Warrenstown College

Warrenstown College was an Agricultural and Horticultural College run by the Salesian Fathers, in Drumree, County Meath.

History

The Salesian order received the lands in Drumree under the will of Mrs Elizabeth Lynch, a descendant of the Warren family local to the area, and they started training men for the agricultural industry in 1923. In 1958 the College developed a new site beside the old college building, and in 1968, specific programmes for the horticultural industry were started at the College.

In the 1980s, the College offered a two-year course in commercial horticulture and awarded a senior certificate to successful candidates.

Produce from the farm and glasshouses was sold through the market at Smithfield in Dublin.

The Principal of the Horticultural college was Br James O'Hare, succeeded by Mr Harold Lawlor.

The College offered a FETAC Vocational Certificate in Horticulture at three different levels (4, 5 and 6) with progression routes such as the National Diploma in Horticulture which validated by HETAC and run in conjunction with Teagasc and other Horticultural Colleges, was available at Warrenstown.[1]

The College, had developed links with the nearby Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown, and developed a BSc in Horticulture.[2]

Closure

The Agricultural College closed in 2001, and in 2008 the College of Horticultural announced it was to close in 2009.[3] 200 students and staff were to be transferred to the Botanic Gardens (who also have a linkage with IT Blanchardstown) and other Teagasc facilities.[4]

The 450 acre farm was sold in 2008 for €13.8million.[5]

Colaiste na bhFiann

The College is now the principal site for Colaiste na bhfiann, an Irish Language College[6] who purchased the College and 20acres from the Salesians, whose HQ is in Crumlin, Dublin 12 and who still run Pallaskenry Agricultural College in Limerick.

References
  1. National Diploma in Horticulture Teagasc Website.
  2. Warrenstown College prepares for new horticulture degree Meath Chronicle, Sunday, 4 May 2008.
  3. Warrenstown Horticultural College to Close Teagasc Website, 23 October 2008
  4. Agricultural Colleges over-subscribed by Darraqh Mullen, Irish Farmers Journal, 9 June 2009.
  5. Meath farm sells for €13.5 million; Irish farm land most expensive in Europe By Finfacts Team, 28 May 2008.
  6. Colaiste na bhfiann Breathes new life into Warrenstown Meath Chronicle, 21 July 2010.

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