St. Conleth's College is a private co-educational Catholic school in Ballsbridge, Dublin, founded on 4 September 1939 by Bernard Sheppard.[1] The current principal of the senior school is Donal Ó Dúlaing.[2]
History
The school was named after Conleth, (450-519AD), a sixth-century Irish monk who was a moulder of precious metals whose feast day is 4 May. The senior school has about 300 pupils and is co-educational. It has a teaching staff of 25. The junior school has about 160 pupils and is also co-educational.[citation needed]
In November 2017, the Kevin Kelleher Wing was opened, adding a performance room and study area on top of the gymnasium.[citation needed] Kelleher (1921-2016),[3] a former international rugby referee,[4] was the headmaster of the school for over 46 years.
Academics
The school was ranked first in the Irish fee-paying schools league table in 2003.[5]
Sport
Rugby is considered the primary sport of the school, and both Junior and Senior Cup Teams are represented in the Leinster Cups. Leinster Rugby focused on rugby in St. Conleth's in 2016 to recognise its successes that year.[6]
St. Conleth's won the Basketball Ireland National Cup and League double in 2009 at the U16 Boys B level. The school has also won several South Dublin Basketball League Championships, most recently in 2013.[7]
St. Conleth's offers fencing as a school sport for both boys and girls from a young age.
The school also offers hockey, tennis and athletics.
Debating
In 2014, three Conlethians represented Ireland at the World Schools Debating Championship in Bangkok, Thailand.[8] In 2019, St. Conleth's had two winners in the grand final of the Irish Times Debate, with Kevin Roche (representing the Kings Inns) winning the individual competition and Daniel Gilligan (representing TCD Hist Society) the team competition. Another former pupil, Conor White, was a finalist who did not win.[9]
