The Holy Ghost Fathers (Spiritans) first arrived in Ireland in 1859, shortly afterwards opening The French College (now Blackrock College) in 1860 and Rockwell College near Cashel, Co. Tipperary (1864). By the late 1880s the Order was well disposed to opening a day school in the South Dublin area ‘without delay’, and were probably encouraged in this by Archbishop William Walsh and Canon Fricker, parish priest in Rathmines. A property, Larkhill, on the main Rathmines Road, opposite the parish church, was eventually purchased from a Mr. Walker.

Earliest years

The pioneering staff was led by Fr. Thomas Fogarty CSSp, who also became dean of studies. Students for the priesthood (Prefects) also taught classes and Brothers helped with domestic and maintenance duties. The aim was the “moral and intellectual education of boys from the ages of 12 to 18, with due attention to their physical well-being.” Every week brought more and more boys to the school, the majority of whom were locals. A Gala Christmas Concert was immediately arranged and was successful. Drama and Music were very important on the curriculum.

The 1892/3 roll shows 118 boys in attendance. By 1900 there were 142 students. Academic success in the prestigious public exams soon followed. Past students soon began to organise themselves into a Union, as well as Cricket and Rugby clubs etc. Dr. Edward Crehan, an educationalist of wide experience, took over leadership in 1900 for 4 years. He promoted gymnastics to such effect that the College won the Irish Schools title in six successive years.

He was succeeded by Fr. Tom O’Hanlon (1904-1916) under whom continued success in academics and extra-curricular activities was achieved. A commercial evening class was even added in 1905, unique in the schools of the time. Many priestly vocations emerged for the diocese and religious orders. Rory O’Connor, Kevin Barry, Jimmy O’Dea, Pierce F. Purcell, Colm O’Lochlainn, Thomas J. Kiernan and many other alumni became famous in various spheres of Irish society.

Temporary Closure

However, records talk about “a baptism of trials that have failed to sink” the College. Financially it was a huge struggle to keep the school going. The Order felt that the College also absorbed personnel needed elsewhere. Its closure was announced in July 1916.

Re-opening

But the closure was to be of short duration. Dr. Byrne, Archbishop of Dublin and government and civic dignitaries were anxious to see the College re-open and found an enthusiastic Spiritan advocate in Dr. Richard Hartnett CSSp, who became Provincial leader in 1925. Financial assurances led the General Council in Paris to approve the re-opening, which took place as a pallid affair in September 1926. 72 students enrolled, (including Fr. Ted Colleton CSSp, who died in April 2011!) Fr. Michael Meagher CSSp was the new President. From this new beginning a feature of the school “was the rapport and friendliness that existed between the community, staff and pupils.”

The thirties and forties

The debt had to be attacked, so fundraising was undertaken. Students were soon presented for the Leaving and Intermediate examinations. Dramatics and sport were promoted, with the Under 15 team winning the Junior Schools Rugby Cup for the first time in 1934. The Past Pupils’ Union was revived, along with its associated clubs and activities. The now prestigious Rugby Club was revived, soon moving to senior ranks. Under Fr. Peter Walsh CSSp, 1934 saw the opening of a Junior school, led by Fr. Joseph Gilmore CSSp. In 1942 a new Senior School extension was built — something that was replicated several times in subsequent decades. Dr. Joseph Whelan CSSp proved an outstanding educationalist and mentor here before his appointment to Nigeria, where he soon became Bishop of Owerri.

Academic and sporting successes were maintained, with a major emphasis also on dramatics, so much so that quite soon the alumni formed their own dramatics. society. A past-pupil, Fr. Tom Farrell, founded the CBSI and naturally enough College scout troops were active from 1941. Scouting continues to be a major feature of College life. The acquisition of Kenilworth Square in the mid-forties was of inestimable benefit to the College; within quite a short time it was transformed into a splendid sports amenity.

The fifties, sixties, and seventies

In the presidency of Fr. Gilmore CSSp (1951-1957) a fine College Chapel to hold 300 was built under the enlightened guidance of Bursar, Fr. Michael Kennedy CSSp. Shortly afterwards splendid mosaics completed the delicate and intricate decorative work there. At the same time a significant extension to the Senior School was added. This was followed by Junior School redevelopment in 1966-68, with the addition of a small gymnasium and shortly afterwards a new Scout Den was built in Kenilworth. Later the sanctuary of the College Chapel was remodelled to conform to the requirements of post-Vatican II liturgy. The Sixties was notable for sporting success, with the winning of the Junior Rugby Cup in 1963 and the Senior Cup in 1961, 1966 and 1969. The RFC won the Leinster Cup for Senior club teams in 1958, 1969, 1971, 1974 and 1975. Cricket cups were won and some outstanding successes were achieved in athletics.

The eighties and nineties 

Debating and Public Speaking were actively engaged in both within the school and in inter-school competitions. The College led the way, under the guidance of Fr. Cyril Byrne CSSp, in the introduction of Computer Studies to school curricula in Ireland. In 1985 Ronan McNulty, won the prestigious Aer Lingus Young Scientist of the Year competition. 

This time was one of great change in Irish education. In 1988 Mr. Frank Conlon became the first lay Principal of the College and later Mr. Dan Dunne became the first such Principal of the Junior School. The 1990s was a decade of great rugby success for the College with four Junior Cup Final appearances (twice successful) and a famous draw and replay in 1994 against Clongowes saw the Senior Cup won once again.

To the present day

The need for better facilities saw major extensions to the Senior School being built. In 1989 for the College Centenary, again in 1995 and most recently in 2002/3 with the wonderful amenity that is The Fr. Barry Hall, a sports and multi-purpose facility second to none in any Irish school. This is of immense benefit to co-curricular activities in both Junior and Senior School; to celebrate this new amenity apparently, the SCT again won the Leinster Rugby Cup in 2002, with five of the team chosen to play for Irish Schools!

The Holy Ghost Order established a Trustee Body for its five colleges in the late nineties, the Des Places Educational Association (DEA). Accordingly in 2004 two boards of management took over the administration of the College from a single Spiritan manager. These boards involve nominees from the DEA, staff and parent body and have given great guidance to administrators, staff and pupils.

Ethos

St. Mary’s College is a Spiritan School with a Catholic educational ethos. It sees no justification for anything other than a faith-based formation for its pupils. Liturgy and the sacraments are offered, together with catechesis and faith-development. The extended College family is part of the pastoral-care outreach of the College. Transition Year students work in the community with the elderly, the handicapped and the disadvantaged; the Saint Vincent de Paul Society is supported and in recent years a biennial Ghana Immersion Visit, which is a life-changing experience, is offered to fifty or so students.

Conclusion

It is virtually impossible to give a satisfactory resume of 121 years of College life and history in such a short article. Fortunately there is a wonderful record available in Fr. William Maher C.S.Sp.’s A History of St. Mary’s College, Rathmines, Dublin 1890–1990. Some copies of this work are still available. The author of this short article is much indebted to this work.