St Conleth's College

St. Conleth's College is a fee-paying Catholic school in Dublin, Ireland, founded in 1939, by Bernard Sheppard. Kevin D.Kelleher, (former international rugby referee) was headmaster for over 40 of his 62 years. Ann Sheppard (his daughter) was school principal from 1988 - 2001 and is now Director of Development. Peter Gallagher is the principal of the secondary school and Pat Murphy the principal of the junior school. The school was named after St. Conleth, a sixth-century Irish monk who was a "moulder of heavy metal" and whose feast day is 4 May. The senior school has about 260 pupils (mixed with girls in 5th and 6th year) and a teaching staff of 20. It has grown steadily since it opened its doors and the school building at 28 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 is significantly different from the original building. In 2000 a school hall, canteen and additional classrooms were completed as well as a computer lab and off-street car-parking facilities but Is only for Teachers and Staff. In 2009 the school went under construction, in result a part of it has been completely revamped, and a third floor is due to be ready by February. It is also celebrating 70 years this year. Junior and Senior Infants will be installed into the school starting in the 2010 - 2011 school year.

Academics

In recent years the school has consistently topped the academic league tables based on the proportion of students that are sent onto universities in Ireland, consistently sending 97% or more directly onto college, some 30% above the national average. The validity of such findings have been questioned by the bigger schools, both fee paying and public, due to the fact that St. Conleths has a significant advantage in that it is considerably smaller than most schools.

Sport and Debating

Although a small school, St. Conleth's are a common force in Leinsters "Section A Rugby Schools Cup". They have a great rivalry with Sandford park and Marian College, both located in the same area. In recent years, the rivalry has diminished somewhat as St. Conleth's College comfortably defeats both of them. The Conleths Junior Cup team of 2008/2009 were probably the best rugby team the school has ever had. Their strong pack and skillful partnership in the backline saw them reach numerous finals eg. the league final where they were thwarted by a fluke try in their match against Newpark. The final of the leauge was an unfair end to the season for a Conleths team with undeniable strength, skill and pedigree. They played a new sort of high impact, high octane rugby wich was not present in their division before. The team will be playing together again in their highly anticipated season of senior rugby ( 2011/2012) when they will explode back onto the stage of senior rugby.

While rugby is by far the main sport, St. Conleth's has experienced far more success in individual sports, largely due to the schools small status. St. Conleth's is currently in the top division of schools golf, squash and tennis. The schools basketball team also reached the all-Ireland Under section C final in 2007.In 2008 the schools under 16 team won the all-Ireland Cup in section B.

St. Conleth's is well known among the debating circuit across the world, and invariably has at least one member on the Irish team. St.Conleths college is renowned worldwide for it prowess in the field of debating. Conleths has nurtured many of Ireland's best debaters including Patrick Molony who has represented Conleths at an international level and his country in the debating Olympics in South Korea. He is now studying law in UCD where he hopes to continue fulfilling his debating legacy.

Bowling: In 1971, Former student (conor keane) became the first person in Ireland to bowl a perfect game (Score 300) in Stillorgan Bowl at age 17.

External links

• School's website
• Past Pupil's Website