Davitt College

Davitt College (Irish: Coláiste Dáibhéid) is a mixed vocational secondary school located in Gorteendrunagh, Springfield, Castlebar, County Mayo, Republic of Ireland.[1]

Davitt College
Coláiste Dáibhéid
Location
Gorteendrunagh, Springfield, Castlebar, County Mayo,

Republic of Ireland
Coordinates53°51′26″N 9°17′26″W
Information
Motto"A dynamic and vibrant centre of teaching and learning"
PrincipalBernedette 'Bernie' Rowland
Deputy principalAnita Gallagher, William Rowan
Teaching staff80 approx. (2018)
Number of students800 approx. (2018)
LanguageEnglish (mandatory)
Irish (mandatory; with exceptions)
French (optional)
German (optional)
Websitedavittcollege.com

History
Michael Davitt, circa. 1878

The school, which opened in 1984 would previously be known as 'the tech', would later be named Davitt College by then-principal Joe Langan because “he [Langan] did not like the term ‘tech’ with its derogatory connotations”. He had also introduced the school uniform, the first in any vocational school in Ireland as he stated 'was an indication of things to come.' Joe Langan died in July 2006 and in 2011 Davitt College named their new sports hall after him.[2][3]

The school is named after Michael Davitt, an Irish republican and agrarian campaigner who founded the Irish National Land League. He was also a labour leader, Home Rule politician and Member of Parliament (MP). He campaigned for Home Rule and was a close ally of Charles Stuart Parnell, the leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party, until the party split over Parnell's divorce and Davitt joined the anti-Parnellite Irish National Federation.

The school was run under authority by the VEC until July 2013 when it was replaced by the ETB.[4]

A student who attended Davitt College named Shane Gavin never missed a single day of school in a space of 13 years since he started primary school.[5][6]

Davitt College was one of the first schools in the Republic of Ireland to introduce Politics and Society as a Leaving Certificate subject in September 2016, with the inaugural examination taking place in June 2018.[7][8]

Fifth year students from Davitt College visits Zambia along with another school for charitable causes annually.[9]

The school is a member of Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB since 2013.[4]

Notable alumni
Politician Alan Dillon attended the school

See also

References
  1. "Davitt College". Davittcollege.com. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  2. "Students remember Joe Langan". Mayonews.ie. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  3. "Official Opening of Joe Langan Sports Hall at Davitt College". Advertiser.com. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  4. "Davitt College - Mayo, Sligo & Leitrim Education & Training Board". Mayosligoleitrim.etb.ie. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  5. Armstrong, Kathy (6 June 2016). "Proud Co Mayo pupil hasn't missed a day from school in THIRTEEN years". Irishmirror.ie. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  6. "13 years and never a day off school". Con-telegraph.ie.
  7. "Davitt College Castlebar Selected to Introduce New Politics and Society Subject - Mayo, Sligo & Leitrim Education & Training Board". Mayosligoleitrim.etb.ie. 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2017-07-12.
  8. "New Politics and Society Subject « Davitt College". Davittcollege.com. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  9. "The Connaught Telegraph - Students working with children in Zambia". Con-telegraph.ie. 2017-04-13. Retrieved 2017-07-12.
  10. News, The Mayo. "Alan Dillon, the man who made it look easy". Mayonews.ie. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  11. "Round 3B Qualifier: Diarmuid O'Connor inspires Mayo win". Gaa.ie.
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