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HISTORY OF ST. MICHAEL'S COLLEGE INTRODUCTION
The aim of this Section is to give a general picture, not a minute chronicle, of the history of St. Michael’s and for this reason it has been necessary to pass over many names and important events which might have found their way into a longer historical account. It is hoped that this will be understood by staff, past students and other readers who may feel aggrieved that the history has been done less than justice. This record is, after all, not primarily of people or events but of the College.
The history extends from the inception of the College in 1944 until 2006. If providence and energy permit, it is intended that the History will be updated from time to time.
St Michael’s is one of the schools run by the Irish Holy Ghost Fathers in Ireland. The College has undergone a truly marvellous growth and development as some facts will graphically indicate. When, on the 8th May 1944, St. Michael’s opened its doors for the first time to only eight pupils, a thousand things were still unrealised, many changes were yet to come. On September 5th of that year, the first official school year began with twenty-five boys on the school roll. By mid-September, the fiftieth pupil had arrived.
Wondering turned to wonderment when by 1969, the Silver Jubilee year of the school, the September roll showed five hundred students. St. Michael’s College began the academic year 1993-1994 with 831 students in the Primary and Secondary departments. There are now 55 teachers and a Community of members of the Holy Ghost Congregation. Such acceleration over only five decades from such modest beginnings is a living testimony to the talent, initiative and courage of the many people who have helped build up St. Michael’s. Before however, retracing the maturing process of the College let us look back on its background and origins.
THE EARLY YEARS
Over one hundred years ago there was a school very near to where St. Michael’s now stands, in fact it was situated on the grounds now occupied by the new Merrion shopping centre. Duncan’s map of the area indicates that Bloomfield House was then known as St.Thomas’s College. This school boasted some noted alumni, including Bishop Pius Leahy O.P., and De Gartland, the Vice Rector of the Catholic University. This must have been one of the first Catholic Schools to open in the area after the easing of the Penal Laws. It did not survive very long.
The area has, of course, changed much over the years. There was a time when only a few big houses stood in extensive demesnes from the Dodder to Booterstown. Even these houses went no further back that the second half of the eithteenth century when the Fitzwilliams, ancestors of the Pembrokes began to parcel out their lands to developers or individual wealthy people.
Transport can transform localities. The modern electric railway was introduced in 1984 but that is but an modification of what was already there. In the context of the time, 1834 marked a bigger milestone for the whole area between Dublin and Dun Laoghaire (Kingstown), starting in a big way the era of commuters. It was not, however universally welcomed by the people of the Merrion area and some further afield, as it cut off direct access to the sea thus stunting the growing popularity of this area as a bathing place.
The road from Bray - the Slí Cualann of ancient times - and the road from the port of Dalkey and later Kingstown (Dun Laoghaire) hugged the sea coast in order to avoid the hills. Streams had to be forded, of course, and the nearer the sea the wider the span. The Dodder presented the greatest challenge in this respect, so the road from Blackrock at the Merrion cemetery area, took a sharp turn inland just when approaching St. Michael’s and headed directly for Donnybrook. King John granted the Corporation of Dublin a licence to hold an eight-day fair at that junction but the real attraction for travellers was that it was possible to ford the Dodder at this point.
With the construction of Ball’s bridge in the middle of the eighteenth century, direct access was provided to Dublin and a new era of development overtook the area between Ballsbridge and Booterstown.
It may be of interest here to record an incident connected with the old road because it brings us nearer St. Michael’s. It concerns the ancient custom of the Dublin Corporation known as the “Riding of the Franchises”, that is the public and symbolic manifestation of the limits of its jurisdiction on land and sea. The record of this annual ceremony reads as follows:
“In the name of God, the Mayor, sheriffs, recorder and aldermen, accompanied by more than 300 citizens on horseback, rode out of Dublin by Dame’s Gate, along the side of the Liffey to Ringsend and thence being low water, across the Poole Begge and Bare Foote, where on a trumpet sounding the company came together, and one of the water-bailiffs cast a spear as far as he was able into the sea to mark the limits in that direction.
Then they bent their course as directly as they could across the sand to Blackrock (The old Cross Boundary) and then turned back, and rode along the highway to the ‘Chapel of Merrion’ At the Chapel, after much sounding of the trumpet, the company came together and proceeded up an old road (behind Merrion Castle), then they proceeded around by the south-west corner of the Orchard Ditch of Merrion; thence they passed by ‘Our Lady’s Well’ where they stood a space and the trumpet again sounded, and came to the gate of Simmnscourt by the red shard and by the boundary of the land of Roebuck arrived at Donnybrook.”
When in 1892 Rev. G. T. Stokes, followed the journey taken by the Ride of the Franchises, he discovered part of the early road from Merrion to Donnybrook as it passed through the farm then owned by the French College, Blackrock, part of which is now used as the playing ground of St.Michael’s! Our Lady’s Well he could not trace at the time as it had been covered in by then. Stokes was interested in the well as he knew it had been a place of local pilgrimage in earlier centuries, so he did a little research.
He has this to say: "I consulted a splendid map made about 1820 by a man named Duncan. He marks the well plainly enough in the fields of what was then called Simpson’s Nursery, which is now the French College farm at the back of Ailesbury Road. If I desired to be extremely exact I should locate the well of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or Lady Well, just at the back of the house occupied by our new Honorary Fellow, the late Lord Mayor of Dublin, the Right Hon. Alderman Meade". He had traced the location of the well to the back of St. Michael’s.
The lands of Merrion on which St. Michael’s stands, formed part of Merrion Castle, an old Pale stronghold, owned by the Fitzwilliam family. These were ancestors of the later Earls of Pembroke. The main house of St. Michael’s was built by Michael Meade in 1860. It was modelled on Queen Victoria’s residence, Osborne, on the Isle of Wight and even today this is clearly visible. Michael Meade was founder of one of the most famous building firms in Dublin in the 2nd half of the 19th century. The Meades were builders of note, and were acclaimed for their good workmanship and the quality of the materials they used.
Among their buildings that may be seen today, are the Catholic churches of Donnybrook, Bray, Monkstown, and Harrington Street, the Gaiety Theatre, the Town Hall Dun Laoghaire, and Shrewsbury House (now the Belgian Embassy). Phenomenal builders that they were, employing on an average, nine hundred workers, Meades were contractors to the Board of Works; they also largely built Tipperary new town; houses in Northumberland Road were constructed by them and bear the monogram MM on the centre of the pediment of each block of four. Houses built adjacent to St. Michael’s on Ailesbury Road were also the work of the Meades. When Michael died he was succeeded by his son, Joseph.
Michael Meade called the house on the corner of Merrion and Ailesbury Road, St. Michael’s and interestingly a large statue of the same saint ornaments his grave opposite the main gate of Glasnevin Cemetery. When Joseph was laid to rest in 1900, St. Michael’s passed into the hands of Sir Ernest Cochrane of the firm of Cantrell and Cochrane, mineral water manufacturers. Sir Ernest had the house and gardens further enhanced and is credited with adding the Bossi fireplaces and panelling. In 1912 the building was sold to George N. Jacob, son of the founder of the well known Dublin firm Messrs. Jacob and Co. Ltd.
Meanwhile on another front, the French Holy Ghost Fathers had in the early 1860’s founded Blackrock College. In fact in 1864 when the Simpson farm (now the Nutley estate and part of St. Vincent’s Hospital), came on offer it was bought by the Holy Ghost Fathers and indeed at one stage Pere Leman, the founder of the French College, Blackrock seriously considered transferring his young but fast developing school to Nutley, Merrion. Eventually he decided against it and the property in Merrion was reserved for farming and games. Rugby pitches were prepared and among those who played there were Michael Cusack and Eamonn deValera. After the Second World War a larger farm was needed so Blackrock sold the property in Merrion where soon Nutley housing development was to take shape.
THE BEGINNING
Around the early 1940’s the population of the area was growing and requests were being made by parents to have at least a Junior School within easy reach. In Blackrock College, it was felt the possibility of opening a school in the area should be explored. Fate was also playing its own mysterious hand. Just then Jacobs were selling St. Michael’s. The Holy Ghost Order was not totally in favour of buying a mansion and not too enthusiastic about starting another school. The President of Blackrock College – Fr. Michael Kennedy having duly considered all the permutations was in favour of going ahead - perhaps the name Michael had something to do with it! To say that the going price £8,000 (just over €10,000) - was a bargain would be a gross understatement. Nevertheless it was still a very substantial amount of money in 1943 and the Holy Ghost Order thought it would be difficult to raise this kind of a sum.
Eventually the decision was made - the Holy Ghost Order would negotiate on the matter. Fr. Kennedy was unavoidably absent from home-base during the final days of negotiations. It was arranged that if the purchase was successfully terminated, he should be wired at once: "Michael has come home". The said telegram was duly dispatched - Michael indeed became domesticated and what a happy home-coming it proved to be.
And so it came to pass that on Monday 8th May 1944, Fr. Kennedy’s dream materialised when he opened the infant school at St. Michael’s. A brief note in the Blackrock community journal records the event: "Today Fr. Superior formally opened St. Michael’s. With him was Fr. Maguire. Mgr. Maloney (P.P., of Donnybrook) blessed the house. Brother John Joseph was also present. The number of students - 8 - is small for the moment, but we hope that by September the School will assume due proportions. Fr. Thomas Maguire is in charge; Fr. O’Neill will help him."
This was a seminal event in the history of the College and it is worth recording the occasion in detail as found in the records:
THE FIRST DAY – MONDAY, 8th May 1944
St. Michael’s opened this morning at 10.00am. Very Rev. Fr. Superior invited Rt. Rev. Monsignior Moloney to bless the house. The ceremony took place at 12.00noon after which a half day was granted.
The following is the list of pupils who arrived the first morning:
Niall Coakley, 36 Merlyn Road, Ballsbridge. Aged 8 Brian Mooney 32 Merlyn road, Ballsbridge. Aged 8 Des Colligan 12 Ailesbury Park, Ballsbridge. Aged 9 Desmond Fay 4 Sydney Parade Avenue. Aged 9 Garrett Carton 18 Ailesbury Road., Aged 8 John Tierney 9 Eglinton Road, Donnybrook. Aged 9 Desmond O’Neill, 7 Merlyn Park. Aged 9 Peter Boucher 39 Willfield Road. Aged 7
The Blackrock Annual of 1944 also chronicled the occasion: "On the 8th May, St. Michael’s Junior School was opened and the first names inscribed on the roll. The fine residence, situated at the corner of Ailesbury Road, and amply provided with recreation grounds and playing fields, is to supplement, extend and continue the Junior School at Willow Park. It will preserve the title and patronage of the great Archangel."
As anticipated, the young school began to grow. On September 5th of that year, the first official school year began with twenty-five boys on the school roll. By mid-September, the fiftieth pupil had arrived. Now numbers are calculated in the hundreds.
1944-1970
The first dean of the Junior School, Fr. Maguire was later succeeded by Fr. Cornelius Daly whose career was cut short by an untimely death. Fr. Toirleach O’Brien and later Fr. Maguire again, served the young developing school as deans. Then in 1957, Fr. Seamus Galvin, who was to play a crucial role in the development of the College, was appointed as Dean of Studies and Dean of Games. Four years later, Fr. Maguire left St. Michael’s to take up his duties as National Director of the Holy Childhood and in the same year, 1961 Fr. Patrick Nolan came to St. Michael’s as Director.
Fr. Nolan, together with Fr. Galvin and the Bursar, Fr. Thomas Fox planned the future direction of St. Michael’s. Fr. Fox continued as Bursar until 1970 when he was replaced by Fr. Patrick Leonard. Fr. Leonard guided the financial destinies of St. Michael’s until 1983. He worked together with Fr. Galvin in organising a large building programme which resulted in improvements to the Senior School and the building of a new Junior School. They also restored the community residence to a worthy state.
Fr. Galvin later became National Director, Pontifical Mission Societies (1978-1998) while Fr. Leonard succeeded Fr. Tom Rooney as President and chief director of the the World Mercy Organisation in 1986 and continued in that office until his death in July 2005.
For the first quarter century of its existence St. Michael’s continued to be a Junior School and supplied Blackrock College, the top class being first year Secondary. In 1968 it was decided that pupils would stay in St. Michael’s till after the Intermediate Certificate (4th year), and then spend the final two years in Blackrock. In 1967 the first major extension to the school was completed. This is the wing that is attached to and extends South from the main house. The wing comprised ten classrooms with an Assembly Hall and Art and Science facilities. The tastefully designed, well-constructed building and the Swimming Pool was blessed on May 4th 1970, by Most Rev. John C. McQuaid D.D., Archbishop of Dublin who afterwards presided at Mass in the School’s Assembly Hall.
It will have been noticed that Fr. Patrick Nolan became Director of St. Michael’s in 1961. He was ‘Director’ as distinct from Superior until 1970 because the community was affiliated to Blackrock College. Fr. Nolan had previously been Director of Junior Scholastics in Rockwell College and Bursar in Willow Park. He showed great interest in those under his care and great sensitivity to their needs and was always concerned for their well-being. Fr. Nolan passed to his reward in 1999, but we are convinced that the community and school he loved so well still benefits as much, if not more, from the support of his prayers and we presume he still looks down on us with the same care and sensitivity he exercised while he was still on earth.
FR. SEAMUS GALVIN DEAN OF STUDIES AND GAMES 1957-1966 PRINCIPAL 1966-1976 PRESIDENT/PRINCIPAL/COMMUNITY LEADER 1970-1976 HONORARY PRESIDENT 2005-
Ordained in 1954, after his consecration to the Apostolate Fr. Seamus Galvin spent two years on the Promotion Team of the Irish Province of the Holy Ghost Order. He was then appointed to St. Michael’s and has been attached to the community since September 1957. From 1957 to 1977 he directed as Dean of Studies, Principal, President and Superior, the early building and expansion of the college. He pursued with judicious foresight and consummate dedication the objective of building St. Michael’s into a school that would one day take its place among the major colleges of our country.
His leadership and educational skills were appropriately rewarded, when on the 16th December 1970, after St. Michael’s had been for twenty-six years a school of Blackrock College, the then Superior of Blackrock College, Fr. Tim O’Driscoll announced that permission had been granted to establish St. Michael’s as an independent Community and College. Fr. Galvin was appointed Superior of the new Community of St. Michael’s St. Michael’s had come of age as a school and was established as a unit for complete primary and secondary levels of education. For the next six years Fr. Galvin, as President of St. Michael’s, was to act as Principal of the School as well as Superior of the community.
A further extension was initiated in 1973, completed in 1974 and opened by the then Taoiseach, Mr. Liam Cosgrave T.D., on October 29th, 1975, the Feast of St. Michael. The new addition to the building population was blessed by Most Rev. Dermot Ryan, D.D., Archbishop of Dublin who also celebrated Mass in the Assembly Hall. This wing, now known as the Library Block encloses classrooms, well-equipped Science Rooms, the Principal’s office, a Dean’s office, the Secretary’s office, office for career guidance teacher, facility rooms and a library. Pupils of Sixth Year sat for the first Leaving Certificate Examinations to be held in the College, in the summer of 1976. When Fr. Galvin’s term of office as Superior of the College terminated in December 1976 and he moved on to front the Pontifical Mission Societies, he could justifiably look back on nineteen years of dedicated service to St. Michael’s, a service that produced substantial progress.
[Note: Fr. Denis Kennedy joined the St. Michael’s community in 1970, qualified H.D.E. (1971) and served as Dean of Studies 1971-1973.]
FR. PATRICK A. (ALO) FLOOD PRINCIPAL SENIOR SCHOOL 1977-1983
As President, Fr. Galvin had combined the functions of Principal of the school and Superior of the community from 1970-1976. In 1976 Fr. Cyril Sheedy was appointed Superior of the community and Fr. A. Flood became Principal of the school. Fr. Patrick Leonard continued as Bursar. The team worked in complete harmony. The school and the community were in safe hands.
When Fr. Flood came to St. Michael’s in January 1977, it was a crucial time in the development of the school and the circumstances called for care, skill and good management. We had just commenced for the first time, the senior cycle in our Secondary School. This involved employing many new teachers and the setting up of new structures to cope with the growing number of pupils. In 1977, St. Michael’s College began the academic year with a total of nine hundred and eighty boys in the Primary and Secondary Departments. There were fifty teachers and a community of twelve members of the Holy Ghost Congregation.
It was a tribute to his management and foresight that at the end of his term of office Fr. Flood handed over to his successor a well organised and flourishing school. The monuments he left behind included a new Junior School, opened in 1981, excellent sport facilities and a find modern library. In 1981 the school added computer Science, Classical Studies and Mechanical Drawing to its extensive curriculum. In the after school activities twenty-five different programmes were available to students, including Rugby, Soccer, Lawn Tennis, Athletics, Basketball, Table-Tennis, Fishing, Archery, Chess, Drama.
The demand was there and St. Michael’s was more then equal to the challenges thrown up by the demand.
During 1981-1982 developments took place in the building programme planned for St. Michael’s. A New Junior school was the focus of this building drive. The prefabricated buildings which served as classrooms were removed and the new Junior School was built and opened in 1981. This was without any qualification an outstanding achievement for the College.
A modern library was developed in the already existing school library. Eight new tennis courts were laid down, four of them of championship quality. The completion of the building programme provided facilities that enabled the College to instruct its pupils in the ever-expanding curriculum required for the education of young people.
Fr. Flood was a man for ‘firsts’. It was with a sense of satisfaction, a justifiable feeling of pride and a sentiment of gratitude for accomplishments achieved that Fr. Flood launched the first St. Michael’s Annual in 1977. For a quarter of a century, St. Michael’s featured in the Blackrock College Annual, when at the end of each academic year, the events of school life were chronicled and illustrated. Fr. Flood saw the value of a school Annual and set the machinery in motion. Fr. Leo McGarry was editor of the first annual and he was assisted by Fr. Tony Little.
As well as launching the first annual, the first graduation for Sixth Years (1980) took place under his direction.
When Fr. Flood’s term of office as Principal of the College ended in August 1983 he could look back on 6 years of dedicated service to St. Michael’s, a service that was as well informed as it was skilfully rendered. He was always deeply concerned for the welfare of his students. In an address on Prize Day in May 1979 Fr. Flood spoke movingly to the assembled prizemen: “The Holy Ghost Fathers have a special mission in life, namely to motivate devotion to the third person of the Blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit. He is the Spirit of hope and enlightenment and under His guidance, we can advance in wisdom and perfection. On behalf of the St. Michael’s Community, may I wish all of you, from the Holy Ghost Fathers an abundant outpouring of that same Spirit, an outpouring which will bring to your lives, the vigour of youth, the wisdom of the mature and the peace that comes to all people of good will. It is a wish not only for this summer evening, but also a wish for all your lives.”
Fr. Flood and those who assisted him certainly left “footprints on the sands of time”. And we have seen some of the the tangible signs of their time in office - a New Junior School, excellent sport facilities and a fine modern library. And we must not forget that this era saw the first College Annual.
FR. AIDAN LEHANE PRESIDENT/COMMUNITY LEADER/PRINCIPAL 1983-1992 MANAGER SENIOR AND JUNIOR SCHOOLS 1994-1998
The ebb and flow of time gave rise to a new team when Fr. Aidan Lehane was appointed President/Community Leader/Principal in 1983 and Fr. Thomas O’Malley became Bursar in 1984. Fr. Lehane had been involved in education since 1956 when he went to Rockwell as Dean of Students. He was successively Dean, Bursar and Superior in Rockwell. He served as Superior in Blackrock College 1977-1983. Fr. O’Malley’s experience particularly as Bursar is equally impressive. From 1950-1960 he served as Bursar in College St Esprit, Mauritius, then as Bursar in Willow Park, Blackrock College 1961-1975. He was Bursar in Blackrock College 1977-1981 and followed this with a three year stint as Provincial Bursar in Canada. So he came to us with vast knowledge of and expertise in matters financial. Fr. Lehane and Fr. O’Malley quickly established their presence here in many ways. Work commenced on the Sports Hall in June 1984 and the new building was used for the first time in April 1985. The hall is multi-functional in purpose, catering as it does for basketball, volleyball, 5-a-side football, indoor tennis badminton and gym; it is also used as a centre for end-of-term house examinations.
Another new wing as added in 1989. This new unit situated adjacent to the Junior School and Library block is reserved for Sixth Year students. It provides our Final Year with their own coffee bar and spacious common room, enclosing a personal locker for each student as well as class rooms, facility rooms and the Dean’s office. The idea of Sixth Year having their own block was considered a good concept. It was felt that it would encourage their own sense of responsibility and would provide them with an opportunity to establish and maintain their own identity. [The advent of teacher-based classrooms later on, means that Sixth Year no longer have all classes in this block. Happily, the Sixth Year common room still remains.]
Computers could be called the rage of this or any age and it is worth mentioning that St. Michael’s did not fall behind the white-hot technological revolution. We kept pace with the advance in computer technology and consequently our students enjoy and benefit from, a high-level exposure to this miracle machine. 1989 saw the purchase of fifteen ERS IBM compatible computers, with hard disks and 3.5 inch floppy disk drives and two line printers. The computers are fully equipped with the latest system of MS.DOS (version 3.30a) and run Microsoft Work, word processing, databases and spreadsheet. The computers are also used for graphics, using the GEM PAINT system (which can also be used as a word processor) Programming is also an integral part of the systems, in the form of GWBASIC, which is very similar to BASIC. The “old retainer” Apple 11e computer, drives and printer long remained for use with BASIC, LOGO and COMAL, giving students the widest possible experience of different computer systems. In order to maintain pace with developments this system was updated when necessary – this meant frequently. Because of the rapid development of technology, it was a question of running hard to stay in the same place.
Attentions spans were fast becoming conditioned by the instant democracy of the T.V. remote control button, and consequently teaching was becoming more and more demanding. Fr. Lehane was very conscious of this and he was determined to establish favourable working conditions for his staff. So expansion and improvement continued when in September 1990 a new academic staff-room was opened. The staff are always entitled to a pleasant work environment and this new staff-room provided (and still does), an ideal place in which to work and relax. This addition to St. Michael’s is all a staff room is meant to be; there is space for both work and relaxation; there are facilities for the use of computers and facilities for providing refreshments.
Fr. Aidan Lehane completed a busy and productive nine years as Community Leader/ Principal of St. Michael’s in July 1992.
OVERVIEW OF FR. LEHANE’S TENURE AS COMMUNITY LEADER AND PRINCIPAL
In September 1983, when Fr. Aidan Lehane accepted his appointment to St. Michael’s College as Leader of the Community and Principal of the College, he came to a school which was young in years but already well on its way towards the establishment of its own distinct identity among Holy Ghost Colleges, thanks to the leadership and vision of Fr. Seamus Galvin and Fr. Alo Flood, the first two Principals of the College.
To say that Fr. Lehane made a great contribution would be an understatement. Under his leadership St. Michael’s really came of age and took its place at the very top in the educational and sporting fields. By his own leadership and enthusiasm he guided this young College to a maturity well beyond its years.
His practical appreciation of the fact that success was the result of hard work brought the best out of pupils and staff alike. A saying of Pasteur which he himself was fond of using summed up his attitude, “Chance favours the prepared mind”. Fr. Lehane inspired all to emulate him because it was clear that he followed his own advice and worked hard.
Yet he was acutely aware in the contemporary Irish context of the danger of sanctifying academic success to the exclusion of all else. In his regular meetings with parents and teachers he emphasised that no school should be judged on academic results alone, that education should be about the self-development of the student into a balanced personality under the direction of an ideal. This ideal should be the Christian spirit acquired in St. Michael’s and taken into the adult world as a treasure to be shared.
Fr. Lehane’s broad vision of education ensured that he was an enthusiastic supporter of all extra-curricular activities. He oversaw the building of an excellent sports hall and had the distinction of receiving the first Leinster Junior Rugby Cup into the College in 1991. It was only fitting that he should have been the one so honoured since his reluctance to be satisfied with being second best led to a more competitive attitude in the school and a desire for the students to fulfil their potential. Under his encouragement this attitude became a hallmark of every team in the College.
During his time in office, Fr. Lehane’s sights were broadened even further. He became one of the prime movers in the formation and development of E.S.H.A. (European Secondary Heads Association) and as a result redeveloping the links forged in past generations with educational establishments throughout Europe and ensuring that our education would be relevant to the new Europe in the process of formation.
Fr. Aidan’s years in St. Michael’s were ones of inspiring leadership, and this leadership touched academic staff and community alike. He worked well himself and performed a great work! St. Michael’s remembers him with pride and gratitude. Fortunately we still benefit from his presence. Although he has transferred to a different school and community, we still enjoy his frequent visits and his example is vividly remembered by those members of the community and staff who were fortunate enough to benefit from his energetic guidance and inspiration. Among his favourite quotations was the gem: “It is not in mortals to achieve success but we’ll deserve it!” Fr. Lehane richly deserved the success and distinction that came his way.
LINK
One of Fr. Lehane’s last official acts was to announce the appointment of his successor - Fr. William Bradley. This announcement took place on the last day of term Friday 5th June 1992.
Another equally important announcement was made at the same time and it was equally welcomed - Fr. Holohan had been appointed to take charge as Superior. Fr. Holohan had served on the mission fields of Nigeria and had experience as Dean of Students in Rockwell and also as Community Leader in Rockwell.
A third appointment was announced on the same day, but the recording of this touches on a sad note. Fr. Michael McCarthy was appointed Manager of the College. However, his time as manager was short-lived as he passed to his reward in March 1994. He had been Headmaster of Templeogue College, vice-Provincial, Provincial Procurator and Provincial before he became manager of St. Michael’s. While we regret his untimely death we recall his memory with affection and gratitude.
Fr. Lehane succeeded Fr. McCarthy as manager and continued in office until 1998. As manager he had overall responsibility for the development of both the Senior and Junior schools. He represented the Trustees and as such was ultimately responsible for the development of St. Michael’s College in accordance with Catholic principles and in accordance with the Holy Ghost Congregation’s traditions in education.
FR. WILLIAM BRADLEY PRINCIPAL, SENIOR SCHOOL 1992-1996 MANAGER SENIOR AND JUNIOR SCHOOLS 2002-2004 HONORARY PRESIDENT 2004-2005
The appointment of Fr. William Bradley as Principal was announced on Friday 5th June 1992, against a background of unanimous agreement and consent.
A popular member of the staff here since 1974, Fr. Bradley was no stranger to St. Michael’s, so little wonder that the choice was so welcome.
Ordained in July 1969 he was appointed to South West Brazil the following year and he ministered there for four years. He came to St. Michael’s in 1974 and worked as a member of the staff until his appointment as Principal.
Service was always regarded as a hallmark of his priesthood and his work. His expertise spanned many areas – he was involved in teaching religion and mathematics, trained basketball teams and cross country runners for many years, and took an active interest in other sports. In the midst of all that activity, almost incredibly, Fr. Bradley also found time to graduate B.A. from Maynooth, 1976 and H.D.E. from Trinity College 1977.
However, he was first and foremost a dedicated priest. Fr. Sheedy, who preached the homily at his Silver Jubilee said of him: “No one could ever accuse him of being half hearted. It seems to me that our jubilarian possesses sincerity, constancy of mind, careful attention to justice together with an instinctive courtesy.” All these qualities were evident in all his dealings with people both as priest and principal.
Those who worked with him testify to the delicated balance of firmness, flexibility good sense and diplomacy which he exercised during his years as Principal. He was extremely popular among the students, - present and past. The College maintained its excellent academic and sporting record during his term of office – there was no decline in standards in any area. Those who came in contact with him valued his commitment to his work. Always approachable and available to staff, parents and students, he instinctively devoted himself wholeheartedly to he duties.A prodigious worker he was always active looking after the needs of his many duties.
Fr. Bradley continued as Principal until June 1996 when he departed on Sabbatical leave. Characteristically, he continued to take a keen interest in the affairs of St. Michael’s and kept in close contact with events during his time away. However, not to be separated from the College he loved so well, he returned to join the staff in 1998 and immediately became deeply involved in the day-to-day running of the school, taking over as Year Head to Second Year students. Again he show he had lost none of his God-given ability to deal skilfully and sensitively with the many demands of that post.
Fr. Bradley then showed the many sided nature of his talents as he performed the role of chaplain (2003-2005) and College Manager from September 2002 until our Board of Management was put in place in January 2004. On his retirement from teaching in 2005 he returned to parish ministry - a basic love of his as a dedicated priest.
LEN HOWARD PRINCIPAL, SENIOR SCHOOL 1996-2003
One evening in May 2003 the entire staff gathered to pay tribute to Mr. Len Howard who served as Principal in St. Michael’s 1996-2003. It was not an evening of goodbyes but an evening of happy memories. Speaker after speaker unpacked their recollection of Len’s contribution to St. Michael’s, of his sagacity, his judgement, his keen wit and intelligence.
From the many glowing tributes a pattern emerged of a man who had become part of the fabric of the college, a man whose name and sterling qualities will forever be indelibly linked with St. Michael’s. As each appreciation unfolded, we heard of a man who was an excellent and highly qualified teacher, an administrator of exceptional skill, a person others could turn to for guidance and not be disenchanted. All in all it was a portrait of a man who had invested a huge chunk of his life in education, an investment that had yielded vast dividends.
When Mr Len Howard became principal of St. Michael’s in 1996 he was well prepared to accept the responsibility. An honours graduate of UCD he also studied in the USA where he was awarded a first class Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology and was elected as a member of Phi Delta Kappa, the international association of professional educators whose mission is to promote quality education. He has been tutor in the History department in UCD and is the author of many textbooks.
The records, show that Len first came to St. Michael’s in September 1965 some six years after he began his career as a teacher. He acted as Guidance Counsellor as well as teacher here, before he became Vice Principal in 1971. As VP he shared responsibility with the Principal for the implementation of the policy of the college and assisted the Principal in the day-to-day running of St. Michael’s.
Len’s achievement during his term as principal was to bear – with efficiency and integrity – the burden of St. Michael’s. This burden involved a heterogeneous collection of responsibilities ranging from being available to pupils, to making decisions about school policy, to caring for the needs of the staff and meeting with parents to discuss their concerns. The demands of these burdens were discharged with personal modesty that was equalled only by his inexhaustible patience. He was always well informed about the changing cultural scene in Ireland and always aimed at making the educational standards of St. Michael’s respond to student needs both for further education and for future employment.
While it is true to way that it is not the length of a career that determines its impact or its quality, but the depth of its commitment and the height of its purpose, nevertheless, the thought of over four decades in education does exert a unique pull on the mind. It concentrates the mind to recall that Len began teaching way back in 1959. In a career that continued until 2003, it could be said with absolute truth that this career in secondary education went through the full trajectory and fulfilled most possibilities.
NOEL TURLEY DEPUTY PRINCIPAL, SENIOR SCHOOL 1996-2001
Noel Turley, became Vice-Principal, [later Deputy Principal, the first to hold that title], in 1996.
Noel, who hails from Vicarstown, Co. Laois, received his secondary education in Blackrock College. A graduate of U.C.D. – B.A. (1959), H.D.E. (1961), B. Comm. (1963), he became his career as a secondary school teacher in 1960. He first taught in St. Michael’s 1960-1965 (Jan.), then in Blackrock College, January 1965-1978, where he fronted the commence department. He returned to join the staff of St. Michael’s in 1978 and as well as teaching was Year Head of sixth year students and Games Master.
He was teacher, adviser, coach, mentor and friend to generations of Michael’s boys, always fulfilling his duties with flair and commitment. His strength, integrity, sincerity and good sense were valued just as much in the staff room as they were by pupils. These character-traits are still appreciated and admired by all with whom he comes in contact.
Noel did remarkable work for many charities both in and outside the College, and always went about this aspect of his life in a characteristically dedicated, unobstrusive way.
Noel retired in 2001 but it will come as no surprise to those who know him, to learn that is still fondly remembered in the class rooms, the staff room, on the corridors and the playing fields of St. Michael’s. His time as Deputy Principal was at once a valued, valuable and memorable moment in the history of the College.
FR. BILLY CLEARY CHAPLAIN, SENIOR SCHOOL 1997-2001 MANAGER, SENIOR AND JUNIOR SCHOOLS 1998-2002
Fr. Billy Cleary succeeded Fr. Dermot Forkin as chaplain to the senior school in 1997 and continued in that office until 2001. He had also been appointed manager in 1998. As we were approaching the end of the millennium he set about transforming the College landscape – literally.
“Project 2000”, as it came to be called, was initiated in 1997 while Fr. Aidan Lehane was Manager. Fr. Cleary will be best remembered for the completion of this major development of the College. He looked at the first 50 years that the college was in existence, assessed its progress and realised that much had been done. But realising that change is always necessary if one wishes to keep pace with the needs generated by the passage of time, he was not content to simply rest on past achievements however praiseworthy. Following another man of great vision, he did not look on what had been done and say why, but he looked on what could be done and said why not?
The question was simply stated: How was St. Michael’s not only to maintain but enhance the high level of dedicated service and an educational environment that is second to none? This was the question that occupied his mind, indeed a question which occupied the minds of all those committed to and involved in the St. Michael’s education project on the threshold of a new millenium. So the game was afoot!
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
An All School Evaluation, commissioned by Fr. Aidan Lehane and conducted by Mr. Pat Diggins of the Drumcondra Education Research Unit was held in the academic year 1996-1997. Parents, staff and pupils were consulted by way of a questionnaire. The results were studied by management and staff in the following academic year. While registering a high satisfaction level with education, student-pupil relations, home-school liaison and extracurricular activities, certain needs were identified.
All agreed that the school needed to provide a canteen facility, a College Chapel, an office area, a library with I.T. facilities, an additional science laboratory and extra classrooms.
In May 1998 the task of seeing how best to provide for these needs and others, was entrusted to a design team. Proposals were made in January 1999 and considered by parents and staff. A number of suggestions were made and these were taken on board by the design team, enabling a final outline plan by the end of March. This plan was again viewed by staff and some parents. The outline plan was accepted as a good basis on which to proceed to a detailed design plan.
For the first time St. Michael’s had a master plan for all future development at the College. This master plan included: a new canteen and sports pavilion; a College Chapel and new office area; a library with I. T. resource centre; a new students’ entrance with special locker areas; new study areas, a laboratory and additional classrooms.
It was decided that these new facilities would be provided by converting the existing changing rooms adjacent to the Assembly Hall into a canteen that connected to the hall providing a spacious dining area at lunch time. A modern purpose-built sports pavilion could be constructed closer to the playing fields.
It would be necessary to alter the 1975 Library block to provide a new two-storey building with a Chapel, study and special locker areas. The existing classrooms on the Nutley Avenue side would need to be extended. Extra classrooms in this building would enable a reorganisation of rooms to provide a science laboratory, library / I. T. centre, art and music rooms.
It was planned to construct a new students’ entrance with concourse adjacent to the swimming pool. An additional staircase and lift would need to form part of this building. The official school entrance at the Principal’s office would be renovated and a new reception area with office space located there.
FROM PLANNING TO REALITY
Planning and reality soon merged. Friday 26th May, 2000 was an important milestone in Project 2000. A building contract was agreed between St. Michael’s College and Merrion Contracting Ltd., of 221 Merrion Road. Fr. Billy Cleary signed on behalf of St. Michael’s and Mr. Anthony Callanan for Merrion Contracting.
One month later, on Monday 26th June, work began. It was necessary to demolish in order to build. The first task was the demolition of the 1975 building with the exception of the Physics and Biology laboratories. This was undertaken by Hegarty Demolition Ltd. Work on the new sports Pavilion began at the same time.
The targets of PROJECT 2000 were ambitious to say the least. But gradually after fund raising, planning, organising and doubtlessly the odd headache – the dream developed and gradually took tangible shape. A vision was realised and a splendid New Development now stands as testament to the realisation of a dream and a vision. A wish list was completed and it was a long list. Thanks to dreamers and visionaries we now have at our disposal:
Ø A library and information Technology (IT) Resource Centre
Ø Our first College Chapel, a sacred space provided for the celebration of the Eucharist and prayer assemblies.
Ø A College Restaurant that serves a lunch and evening menu providing nutritious and health food daily.
Ø A new Sports Pavilion, named after Bishop Joseph Shanahan CSSp. This is a state of the art sports Pavilion located at the entrance to the playing fields. It includes changing rooms on the groundfloor and a top-class fitness centre with hospitality suite on the first floor.
Ø Two new study areas – this expanded the area for supervised study the demand for which continues to grow.
Ø An art and Craft Studio.
Ø A new students’ entrance with concourse adjacent to the swimming pool.
Ø A well staffed Administration office.
Ø Additional classrooms to allow for teacher-based classrooms.
Ø Locker Rooms.
Ø Adequate car parking facilities.
All this was a remarkable achievement, a great success. Project 2000 was completed on time. Let it be recorded that Merrion Contracting started work on 26th June 2000 and toward the end of August, 2001 the new facilities were ready for use.
Such an achievement called for celebration, and September 2001 will long be remembered a month of rejoicing. During this time a number of distinguished guests joined us in celebrating the success of Project 2000. Fr. Pat Palmer, then Provincial of the Holy Ghost Order, offered the mass for the dedication of our new College Chapel on Sunday September 9th. On Friday September 14th, Cardinal Connell, then Cardinal/Archbishop of Dublin came to bless the Jubilee Building. His Eminence took part in a liturgical service with the Senior boys and later met individually with the staff of both the Senior and Junior Schools.
Her Excellency, Mrs. Mary McAleese, Uachtarán na héireann, honoured us with a visit on Thursday September 27th. After meeting Junior School teachers and students she inspected the Jubilee Building. She was then escorted to the Sports Hall to be welcomed by Fr. Cleary. Her address to Senior and Junior School pupils, teachers and guests was most inspiring and Mr. Howard, then Principal of the Senior School, thanked her for joining in our celebrations and congratulated her on the achievements of her Presidency.
Bishop Martin Drennan was the chief celebrant at the mass of Thanksgiving for the success of Project 2000 in the College Chapel on Sunday September 30th.
An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern paid tribute to our achievements when he visited in January 2002.
MR. TIM KELLEHER PRINCIPAL, SENIOR SCHOOL 2003 -
The appointment of Mr. Tim Kelleher as Principal of St. Michael’s Senior School, which took effect on 1st September 2003, was warmly welcomed by the community and staff of St. Michael’s in conjunction with all College associates.
Mr. Kelleher was educated in the North Monastery Cork. He completed his BA degree and his Higher Diploma in Education in UCD (1996), and undertook a Masters Degree in Education in St. Patrick’s College NUI Maynooth (1997) where he focused on Instructional leadership in the second level school sector.
A former Principal of St. Brendan’s College, Woodbrook, Bray (2000 - 2003), Mr. Kelleher previously served as an Assistant Principal in St. Killian’s CS Bray (1993 - 2000), where he was also a member of the Board of Management. Mr. Kelleher was National Director of the Community Education Directors Association (1997 - 2000) and his involvement in the field of national policy development in the context of Lifelong Learning saw him working as advisor to the Department of Education and Science, the ASTI, the Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools, and the Joint Managerial Body for second level schools.
As well as his educational managerial experience Mr. Kelleher brings to his post a broad teaching experience from both the secondary school sector, the community and comprehensive sector and the realm of continuing education where he taught Information Technology.
Throughout his teaching career Mr. Kelleher coached and promoted a wide variety of sporting and cultural activities. For him, effective schools as those which specifically focus on good teaching and learning but also strive to develop the whole person. He established and worked with Student Councils, Parents’ Councils, Curriculum Advisory Boards, Pastoral Care Teams as well as Student Study and Positive learning projects. He also worked on the European Union Leonardo Da Vinci Project 1998 in association with the National Centre for Guidance and Counselling.
The burden of a Principal involves a daunting collection of responsibilities ranging from being available to the staff, to parents, to students, to making decisions about a wide variety of issues. As a consequence, steering a college such as St. Michael’s smoothly is no uncomplicated or enviable task. Many obstacles litter the way. But when the hand at the helm is a steady one, for obstacles read opportunities. We continue to make our mark in the sporting world and we continue to maintain, indeed improve on, our usual high standard of academic success. Mr. Kelleher has made many changes since taking over as Principal. The staff/student population continues to grow, our technology has been updated, new courses have been put in place and there are plans for further developments. AD MULTOS ANNOS.
Ms Sheila Murray deputy principal 2001 -
Ms Sheila Murray succeeded Noel Turley as Deputy Principal in August 2001.
Educated in The Holy Faith Clontarf, Sheila studied languages in UCD, qualified in Modern Languages (1972), HDE (1973), graduated in Froebel Teaching from the Froebel College, Sion Hill (1976) and has a Diploma in Educational Administration from UCD (1994).
Her teaching career began in St. Michael’s College in 1977 with French, Spanish, Latin and Irish. She taught French and Spanish to Leaving Certificate (Hons.) for over 25 years and went on to become tutor, TY coordinator/Year Head before her appointment as Deputy Principal.
Much too active and talented to be restricted to one function, Ms. Murray has been very energetically involved in a multiplicity of so called ‘extra-curricular’ activities. She has been table tennis and tennis coach, pioneered our Language Exchange programs with Madrid and Bordeaux and organised staff social events. She is very much identified with - in fact personifies - our Annual Fashion Show and it deserves to be recorded that in the 10 years since its inception, this popular and well attended function has raised over €60,000 for various charities. She also spearheads the Annual Coffee Morning – again, this is highly successful and like the Fashion show, the smoothness with which it functions belies the amount of organisation that goes on in the background. Both events must be logistical nightmares. And the story is still not complete. Sheila also arranges foreign trips for parents, staff and students. To date she has led groups to China, Malaysia, Singapore and as we write is planning a trip to Vietnam.
Considering her contribution to the College in and outside the classroom, one can see that her dedication to St. Michael’s is immense, her organisational skills enviable. In spite of all her preoccupations, the academic staff know that she is totally at their disposal at all times. Perhaps most important of all, pupils respond to her. In a College landscape, students are in many ways the ultimate criterion of a person’s worth. Without actually analysing it they instinctively appreciate her organisational ability and total commitment to their welfare. They also know intuitively that Sheila respects them and expects a lot of them. Invariably they live up to her expectations.
the college library
Books have been part of St. Michael’s since it started in 1944. The library was originally in the old building (where the Community now live), then where the downstairs study is located and finally in its current space upstairs. Books were borrowed in the early days of the school but it is only since September 2001 that the school has a fully functioning lending library with a librarian in charge. An up-to-date library software system allows students and staff to borrow books, periodicals, videos and DVSs just like in any lending library.
The school annuals, a valuable record of the history of the school, are kept in the library. The library also has some very old books e.g. one book about the Irish Dominicans which was published in 1902. However, most of the stock is of current interest. New books are bought regularly and cater for research on school subjects as well as popular authors of fiction.
The library books cater for all tastes and requirements – fiction, non-fiction, material available for all school subjects, project work, art etc. The national daily newspapers are accessible. Periodicals like the National Geographic, New Scientist and Scientific American can be consulted. Furthermore, the titles of articles in these periodicals are catalogued and can be easily sourced. Reference books include encyclopedias, dictionaries and atlases. A ranges of DVDs and videos are obtainable for the use of both students and teachers. Quite a number of these cover part of students’ syllabii in English, History etc.
There are 7 computers in the library with internet access which are in great demand. The library catalogue may be accessed from the computers. Students may also check to see what books they have on loan.
It goes without saying that our library contains all the requirements of a secondary student. It is all a school library should be, well furnished with all modern and up-to-date books, reference material, on-line computers, periodicals, DVDs and videos. What more could an academically minded young person could want?
COMPUTERZONE 06: UPGRADING AND UPDATING
It is difficult to keep pace with the momentum of modern technology, so much so that one has to run very fast even to stay in the same place. But we are determined not to be left behind in the race and equally determined that our students will have at their disposal an appropriate range of modern, state of the art equipment.
In our pursuit of the ideal, it deserves to be recorded that August 2006, saw 40 Fujitsu Siemens P2500 PC’s installed in the school, all featuring Microsoft Office Profession 2003 Software. A Brother HL 2700CNColour Laser Printer was also installed. In addition to this, the PC’s feature Electric Paper software which enables Transition Year students to train for and be examined in the European Computer Driving Licence.
The school also purchased a mobile teaching unit consisting of a Fujitsu Siemens Amilo Pro V2060 Laptop Computer and two Hitachi CPR-X61 LCD Data projectors. Seven ceiling mounted data projectors were installed in the science laboratories, art rooms and computer room throughout the school.
The PCs which had been used in previous years have been transferred to a separate computer room which has been set in order to meet the growing demand for ICT throughout the school.
ST. MICHAEL’S – SPORTSZONE
Sport is not just part of education, it is education. A sound body combined with an informed mind is an ideal to which anyone might aspire. As in the world of the Ancient Greeks, sport plays an essential role in all educational institutions. Sport is about courage, challenge, motivition, strength, determination – a whole variety of desirable qualities.
While sport and sportsmanship may be technically distinct, training in sports will lead to what was formerly known as sportsmanship or a wholesome attitude towards sports. This attitude can be well captured by the philosophy of sport developed by the founder of the modern Olympic Games, Baron de Coubertin. His thinking is applicable to sport in general and not just to the Olympic Games and it would not be out of place to dwell on this briefly.
The Official
Olympic Flag
The Olympic Motto
The Olympic Oath
The Olympic Creed
If you’re into sports, you’ve seen it happen. You’ve probably even experienced it: Football players shaking hands after a game involving serious competitive action; tennis players leaping over the net to shake hands with their opponents after a hard-fought match; soccer players exchanging jerseys after an intense 90 minutes; even boxers touching gloves at the beginning of each round, then hugging each other at the end of the contest. It seems like competitors in every event, behave this way. What’s going on?
It’s all part of sportsmanship, a great tradition in sports and competition that means playing according to the rules and handling both victory and defeat with grace, style, and dignity. Sportsmanship means playing fair, following the rules of the game, respecting the judgment of referees and officials, treating opponents with respect
Some people define good sportsmanship as the “golden rule” of sports - in other words, treating the people you play with and against as you’d like to be treated yourself. Participants demonstrate good sportsmanship when they show respect for themselves their team-mates, and their opponents, for the coaches on both sides, and for the referees, judges, and other officials.
Education has been defined as being about the self-development of the student into a balanced personality under the direction of an ideal. It aims at turning out individuals who are fully alive, alive in every sense – spiritually, intellectually, emotionally and physically.
SPORT AND ST. MICHAEL’S
We are deeply involved in sports, but we aim at all the qualities cited above in the context of sportsmanship.
St. Michael’s has many impressive sporting facilities. There is an indoor heated swimming pool, a large Sports Hall, a fitness suite, tennis courts, outdoor and indoor basketball, outdoor and indoor soccer, and some ten acres of playing fields await our students just outside their classrooms.
Our fitness suite or the sports pavilion - named after an outstanding member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Bishop Joseph Shanahan CSSp (1871-1943) - was opened on 31st March 2001. It is a most valuable asset to the life of “Campus St. Michael’s”. It has a sufficient suite of changing rooms and facilities to meet the needs of both Junior and Senior Schools. The first floor consists of a fully equipped gym and the Shanahan Meeting Room. The meeting room |
