St Muredach's College Explained

St Muredach's College
Seal Image:St_Muredachs_College_Crest.jpg
Seal Alt:St. Muredach's College Crest
Streetaddress:Sligo Road
City:Ballina
County:County Mayo
Country:Ireland
Schoolnumber:64510J
Principal Label:Principal (acting)
Principal:Matthew Coldrick[1]
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Founder:Bishop of Killala
Classes Offered:First Year to Leaving Certificate
Gender:Male
Motto:Viriliter Agite ('Act in a manly way')
Patron:St. Muredach
Nickname:Muredach's
School Colours:White and red
Founded:10 September 1906
Enrolment:378[2]
Enrollment As Of:2023

St Muredach's College is an all-boys secondary school on the banks of the River Moy in Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland. It was founded in 1906 to provide a Catholic education for boys in the Killala Diocese. The school building, which was designed by William Henry Byrne, is included on the Record of Protected Structures maintained by Mayo County Council.[3]

History

In 1901, the then Bishop of Killala proposed that a new school be opened as there was otherwise no secondary school between Belmullet and Sligo. St Muredach's opened in September 1906. The original school building, which was designed by W.H. Byrne,[4] was built on a site overlooking the River Moy.[5] Originally housing 76 boarding students, a new extension was opened in 1937.[6]

Fr. Cyril Haran taught at the school in the mid-20th century.[7]

In 1967, the school's enrolment increased due to the coming of free education nationally.[6] Around the same time, additional subjects were offered, including mechanical drawing, woodwork and art.[6] Extra classrooms were required, and a further extension was added in the late 1960s. A physical education hall was added in the 1970s.[6] By the late 1980s, boarding was phased out, and a new building (incorporating a woodwork room, art room and classrooms) came into use in 1990.[6] A computer room, library and canteen were added in the late 1990s and early 2000s.[6]

The schools' first lay principal was appointed in 2008.[8]

Teachers

Alumni

Notes and References

  1. Web site: School Enrolment 2023/2024 . stmuredachscollege.ie . 2 January 2022 .
  2. Web site: St Muredachs College . gov.ie . Department of Education . 20 July 2023 . 1 August 2023 .
  3. Ballina Town and Environs Development Plan, 2009-2015 . mayo.ie . Mayo County Council . May 2009 . 31 December 2022 . Appendix B Record of Protected Structures . 140 .
  4. Web site: Co. Mayo, Ballina, St Muiredach's Seminary . Dictionary of Irish Architects . Irish Architectural Archive . 31 December 2022 . Byrne, William Henry [..] New College. 2-gabled Façade With Smaller Gable Over Door [..] Contractors: McKee & McNally, Cookstown.
  5. Web site: Saint Muredach's Catholic College, Howley Street, Abbeyhalfquarter, Ballina Originally Ardnaree, Mayo . National Inventory of Architectural Heritage . buildingsofireland.ie . 31 December 2022 .
  6. Web site: St Muredach's College - School History . stmuredachscollege.ie . 31 December 2022 .
  7. News: Fr Cyril Haran played huge role in Sligo GAA circles . . 1 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200216190630/https://www.pressreader.com/ireland/the-sligo-champion/20140701/281573763789187. 16 February 2020 . pressreader.com .
  8. Web site: First lay principal for Muredach's . mayonews.ie . 30 December 2008 . 31 December 2022 .