History
St Mary's College was founded in 1861 and has had a long history in the town of Dundalk. It was the first foundation of the Marist Fathers in Ireland. It was originally a Boarding and Day school for boys, with a Primary School. The Boarding Section of the School was closed in 1983 and this was followed in 1987 by the closure of the Primary School. In 1990 the first lay Principal was appointed and the College opened its doors to girls.
We nearly never made it!!
Father John Crouzet purchased 'Church Hill House' from local corn miller Billy Coleman for the princely sum of £2000. Work began immediately to restore the old mansion to a satisfactory state fit for educational purposes. However as Father Crouzet recalled in his memoirs building work nearly stopped as soon as it commenced. He was forced to confide to Dean Kieran P.P. (later to become Archbishop of Armagh) that funds were running short:
"It was breakfast time. The Dean said nothing but after it he remarked: 'Let us go for a walk'. From the house we crossed the street to the National Bank.
He entered and said to the manager, ' Am I worth £100 ?'
'Certainly, and more,' was the reply. 'Very well,' said Dean Kieran, 'pay
£100 to this gentleman whenever he needs it.'
The school was ready three months later!!
College Log 1961-2000
The 1960's
1961
Death of Fr. Tom Smyth, S.M.
1964
Purchase of the Gospel Hall
1965
Fr. Jim Kearney, S.M. appointed Superior
1966
Death of Fr. Martin Bambrick, S.M.
1967
Fr. Kevin Cooney, S.M. ordained to the priesthood
1969
Death of Fr. Andrew Cusack, S.M.
The 1970's
1971
Fr. Jim Carr, S.M. appointed Superior
1972
Jim Flanaghan retired from full-time teaching after 39 years of service. He remained on the part-time staff until 1979.
Death of Fr. Edward O'Haire, S.M.
1973
Gerry Aherne retired from full-time teaching after 31 years of service. He remained on the part-time staff until 1983.
Fr. Frank Hennigan, S.M. appointed Superior.
1975
Michael Hanaway retired from full-time teaching after 40 years of service. He remained on the part-time staff until 1980.
Completion of new Physics and Chemistry Laboratories.
1977
Death of Fr. Jack Roe, S.M.
Junior Dormitory converted into classrooms
1979
Death of Fr. Hugh Sweeney, S.M.
Fr. Eoin O'Cleirigh, S.M. appointed superior.
Fr. Tom Dooley appointed Headmaster of the College.
The 1980's
1980
Death of Jim Flanaghan
Nicolas St. side of Senior Dormitory converted into Lay Staff room.
The "University" is converted into an Art Room.
Death of Fr. Kevin McGeough, S.M.
1982
The Lay staff room enlarged and the remaining section of the Senoir Dormitory converted into classrooms.
Death of Fr. Eugene Quigley, S.M.
1983
Boarding section of the College is closed after 120 years.
1984
Vocational Preparation Course started at the College. It lasted until 1988.
1985
Fr. John Mulligan, S.M. appointed Superior
The old corrugated College shed replaced by a new one.
Gospel Hall Renovated
Golden Jubilee of the Church
1986
125th Anniversary Celebrations of the opening of the College
Death of Fr. Patrick Byrne, S.M.
New Biology Laboratory built.
College grounds tarmaced & Junior Handball Alleys resurfaced
1987
Fr. Jim Heaver, S.M. appointed Headmaster
Closure of Junior (Primary) School
1988
Fr. David Corrigan, S.M. (Staff member) ordained.
Conversion of Boy's Refectory into new College Library
1989
Cecil Hughes, first Lay-Principal, appointed Headmaster
Death of Michael Hanaway
The 1990's
1990
Girls enrolled into First Year. The College is now co-educational
First Board of Management established
Death of Gerry Aherne
1992
Conversion of 'Boot Room' into Reception Room for parents
1994
New Pre-fabs erected
1995
Gospel Hall converted into Home Economics Room
1996
New Art Room built
Death of Fr. Aloysius McOscar, S.M.
Death of Fr. Eoin O'Cleirigh, S.M.
1997
Staff: 37 (2 Marist Priests, 35 Lay Teachers - 25 male, 10 female)
Chairperson of the Board of Management: Fr. John Harrington, S.M.
Principal: Mr. Cecil Hughes
Vice-Principal: Mr. Gerry Hearty
1998/99
Mr. Cecil Hughes, Principal, retires
Mr. Con McGinley appointed new Principal
Transition Year starts Sept 99.
Number of Pupils: approx. 690 (420 boys, 270 girls)
2000
Mr. Pat McLaughlin retires, June 2000
Fr. John Mulligan, the last Marist father on the staff, retires, June 2000
Number of Pupils: 722
Number of Staff: 44
2001 Celebration of the 140th Anniversary
November Visit of President Mary McAleese, Past Pupils Dance
2002 Visit of ArchBishop Sean Brady
2002/3/4 Library converted back to its original use as the Boys Ref. Now called the GP (General Purpose) Room
2003 Establishment of the Marist Education Authority
2004/5 Visit of Mr Dermot Ahern, TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs
2005 Mr Dermot Jennings retires June 2005 after 28 years
2005 Death of Mr Dermot Jennings, October 2005
2005 Boys Toilets refurbished
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