St. Patrick's, Carlow College

Carlow College,St Patrick's is a liberal arts college located in Carlow, Ireland. The college is the second oldest third level institution in Ireland have been founded in 1782 by James Keefe, then Roman Catholic Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, and his co-adjutor bishop Daniel Delany,

St Patrick's, Carlow College
Coláiste Phádraig Ceatharlach
Latin: Collegii Carloviensis
MottoRescissa Vegetior Assurgit
Pruned, it blossoms all the more
TypeRoman Catholic
Established1782 (1782)
PresidentConn Ó Maoldhomhnaigh
Address
Carlow Town
County Carlow
,
Carlow
,
Republic of Ireland
NicknameCarlow College or "St Pat's"
Affiliations[QQI - Quality and Qualifications Ireland (2012-) )
HETAC(1989-2012) )
University of London(1840-1892)
Catholic University of Ireland(1879-1906)
Websitehttp://carlowcollege.ie

History

Bishop Keefe initially attempted to open a seminary in Tullow, but instead took out a 999-year lease on the present site. During the nineteenth century, students studied Philosophy, Theology, Mathematics, Languages and Law at Carlow College. It was founded in 1782. The delay in accepting students was due to resistance from the local Church of Ireland Bishop, but the passing of the Relief Act of 1792 obviated the need for his permission.

From 1793 to 1892, it educated both lay people and those studying for the priesthood. In 1832 college president Fr. Andrew Fitzgerald O.P. was imprisoned as part of the Tithe War for his refusal to pay tithes.[1]

In 1840, Carlow College was accredited by the University of London[2] and over the succeeding decades students of the college sat the examinations for primary degrees in Arts (B.A.) and Law (LL.B.) from London.[3][4]

In May 1847, Carlow College president Dr. James Taylor purchased a house and farm of 127 acres at Knockbeg and St. Mary’s was opened there as a preparatory school to Carlow College, in 1892 lay students were transferred to Knockbeg.[5] In 1866 Queen's University of Ireland engaged in a dialogue about empowering it to examine and confer degrees on students other than those of the Queen’s colleges,[6] the St. Patricks College Carlow Report[7] was conducted and the college was deemed to meet the criteria, as evidenced by the courses examined and conferred by University of London, (the report listed all the students and professors at the time) however it was never enacted. This dialogue with the President James Walshe and the Queen's senate caused a dispute between Walshe and Cardinal Cullen.[1] Ordained students and staff at the college produced The Carlow College Magazine.

In 1844 the Foreign Missions Fund was established after a bequest from Rev. Maurice Kearney, and sometimes called the Kearney Fund, this allowed Bishops to Foreign Missions adopt and students to avail of bursaries to help them.

Following the 1879 University Education (Ireland) Act all Catholic colleges, including Carlow College, came under a reconstituted Catholic University of Ireland,[8] and affiliated to the new Royal University of Ireland. Hence students could be matriculated and examined by the Royal University.

The National Centre for Liturgy moved to Carlow in 1978 where it was based until it moved to Maynooth in August 1996.[9]

From 1892 up to 1989, the college was operating principally as a seminary for the priesthood. Between 1793 and 1993 it is estimated that 3132 priests were ordained in Carlow.[10] 1989 seen the college be affiliated to N.C.E.A. the forerunner of HETAC.[11]

In 1993 a stone cross by the German artist Paul Schneider, was placed in the grounds to celebrate its bi-centenary, also a lecture was given by former college president Bishop Ryan.[12]

In 1995 full-time degree students became entitled to the Irish Governments free fees scheme and local authority grants.[13]

Notable alumni

Distinguished among the thousands of its past students was one of the first-ever Catholic bishops to be appointed in the United States, John England;[10] the man who single-handedly brought Catholicism to Australia, John Therry; Ireland's first cardinal, Paul Cullen; the artist Frank O'Meara; the Young Irelander and land-reform theorist, James Fintan Lalor and the Fenian John O'Leary, friend of W. B. Yeats. Daniel O'Connell, also known as 'The Liberator' or 'The Emancipator' and Ireland's predominant political leader in the first half of the nineteenth century, reputedly gave an oration to the Carlow townspeople from the top of the college's front porch. Descendants of O'Connell have studied and taught the college. Also educated in Carlow College were James Fintan Lalor's brothers Richard Lalor, Irish Nationalist, MP for Queens County and Sir Peter Lalor, M.P. Speaker of the Victoria Parliament, Australia.

The Rev. William Clancy (1802–1847) the missionary and bishop in the United States and British Guiana studied at Carlow.

The Jesuit and first president of UCD, Fr. William Delany, received his early education at Carlow.

Some of the 17 students who had been expelled from Maynooth due to their support for the 1798 rebellion went to Carlow, like Francis Hearn who was later executed.[14]

The Rt. Rev. Michael Collins, Bishop of Cloyne, who was expelled from Maynooth due to his support for the Robert Emmet rebellion completed his studies at Carlow.

The Rev. Daniel William Cahill, an editor of the Dublin Telegraph, attended Carlow College; he returned in 1825, as Professor of Natural Philosophy in Carlow College, a post he held until 1834. Amongst his pupils were the aforementioned Lalor brothers. Dr Cahill's nephew, Patrick Cahill, was also educated at Carlow College, obtaining an LLB from the University of London. He was a supporter of Irish Nationalism and Home Rule and later went on to found the Leinster Leader newspaper.

The nationalist Maurice Leyne and the physician and poet Richard D'Alton Williams(1822–1862) attended Carlow College. The Poet and teacher William A. Byrne, (William Dara) attended Carlow.

Edward Marum BA(London), LLB(London), BL (King's Inns), MP for Kilkenny from 1875 until 1890.

Patrick Moriarty OSA was the second president of Villanova College, and instrumental in its setting up, studied at Carlow, before joining the Augustinians.

Patrick Barry, Bishop of St. Augustine, Florida and co-founder of Barry University began his studies for the priesthood at Carlow College in 1890.

The British army general, General Sir Thomas Kelly-Kenny GCB GCVO (1840–1914) was also educated as a lay student at Carlow College.[15]

Fr. Thomas Nangle (1889–1972) from Canada, padre of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in the first world war, studied for the priesthood at Carlow, later a Rhodesian farmer and MP.

Michael O'Hanrahan who was executed for his part in the 1916 Easter Rising, was educated in Carlow College Academy.

The nationalist Kevin O'Higgins studied for a while at Carlow College, after he was expelled from Maynooth College in 1911 for smoking.[16]

A number of the rooms in the college are named after alumni and people associated with the college such as Cobden Hall named after the architect Thomas Cobden who designed the college building, the John England Room and the Therry Room amongst others.

Lawrence Duffy, current bishop of Clogher, studied in Carlow. Bishop elect of Achonry Paul Dempsey also studied in Carlow.

Notable professors

Among the first professors were French refugees following the revolution, Abbés Noget, Chabout and Labruné.

James Warren Doyle, O.E.S.A., Roman Catholic Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, campaigner for Catholic Emancipation, and the builder of Carlow cathedral, held a professorship at Carlow College from 1814–1819. He was a professor of theology and was Chair of Rhetoric.

Sports

In 1865 Carlow College Cricket Club established and games played against other carlow and Dublin teams. In 1882 Ecclesiastic students at Carlow College played rugby and Carlow College Rugby Club formed in 1898 they played in the Leinster Senior Cup, in 1912 rugby was reintroduced, as the Irish Nationalism increased Gaelic games became more prominent.[17] In 1976 St. Patrick's College, Carlow defeated St. Patrick's College, Thurles, to win the Higher Education Hurling League.[18]

Presidents of the college
  • Henry Staunton (1792–1814)
  • Andrew Fitzgerald O.P. (1814–1843)
  • James Ignatius Taylor (1843–1850)
  • James Walshe (1850–1856) became Bishop in Kildare and Leighlin.[19]
  • John Dunne (1856–1864) appointed Parish Priest of Kildare.
  • James B. Kavanagh (1864–1880)
  • Edward Burke (1880–1892)
  • Patrick Foley (1892–1896) became Bishop in Kildare and Leighlin
  • John Foley (1896–1937), brother of Bishop Foley, was a professor at Carlow from 1886.
  • Thomas Browne (1937–1941), became parish priest in Port Laoise.
  • James J. Conway V.G. (1941–1948), was vice-president (1937-1941)
  • Martin Brenan (1948-1956)
  • Patrick Lennon, (1956–1966) he became Bishop in Kildare and Leighlin.
  • Robert Prendergast (1966-1970)
  • P.J. Brophy (1970–1974)
  • Laurence Ryan (1974–1980), he later became Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin
  • Matthew Kelly (1980–1986)
  • John McDonald (1986–1994)
  • Caoimhín(Kevin) Ó Néill (1994–2015)
  • Conn Ó Maoldhomhnaigh (2015–present), previously Vice-President[20]

Present

In the 1990s the College ceased to be a seminary and reclaimed its primary role as a college of the Humanities for lay people. In 1996 the college began an NCEA Certificate and Diploma course in Social Care. Prior to the foundation of HETAC a number of its courses were validated by its forerunner the National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA). Also about this time the college joined the Central Applications Office CAO for Irish school leavers applying for third-level education. On the 2011 CAO Carlow degrees in Citizenship and Community Studies, Humanities (Philosophy and Theology), English and History and Applied Social Studies in Social Care were offered.[21] The Humanities degrees are recognised for teaching in secondary schools.[22][23]

Other postgraduate programmes include Higher Diploma in Business Studies in Parish Planning and Administration, Postgraduate Diploma in Equality and Diversity in the Workplace and Master of Arts in Therapeutic Child Care and qualify for tax relief.[24]

In the 2006–07 academic year, the college opened a magnificently designed state-of-the-art library situated in the old college chapel. The library was named in memory of Fr Patrick Brophy, a former President, who bequeathed his full library to the college. The new facility incorporated the Delany Archive containing the archives of the Brigidine Sisters, the Patrician Brothers as well as the college and diocese.[25] It effectively charts 200 years of education in the local area. The P.J. Brophy memorial library stocks thousands of texts of the Humanities, in Philosophy, Theology, English Literature, Social Studies and the general Liberal Arts. The opening of the new library coincides with the opening of a new student services centre which is adjacent to the library. On 12 December 2006, the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, officially opened the Fr P.J. Brophy Memorial Library and the Kathleen Brennan Student Services Centre where the Students Union offices are located.

2014 saw the opening of the Information and Training Centre on Tullow Street[26]

In 2012 the School of Education, Trinity College Dublin began to offer Postgraduate Diploma/Masters in Education in Higher Education at Carlow College.[27]

2018 saw the commencement of an evening course in Local History.[28]

In 2019 there is a student body of approximately 700 students, full and part-time, taking degrees in the Humanities (in all fields of Philosophy, Theology and the Liberal Arts) and in the fields of Social Care; however, this number is likely to increase in the forthcoming years as the college has built a fine reputation of being a 'home away from home,' as the college has a unique, community-orientated ethos. A Graduation ceremony takes place each October with awards of Certificate, Diploma and Degrees being awarded. More recently an annual college ball has commenced.

Services and Facilities at the college include Lecture Theatres, the P.J. Brophy Memorial Library, study facilities, IT facilities, Canteen, Students, online learning via moodle.

The Carlow College Literary Awards & Creative Writing Showcase, takes place each year to celebrate and showcase student achievement, with awards for students in each year.[29]

Graduation

A graduation ceremony takes place each year and is attended by local figures from politics, education and business, as well as family and friends of the graduates. The 2011 graduation ceremony took place on 11 October, where graduates were conferred with their certificates, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in attendance were representatives of HETAC, Cllr. Tom O'Neill, Cathaoirleach of Carlow Town Council, Pat Deering TD, along with other dignitaries.[30]

At the 2013 Graduation ceremony 255 students received their qualifications degrees in Applied Social Sciences, Humanities, English and History, Community Studies, and Masters in Therapeutic Childcare and an MA by Research, Bishop Denis Nulty attended the ceremony[31]

The 2014 Graduation took place in the college with 242 graduating, along with the conferring ceremony the colleges new Information and Training centre was opened on Tullow Street, by Deputy Ann Phelan TD.[26]

The 2016 Conferring took place on 13 November, with the ceremony in the adjoining Cathedral and a reception in the college.

The 2018 Graduation took place on November 29.

The College awarded its inaugural St. Columbanus Medal in November 2018, to Dr Martin Mansergh, in recognition of his contribution to the Peace Process in Ireland.[32] In December 2019 the papal nuncio Archbishop Okolo accepted the medal on behalf of Pope Francis.[33]

In recent years, the college has established special links with Carlow University, Pittsburgh[34] and with St. Ambrose University, in Davenport, Iowa.[35] Other colleges which Carlow hosts study abroad programmes for University of West Florida (Irish Experience Programme),[36][37] Mount Mercy University, Harper College, Kishwaukee College,[38] and Parkland College[39] in Illinois, through the Illinois Consortium for International Studies and Programs and Madison Area Technical College, Wisconsin[40] these programmes would include excursions, Irish Literature and history courses.

Students' Union

The students of the college are organized under Carlow College Students' Union (CCSU), the smallest affiliate member of the Union of Students' Ireland (USI).

CCSU formed in 2010 with aid from USI, electing its first President Terry Behan at the end of the 2009/10 Academic Year. While having always acted autonomously, CCSU did not gain formal autonomy until 2017 when its autonomy was added into the CCSU constitution by a referendum of its members, and acknowledged by the college.

Past presidents of CCSU are as follows:

  • Terry Behan 2010–2012
  • Joeseph Farrelly 2012–2013
  • Niamh Coffey 2013–2014
  • Niall Torris 2014–2015
  • Conor O'Leary 2015–2016
  • Adam Clarke 2016–2018
  • Amanda Bowes 2018–2019
  • Adam Kane 2019–2020
  • Brendan Mansfield 2020–present

Carlow College Students' Union opened USI National Congress in 2018 with the outgoing President seeking a formal condemnation of the Rohingya Crisis in Myanmar by USI. The motion passed with no objection and USI continues to work with Amnesty International on the issue.

Partnership with Trinity College, Dublin

In November 2007, Carlow College signed on an agreement with Trinity College, Dublin, which allows for a new strategic collaborative partnership in the Humanities and Social Sciences between the two oldest colleges in Ireland.[41] The partnership has led to the M.Ed. programme in Carlow which commences in September 2012.

Coinciding with this agreement, in 2008, Carlow College played host to a series of History lectures named Re-interpreting Rebellion in Irish History as part of the Michael Slattery lectures. These lectures featured appearances from history lecturers such as Prof. Ciaran Brady, Prof. Jane Ohlmeyer and Dr Michael O' Siochru.

The 2015 lecturer series included talks by Prof. David Dickson, Dr. David Ralph, Prof. David Ditchburn, Dr. Antje Roeder and Prof. Daniel Faas [42]

Other recent public lectures such as "The Legacy of Vision: John Henry Newman’s Idea of a University" by Dr Andrew Pierce (Trinity College) and "The Legacy of Vision: John Henry Newman’s Idea of a University" by Prof. Patrica Casey (UCD/Mater Hospital).

National Centre for Contemporary Art and the George Bernard Shaw Theatre

In the spacious grounds of Carlow College is the unique National Centre for Contemporary Art and the George Bernard Shaw Theatre, which officially opened in 2009. The college generously donated a significant portion of its grounds to Carlow County Council to aid the project. The opening of this centre coincides with a new entrance to the grounds of the college from the Old Dublin Road side of Carlow town.

Buildings on the College Land
  • St. Patrick's - main Building of the College.
  • P.J. Brophy Library - former Chapel of Sacred Heart.
  • Cobden Hall - former Chapel named after Architect Thomas Cobden.
  • John England Room - Lecture hall named after famous former student.
  • Therry Room - Lecture hall named after famous former student.
  • Lennon House - student apartments.
  • Cathedral of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary, Carlow
  • VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art & The George Bernard Shaw Theatre
  • Information and Training Centre (on Tullow Street)[26]

The College is a keen supporter and participant in the annual Carlow Arts Festival,[43] with the College buildings, the Cathedral, Visual Centre and college grounds, used for hosting events, and for the Festival. The 37th festival sees the Festival HQ in a specially built pavilion on the College grounds.[44]

See also

References
  1. Bowen, Desmond (1983). Paul Cardinal Cullen and the shaping of modern Irish catholicism (1. publ. ed.). Dublin u.a.: Gill and Macmillan u.a. ISBN 978-0889201361.
  2. Carlow College Report Archived 23 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine HETAC
  3. Paul Cullen and his contemporaries with their letters from 1820-1902, by Peadar Mac Suibhne, Published in 1965, Leinster Leader (Naas)
  4. Minutes of the Senate of the University of London - 1 January – 22 July 1840
  5. St. Mary's College, Knockbeg rootsweb
  6. Kennedy, David (1946), Towards a university : an account of some institutions for higher education in Ireland and elsewhere, and of the attitude of Irish Catholics to them, with particular reference to Queen's College and Queen's University, Belfast / by David Kennedy, Catholic Dean of Residences, Queen's University
  7. St. Patrick's College Carlow Report, 1866 Introduction Printed by T. Price, 55 Dublin St.
  8. Page 96, Ireland Since the Famine by F.S.L. Lyons, Fontana Press, (1971)
  9. National Centre of Liturgy - Who we are www.liturgy-ireland.ie
  10. Irish priests in the United States: a vanishing subculture By William L. Smith.
  11. Carlow College adapts to Changing times Bishop Jim Moriarity, Irish Times, Monday, 4 August 2003.
  12. The Once and Future Church: Carlow College Bicentenary Lecture by L. Ryan - 1993.
  13. Written Answers. - Free Tuition Initiative, Minister for Education Niamh Bhreathnach Dáil Éireann, Tuesday, 14 November 1995
  14. Francis Hearn -1798 Rebellion And Waterford
  15. Kelly-Kenny, GENERAL SIR THOMAS, G.C.V.O., Catholics Who's Who, F. C. (Francis Cowley) Burnand.
  16. Kevin O'Higgins Archived 8 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine www.ucc.ie.
  17. Ecclesiastics at Carlow College play rugby. Carlow College Rugby Club formed. Chronology of Carlow Cricket.
  18. 'Strong Sprinkling of Wicklow Men recall St Patricks College Victory' by Martin Doogue, Wicklow People, April 23, 2014.
  19. THE RIGHT REV. JAMES WALSHE.D.D BISHOP OF KILDARE AND LEIGHLIN. COLLECTIONS RELATING TO THE DIOCESES OF KILDARE AND LEIGHLIN BY M, COMERFORD,
  20. Kildare and Leighlin Diocesan Appointments announced www.carlowcathedral.ie
  21. Courses PC Carlow College Central Applications Office 2011
  22. Recognised Post-primary Teaching Qualifications Archived 27 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine The Teaching Council
  23. QUALIFICATIONS RECOGNISED BY REGISTRATION COUNCIL FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADMISSION TO THE REGISTER OF SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ATSI Website, 2002
  24. Post Graduate Courses eligible for tax relief in the 2010/2011 Academic Year www.revenue.ie
  25. Delany Archive Collections.
  26. Proud day for Carlow College by Padraig Byrne, Carlow People, 22 November 2014.
  27. New Course in Higher Education Archived 17 February 2013 at Archive.today Carlow People, Tuesday 26 June 2012.
  28. New Local History Course starting in January 2018 Carlow Historical & Archaeological Society, December 3, 2017.
  29. Carlow College Literary Awards & Creative Writing Showcase Events, www.vistualcarlow.ie, 09 March 2020.
  30. Graduation 2011 Archived 25 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  31. Students Graduate from Carlow College Carlow People, 4 November 2013.
  32. Former Tipperary TD and Minister Martin Mansergh to be honoured as a peacemaker Tipperary Live, October 18, 2018.
  33. Nuncio accepts colleges award on behalf of the Pope by Elizabeth Lee, Carlow Nationalist, January 3, 2020.
  34. Carlow University (USA) Students Visit Carlow College (Ireland) Next Month Archived 30 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine - Press Release, Carlow University 30 May 2006
  35. Study Abroad Programmes - Fieldwork Abroad Archived 17 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine St. Ambrose University, Website
  36. UWF theatre, music and art students take talent overseas News - University of West Florida, May 18, 2016.
  37. UWF Irish Experience: Irish music spoke to students Pensacola News Journal, July 2, 2016.
  38. Explore the Emerald Isle - Carlow College www.icisp.org
  39. Study Abroad - Carlow College Parkland College website
  40. Carlow Study Abroad Archived 18 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine Madison College website
  41. New Strategic Partnership between Trinity College Dublin and Carlow College Archived 7 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine Trinity College Dublin Website, 6 November 2007
  42. Slattery Lectures Carlow College 2015 www.kandle.ie
  43. Carlow Arts Festival - Official website
  44. Carlow Arts Festival Archived 11 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine - Carlow Tourism

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