Kilkenny College
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Kilkenny College or KCK is a co-educational secondary school located in Kilkenny, in the South-East of Ireland. It is a private (fee-paying) school which caters for both boarders and day students. It is the largest co-educational boarding school in Ireland. The school's students are mainly Protestant (Church of Ireland), although it is open to other denominations.[1]
The College motto, Comme je trouve which in French means (as I find), comes from the Butler family crest, an old aristocratic family and is intended to mean people taking things as they come and trying to make the best of things given to them.
Founded in 1538 A.D to replace the School of the Vicars Choral, which was founded in 1234 A.D. Piers Butler the Earl of Ormond located it in the city centre. It was moved to its current location on the outskirts of Kilkenny city, in 1989.
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[edit] History
Kilkenny College provides schooling mainly for the protestant sector of the community but is also open to other denominations. It caters for both a boarders and day-pupil. Founded in 1538 A.D by Piers Butler, Earl of Ormonde and his wife, Margaret, Kilkenny Grammar School as was then called was located to the west of the Cathedral and sited beside the library of St Canice's Cathedral. The 1538 school replaced the older School of the Vicars Choral, which was founded in 1234 A.D. It was closed for a period in the 1650s (because of the English civil war that spilled over into Ireland), reopening as Kilkenny College in 1667 under the auspices of James Ormonde, first Duke of Ormonde, following the Butler tradition of promoting education in the city. It soon became a famous school and so, in the 1780s, a new College was built on the same site overlooking the river Nore on John St. In 1989 the college was relocated to the 63-acre (250,000 m2) site at Celbridge House on the outskirts of the city, while the old school with its Georgian buildings and elegant facade, now houses the offices of the County Council within Kilkenny city centre.
At one time the College was termed a university and boasted a compliment of 3 professors. In contrast at the end of the 19th Century, the College was reduced to one pupil. The amalgamation with the nearby Pococke school was its saving. Twenty-nine headmasters of Kilkenny College are recorded. In the 20th Century there were four long-serving men: C.G. Shankey 1917 - 1952; Gilbert Colton 1953-1979; Samuel McClure 1979-1996; Robert John Black 1996-2005.
During Gilbert Colton's time the school was amalgamated with the Collegiate School, Celbridge in 1973 and Kilkenny College became co-educational. During Sam McClure's stewardship, the College moved to its new campus in 1989, relocating to the 63 acre (254,952m2) site at Celbridge House on the outskirts of the city. Under Canon Black and Philip Gray, more buildings were constructed.
[edit] Famous pupils
There has been a long list of famous past pupils. The best known are undoubtedly Jonathan Swift, the author and satirist who went on to become Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral, and George Berkeley, the philosopher and Bishop of Cloyne, who gave his name to the University City of Berkeley in California. Other famous names include William Congreve (a Restoration playwright), John Banim, Thomas Prior (founder of the Royal Dublin Society), Saoirse Ronan (young irish actress) and Sir David Beatty one time First Sea Lord and deputy-commander of the Royal Navy at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. Kilkenny College was also the school that the legend Freddie Greenall studied at he has won two nobel prizes for brain science and since his passing in 1987 the school have erected the Greenall Block a whole new block of classrooms, this block contains a state of Freddie Greenall in the courtyard
[edit] Today
The current campus on the outskirts of the city comprises a complex of classrooms, dormitories, catering and dining facilities, it is set on a landscaped 50-acre (200,000 m2) site framed by mature trees. Today Kilkenny College attempts to serve a dual purpose role as the largest co-educational boarding school in Ireland and as the local school for a large number of day pupils from the city and surrounding area.
The acting principal is Audrey O'Keefe who is standing in after Philip Gray's accident
It is one of 5 Irish Schools in the country taking part in a pilot project on self-assessment and interchange in conjunction with 100 other European schools. The ethos of the school is one of a family community and a big emphasis is placed on team sport in particular rugby and hockey.
Recently due to a tragic bicycle riding accident,the principlal (Philip Gray) has had to take leave from his position as principal. Since this accident in June 2008, Mr.Aubrey O'Keefe, the deputy head, has been fulfilling Mr.Gray's duties as Headmaster, until a suitable replacement is found. Philip Gray continues to make a difficult recovery, but is said to be making excellent progress, and continues to take an active interest in the well-being of his pupils.
[edit] Recent news
- The Senior XV rugby team make it to the semi-final of the Leinster Rugby Senior Cup, losing to St. Michael's in the semi-final, having beaten the reigning champions Blackrock College 14-13.
- 2007 U-13 Boys Hockey team won the Leinster Cup, beating St.Andrew's.
- September 2007, the newly built Jonathan Swift building is opened, which includes 11 class rooms and 2 science labs.
- March 2009, the Senior XV rugby team win the Vinnie Murray Schools Cup, beating Wesley College 26-17 in the final.
[edit] Alumni
- Jonathan Swift 17th century author and satirist.
- George Berkeley after whom the University of California, Berkeley is named.
- David Beatty, Admiral of the Fleet at the Battle of Jutland 1917
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Kilkenny College - Official website
