, as well as other top Irish universities including the University of Galway and University College Cork.
Some Clongowes students also continue their education at prestigious Russel Group and Oxbridge UK universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, the London School of Economics, and the University of Edinburgh. A smaller number of graduates each year go on to study at leading universities in the North America and elsewhere internationally, including Georgetown University, Westpoint Military Academy and The University of Toronto.
Jesuit Ethos & Leadership Development
Our Jesuit tradition places strong emphasis on leadership, debating, critical thinking, and personal development. Our ethos places the person at the heart of all we do and can be summed up as cura personalis – care for the whole person. We encourage boys to be ‘men for others’ who recognise their responsibility to others – using their gifts and talents in the service of the common good, fostering compassion, justice and a commitment to building a better world for all.
Academic Performance
Clongowes Wood College consistently ranks among Ireland’s strongest-performing secondary schools academically, with students regularly performing well above the national average. Over the past 3 years (2023-2025) Clongowes students achieved an average of 506 Leaving Certificate points, against a national average for boys in the same period of 410 points. The dedication of our teachers and staff to support our students, coupled with the structures and programmes to help students focus on their studies help our students achieve some of the best Leaving Certificate results in the country.
Sporting Achievements
Our campus in the Kildare countryside offers unparalleled opportunities for sport and leisure – from our numerous rugby and soccer pitches and tennis courts, on-site golf course and indoor simulator, cricket wickets, and full-sized indoor pool. We have has produced an exceptional number of international rugby players, including Tadhg Beirne, Dan Sheehan, Rob Kearney, Dave Kearney, Gordon D’Arcy, Fergus McFadden, Ed Byrne, Will Connors and Brian Carney. We aim to offer premier rugby development opportunities to our students with our fantastic facilities and ambitious coaches.
We also have strong programmes in athletics, golf, soccer, cricket, tennis, swimming, basketball, and kayaking. Clongowes students regularly compete at provincial and national level, with notable success in athletics, including producing national champions and international sportsmen.
Beyond academics
Irish culture and catholic values are at the heart of Clongowes’ community; instilling an ethos of People for Others. Alongside our traditional values, Clongowes is at the same time forward thinking and vibrant, as we seek to meet the challenges of a changing world. At Clongowes, boys gain more than an education – they gain independence, lifelong friendships and the confidence to thrive anywhere in the world.
Join us at an Open Event
Book Your Place:
