Templeogue College History
The Spiritan archives have references to the genesis of an educational establishment for the Templeogue area. A letter dated 17th May 1955 from the Provincial, Fr. Pat O’Carroll C.S.Sp to Archbishop McQuaid refers to a conversation that occurred between them about the possible provision of a College in the Walkinstown area.
The idea lay dormant until 1962 when the Archbishop wrote to the Provincial, Fr. O’Driscoll formally requesting the Province to establish a new secondary school for boys on Kimmage Manor lands. The area had been a largely rural one but the construction of new housing developments south of Templeville Road and extending to Templeogue Bridge meant that additional educational facilities were a necessity.
In September 1966, Templeogue College, a Catholic secondary school, opened its doors for the education of boys living in Templeogue and surrounding areas. Fr. John Horgan was the first principal and led the team of three staff, the others being Fr. Noel O’Meara and Mr. John McCormack. 42 students were enrolled,
Fr. Michael McCarthy was appointed Principal in 1971 and set up the school band. He asked Fr. O’Meara to explore how best to establish it and he engaged the services of Col. Jim Doherty from the Army Band who was living nearby.
The campus in the early years comprised of three buildings - the school, the priests’ residence and a gymnasium. The swimming pool development occurred a couple years later. The College embraced the “Free Education Scheme” in the academic year beginning 1967. In that year, there were 180 boys in Year 1, who were timetabled for 6 classes.
The following Spiritan Confères were appointed to the College between 1967 and 1973: Ronnie Grimshaw, Myles Healy, James Macken, Frank Molloy, P.J. Henehan, John Flavin, James Browne, J.C. O’Connor, Frank Martin, Willie Walsh, Vincent Montes, Joseph Murphy, Tom Byrne, John Byrne. Teacher appointments included: Michael Turner, Gerry Hogan, Larry Dempsey, Walter Rockett, Bernard McCarthy, Peter Weafer, John Murphy, Aidan Gallagher, Ray Kennedy, Niall O’Boyle, Maurice Phelan, John O’Sullivan, Myles Kelleher, Kevin O’Brien and Colm Leahy.
Mr. Michael Turner became Principal in 1977, a position he held for 10 years. Fr. Frank Molloy was appointed Vice-Principal. Mr. Ray Kennedy assumed the principal mantle in 1987 and Fr. Noel Redmond was appointed Vice- Principal in 1990. During Ray’s 12 year tenure a shift in management structures occurred when the first Board of Management was established with Fr. Ronnie Grimshaw as Chairperson. This body would lead and manage the College’s teaching and learning programme and essentially govern the entire campus.
An Oratory, A-V room and two classrooms had been erected in the 1970s adjacent to the senior corridor. In the 1997-98 academic year, a second extension was completed to the north of the administration block. The decision to extend arose after management chose to adopt the Transition Year programme and thus Templeogue College became a 6 year cycle school. This enabled it to accommodate additional students and complement its curriculum with new classrooms, a science laboratory, an art room, an assembly area and offices. Some years later a canteen for students and staff was established within this complex.
Extra and co-curricular activities featured strongly with the recognition of team sports as central to personal development. Management and staff recognised that education for its students was a gateway to personal and social development, to prepare them for meaningful work and enable them to become good citizens. It served to develop the whole person, to value truth, honesty, integrity and appreciate the value of life-long learning.
Significant investment of time and energy has been afforded to rugby and other sports by team coaches over the years. In terms of commitment under gamesmasters Mick Glynn, Fr. Noel Redmond, John Keville and Paul Dunne, teachers have offered considerable time and energy to train and prepare teams for games and competitions.
The list of volunteers is extensive and to name them would mean that a number would inevitably be omitted. Rugby has enjoyed success in terms of engagement by many students. While success at competitive level has not always been achieved, the game has taught many life skills to those who participated: resilience, tolerance, discipline, team-work, social integration not to mention friendships that have been forged. Malcolm O’Kelly, Irish Rugby International is a past pupil and he proudly wore his Templeogue socks on the three occasions he played for Barbarians.
Templeogue College has achieved many successes in all sports over the years. Basketball had begun in the early years under the directions of Fr. Joe Murphy and Colm Leahy and teams enjoyed national success at all levels. The game continued to flourish under the direction of Eddie Guilmartin, Paul Dunne and Philip Rigney and teams have won All-Ireland competitions.
Mr. John Murphy became principal in 1999 with Mr. Kevin O'Brien given the role as deputy in 2000. 4 years later Mr. Kevin O’Brien assumed the title of principal.