Clonkeen College


Clonkeen College is a Christian Brothers secondary school for boys in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, South County Dublin.
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History

The Ordnance Survey Ireland map 1837–1842 shows Clonkeen School Ho, located in the present day Cornelscourt Village. Although the same building appears on the OSI 1888–1913 map, it is not named as a school any more.
The original junior school was St. Joseph's Private Preparatory School, built in September 1965 close to where the present Clonkeen College stands. It was run by a staff of three Christian Brothers until the school was closed in 1975. The secondary school was also called St. Joseph's, until renamed Clonkeen College.
The present school stands on the site of Charles Stewart Parnell’s second last public meeting. The first pupils to the current school were admitted in the autumn of 1970, there was one fifth-year class and two third-year classes. Thirteen students completed the first Leaving Certificate. The school principal was Br. Jo Hogan; other original teachers were Br. Collins and Mr. B. Toomey. The school was officially opened by David Andrews TD on 31 January 1972.
In 2019, Clonkeen College underwent substantial renovations, adding facilities including a gym, sports hall and new science classrooms.

Facilities

  • One indoor basketball court
  • Four science labs
  • A General Purpose hall
  • A sports hall
  • A functioning gym
  • An art room
  • 2 computer rooms
  • Special needs unit
  • A library
  • A common room for sixth year students

Subjects offered

Junior cycle subjects

Senior cycle subjects

Transition year (TY)

The year's main outing is a tour organised by the TY coordinator. Classes have visited the Aran Islands, and have gone skiing in Italy. A number of city trips to cities such as Paris, Munich and Venice have also occurred.
During the year, the students have the opportunity to do courses such as: Self-defense, ECDL, Gaelic football, FAI coaching, and Sailing. New subjects in the transition year are cooking, music, effective communication, Spanish and technical drawing. The students have an opportunity to attain a Gaisce\Presidents Award.
Students visit educational and historical sites like Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, Croke Park, Kilmainham Gaol and the National Art Gallery.

Clonkeen Student Council

Students have input into the schools running in the form of a Student Council of class representatives from all years, who are elected by their peers.
Since its inception, the Clonkeen College Student Council has shown a large involvement in the running of the school. The council meets weekly to discuss projects or issues. The council is composed of twenty four representatives. Representatives carry out a variety of tasks and act as the link between the students and the management of the school.
The council focuses on projects in the school. In the past, they have had water fountains installed; they have also had formal shoes and school jackets introduced to the uniform. Council meetings are chaired by the chairman, and the Secretary takes minutes.
Students also elect a head boy and deputy head boy each year. These roles are filled by 5th-year students, who are elected by the entire student body, parent teachers' association and teachers.

Social events

Annually, the school hosts a "Clongitude" music competition in which students perform to win prizes.
Each year in May, a graduation mass and ceremony are held, to celebrate the outgoing 6th-year students.
Every September, past pupils and friends of the school are invited to a "Golf Day".

Sports

Inter-school sports

  • Athletics
The school participates in east Leinster athletics competitions.
  • Cross country running
Clonkeen enters runners in the under-15 and under-17 east Leinster cross country running competitions.
  • Gaelic football
The school enters gaelic football teams into 1st year, under-14, under-16 and under-18 competitions. They have won three Dublin titles in 1975, 1976 and 2003, the under14 team also came runner up in the Leinster championship of 2003.
  • Golf
1st, 2nd and 3rd year students take part in the Dublin junior match play golf competition.
  • Hurling
The hurlers play in 1st year, under-14, under-16 and under-18 hurling competitions.
  • Soccer
The school has soccer teams entered into competitions at under-14, under-16 and under-18 level. Leinster Junior Champions, runner up to All-Ireland in 1981–1982
The first Clonkeen College chess team was formed in 2007 and took part in the Scholastic Chess All-Ireland.
In 2006, Clonkeen hosted Southern Cross college, and the two schools competed in a friendly international rules football match, which Clonkeen won.

Club sports

Extracurricular activities

  • Debating
The Clonkeen Debating society is an active, student run club within the school, that has participated in a number of debates for both junior and senior debaters.
  • Drama
Clonkeen has long had the tradition of performing annual drama and musical productions, including Footloose (musical) in 2012 and Disco Inferno (musical) in 2013. Various plays and musicals are performed by Transition Year students annually.
  • Other activities
The school has an annual sports day open to entry from all the students.

Notable alumni