Garbally College
St. Joseph's College, Garbally Park | |
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Location | |
Ballinasloe, County Galway Republic of Ireland | |
Information | |
Motto |
Latin: Fide et Fortitudine (Faith and Courage) |
Religious affiliation(s) | Roman Catholic |
Patron saint(s) | St. Joseph |
Established | 1892 |
Founders | The Most Rev. John Healy and Mgr. James Madden |
President | V. Rev. Colm Allman |
Principal | Stephen Reilly |
Patron | The Most Rev. John Kirby |
Chaplain | Rev. Iomar Daniels |
Number of students | 534 (2016/2017) |
Colour(s) | Blue and white |
Publication | The Fountain |
Website | www.garbally.ie |
St. Joseph's College, Garbally Park (Irish Coláiste Sheosaimh Naofa) is an Irish voluntary Catholic secondary school situated in Garbally Park, the former seat of the Earl of Clancarty, near Ballinasloe in County Galway. It is a single-sex boys day school which has previously served as a boarding school. It is more commonly known as Garbally College (Irish Coláiste Ghearrbhaile).
History
St Joseph's College was founded as a Roman Catholic seminary in 1892 to help educate priests for the Diocese of Clonfert, which owns it. It is managed by John Kirby, Bishop of Clonfert, and four other governors. It is staffed by a priest of the diocese and lay teachers.
The college was established at Cartron with funds provided by James Madden. Due to expansion the college was changed to Esker, near Athenry in 1894. In 1901, it moved to the building known locally as "The Pines", at Creagh, Ballinasloe. In 1923, it moved to its present site at Garbally, once seat of the Earls of Clancarty. The Diocese purchased Garbally Court (built in 1819) and estate from the trustees of the Earls of Clancarty for £6,750 in 1922.
In the 1940s, 50s and 60s two other members of the same Madden family, brothers John Madden of Killimor and George Madden of London bestowed many gifts on Garbally, including the funds to build the present science halls, study hall, extra classrooms and dining hall.
Curriculum
The school offers both the Junior and Leaving Certificate cycles and was one of the first schools to implement a Transition Year programme when it was introduced in 1973. Garbally offers all the mandatory subjects, along with woodwork, metalwork, design & communication, music, food appreciation and a new gym facility.
Sport
Garbally College is well known for its sporting tradition in Rugby Union, Hurling and Gaelic football. The college has many Connacht Schools Senior Cups and Connacht Schools Junior Cups and has produced a number of Irish Rugby Internationals. Garbally have won the Senior Cup 46 times, most recently in 2018. Garbally have won the Junior Cup 42 times, most recently in 2017
The last team which included borders to win the Cup was in 2007.
Notable alumni
Academia
- Patrick Gullane, Professor and Chair, Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto
- Philip Pettit, William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Politics at Princeton University
Arts and Media
- Desmond Hogan, novelist
- Seán Moncrieff, media broadcaster/presenter
- Eoghan Ó Tuairisc, writer, poet, dramatist
- Tommy Tiernan, comedian, actor and writer
Business
- Ulick McEvaddy, businessman
Politics
- Patrick Beegan, former Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála
- Seán Calleary, former Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála
- Patrick Connolly, former Attorney General of Ireland.
- Eamon Gilmore, Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the ex Leader of the Labour Party
- Brendan Glynn, former Fine Gael Teachta Dála
- Brian Hayes, Fine Gael Teachta Dála for Dublin South-West
- Patrick Hogan, first Minister for Agriculture
- Seán Kenny, Labour Party Teachta Dála
- Tony Kett, former Fianna Fáil member of Seanad Éireann
- Gerry Reynolds, former Fine Gael Teachta Dála for Sligo–Leitrim
- Noel Treacy, former Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Galway East
Religious
- Patrick Joseph Kelly, former Bishop of Benin City
- John Kirby, Catholic Bishop of Clonfert
Sports
- Michael Duignan, All-Ireland winning former Offaly hurler, RTÉ Gaelic games commentator.
- Ciaran Fitzgerald, former Irish rugby international
- Noel Mannion, rugby player
- Ray McLoughlin, former Irish rugby international and chairman and chief executive of The Crean Group
- Johnny O'Connor, Irish rugby international
- Tiernan O'Halloran, Irish rugby international
- Willie Ruane, rugby player, CEO of Connacht Rugby