St Munchin's College

St Munchin's College
Arial view of St Munchin's College School crest
Location
Corbally Road, Corbally, Limerick, Ireland, V94 HXW5
Coordinates	52°40′56″N 8°36′51″W / 52.68222°N 8.61417°W / 52.68222; -8.61417
Information
Type	Boys–only catholic secondary school
Motto	"Veritas in Caritate" (If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways)
Religious affiliation(s)	Roman Catholic
Established	29 September 1796 (1796-09-29)
Founder	Most. Rev John Young, (Bishop of Limerick)
Gender	Boys
Enrollment	657 boys (2020)[1]
Color(s)
Website	St Munchin's College

St. Munchin's College is a boys–only Roman Catholic secondary school in Limerick, Ireland. It was founded by The Most Reverend John Young, Bishop of Limerick in 1796.^[2] As of January 2020, a total of 657 boys were enrolled at St. Munchin's College.^[3]

The current principal of the school is Mr. David Quilter who is supported by 49 teachers.^[4]

In 1796, St. Munchin's College was established by The Most Reverend John Young, Bishop of Limerick who was the prominent advocate for a new school to be established in Limerick. The school formally opened on 29 September 1796 at Palmerstown within Limerick. Initially, the school curriculum consisted mainly of logic and divinity, and it was considered a prominent seminary for students wishing to study priesthood. In the years which followed, St. Munchin's College began to take the form of a Diocesan College where both laymen and prospective priests were able to pursue their studies collaboratively.^[5]

By March 1797, the school moved from Palmerstown to Newgate Lane after only being opened for six months at Palmerstown. Similarly, its tenure at Newgate Lane also proved short, as three years later the school had moved again, this time to Park House in Corbally.^[6] In 1825, the Park House facility had closed and was succeeded by the establishment of an academy on Mallow Street by former president of the school, Dr. Carey. St. Munchin’s College was re–established in 1853 by Bishop Ryan and for the first time provided subjects including music, drawing, dancing and painting.^[7]

Bishop Ryan had decided in 1871 to re–establish an educational institution which would be staffed by individuals from the Diocesan clergy, however, it would remain under the full control of the bishop. The parting of the educational institutions of the Jesuits and the Diocese was described as "fairly amicable", with the Jesuit College continuing to use the name St. Munchin’s College, while the new school adopted Diocesan Seminary of Limerick as their name. By 1793, the St. Munchin’s College was dropped in favour of Sacred Heart College, leaving the St. Munchin’s College name to be associated with the school run by the diocese. By the 1880s, both the diocese and the jesuits educational institutions had split.^[8]

The school estate received some renovation, and by 1910, a new classhall block was constructed. It became apparent by the 1940s, however, that the school was suffering as a result of inadequate space. There had been proposals for the school to expand into Henry Street, however, the restriction on space made these plans unachievable. Having explored various options to combat the lack of space, a new location for the school was sought.^[9]

Bishop Patrick O’Neill, a former pupil at the school, suggested to gift the land on which the former bishops residence was situated to the school in order for a new building to be constructed. His suggestion was later acted upon, and building commenced on the new site at Corbally.^[10]

The newly constructed St. Munchin’s College at Corbally officially opened to staff and pupils in September 1962, and was opened by President of Ireland, Eamon de Valera, who, whilst attending the opening ceremony, revealed that he had previously sat the entrance exam for the school but failed and was not granted a place. The construction of the new building cost £440,000. Since its construction and opening in 1962, the Corbally site has been refurbished and expanded several times in order to provide facilities fit for modern education. Since opening, new classhalls, a computer room, library and swimming pool have been added to the facilities available at the Corbally site.^[11]

The college crest is shield-shaped in blue and red – the college colours. Depicted on it are: a book to show that its function was to be educational, a torch to represent the devil, a cross to show that it was to be Christian and a bishop's mitre and crozier to show that it was to be diocesan. The motto chosen was "Veritas in Caritate" adapted from Bishop Anthony Wood's own episcopal motto. The text is taken from St Paul's Letter to the Ephesians: "If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ." (Eph 4:15)

Admissions for boys at St. Munchin’s College is welcomed for any boy for who the school can provide an appropriate education, with the school aiming to "provide an integrated and an inclusive education". For admissions, the schools Board of Management applies a selection criteria which considers whether a boy has completed sixth class in primary school, be willing to accept the school ethos and be willing to accept the school Code of Behaviour. Additionally, for successful admission to the school, prospective boys are required to undertake an assessment test.^[12]

In instances where the school receives a greater number of applications than places available, the school will deploy a specific set of criteria to determine which boys receive a place at the school. Such criteria would consist of boys who are nominated by the College Trustees having regard to the Ethos of the School, Sons, Grandsons and Nephews of current and former staff members who are or have been employed by the Board of Management, boys who have a brother currently attending St. Munchin’s College or have had a brother attended who has since graduated and boys whose fathers are past pupils.^[13]

In the school, there are two "cycles" in which boys attending complete – the junior cycle which lasts for three years, and the senior cycle which lasts for two years.

In the junior cycle, the curriculum offered to boys consists of the subjects of Religion, Gaeilge, English, Maths, History, Geography, Science, Business Studies, French, German, Art Technical Graphics, S.P.H.E, C.S.P.E., P.E., Computer Studies, Technology, Wellbeing, Coding and Digital Media. Within the senior cycle, curriculum subjects consist of mainly the same subjects, with the addition of Applied Maths, Economics, Guidance Counselling, Accounting, Business, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, D.C.G. and LCVP.^[14]

The school has a strong history in the sport of rugby and is considered a "nursery" for the development of new talent within the sport. The schools rugby team participates in the Junior Cup, the Bowen Shield and the Senior Cup.^[15] The schools basketball team is affiliated with Basketball Ireland which provides support in refereeing games and provides training sessions across Ireland. In 2014, the Under–16 and Under–19 basketball teams won both the All Ireland schools cup in their respective categories, and in 2016, the Under–16 team reached the All Ireland quarter final, whilst the Under–19 team reached the semi-final.^[16] Additional sports in which boys can participate in include hurling, athletics, rowing and gaelic football.^[17]

St. Munchin’s College provides a variety of artistic, cultural, social and sporting activities for boys to partake, which aims to "develop the talents of all students and to provide them with the confidence to be involved in various activities in later life". The school commits to the development of team games for all its students. Extra–curricular activities include Rugby, Hurling, Gaelic Football, Basketball, Athletics, Golf, Quizzes, Tours, Charitable Works Drama and Musical, Talent Competition, Limerick Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage, Public Speaking and Debating and various Leadership Opportunities.^[18]

• St Munchin's College – Official school website