St Malachy's College Prospectus

Act of 1879) and as many as 35 began a university course in 1886. During that year there were 215 boys on the roll and 69 of these were boarders. When Dr Henry was appointed Bishop of Down and Connor in 1895 the debt remaining from the building work was finally cleared. This was partly as a result of the sale of the upper half of Vicinage estate along Clifton Park Avenue to the Jail authority. A succession of scholarly and inspiring priests guided the College into the 20th century. Dr Henry was succeeded by three Presidents who held office for a short duration Fr Henry Boyle, Dr Henry Laverty and Canon Patrick Boyle. P.J O’Neill (1907-18) and James Clenaghan (1918-24) faced troubled years and a background of conflict both at home and abroad and yet St. Malachy’s maintained its position at the forefront of Irish education. Fr O’Neill was a notable Classical scholar and a keen gardener. Flower beds and walkways lined with shrubs brightened the school campus during his tenure. Just fewer than 250 boys were on the roll. It was a painful experience for the College staff to hear of former students who perished in the awful carnage of the Western Front and in the revolutionary warfare in Ireland. The revival of nationalist fervour left its mark on the College. During Fr James Clenaghan’s time there was a noticeable emphasis on Gaelic games and the Irish language as a branch of the Gaelic League was started. The early 1920s were dangerous times for Catholics as the city of Belfast was once again convulsed by

O’LAVERTY’S LIBRARY – A HERITAGE PRESERVED

Originally opened in 1872, the O’Laverty Library houses important book collections, some donated by the founders of St. Malachy’s College. It contains almost 6,000 printed works, a small number from as far back as the 16th century comprising a range of subjects including Irish History, Theology, Philosophy, Mathematics, Science and Classics. The library also contains a unique set of Gaelic manuscripts and the archives of the College. This large book-lined room is also known as the Diocesan Library. It was a central feature of the 1860s building, on the first floor over-looking the quad and yet is largely unknown to generations of College boys. The room has been used as a conference room for Gaelic League members in the early 20th century and as a staff room until 1962. Now, after almost 150 years, the College’s Old Library has been completely refurbished as part of a complete re-structuring of the 1860s building. A corridor with adjoining small rooms, essentially the living quarters for priests on the teaching staff until the 1980s, was demolished. The Heritage Lottery Fund provided a development grant with additional funding from the Diocese. This little-known and neglected library has been opened up for scholars, researchers, our students and the wider College community. A staged programme

of cleaning and conservation of damaged volumes is nearing completion and the production of a catalogue has begun. Beautiful Irish manuscripts, folio-size Bibles, psalters and other important works will soon be available for all to enjoy. The Library is now part of a ‘heritage hub’ incorporating the Dorrian Reading Room and a display unit with interpretative panels. This helps us to tell the stories associated with the library contents and the rich heritage of St. Malachy’s from the influential McCabe family to the achievements of distinguished past students. One panel tells the story of Eoin MacNéill, the Gaelic scholar and statesman who attended St. Malachy’s in the 1880s. To mark the 150th anniversary of his birth, the College, with the help of Conradh na Gaeilge and the Ulster History Circle, erected a blue plaque to his memory. The unveiling ceremony was performed by his grandson, former Tánaiste Senator Michael McDowell in April 2017. We now have a vibrant and engaging learning space in which the illustrious legacy of St. Malachy’s College can be viewed and provide inspiration for present and future generations of students. ‘A library of wisdom is more precious than all wealth’ Plato

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Gloria Ab Intus Glory from Within

Gloria Ab Intus Glory from Within

violence and civil disturbances. Fr. John McCaughan’s years (1924-1931) as President saw the launch of The Collegian magazine (1925) and the formation of the Old Boys’ Association (1926). His interests in music and competitive sport encouraged a surge in extra-curricular activity. A victorious Gaelic Football team secured the prestigious MacRory Cup for the first time in 1929. Swimming, water polo and tennis competitions were entered for the first time. Faith, as ever, took centre stage. During the 1920s and 30s the College made immense contribution not just to the Diocesan priesthood but the great missionary orders and congregations working in China, Africa and the Philippines. Malachians also became distinguished leaders in the legal and

medical professions, journalism, politics and education in Ireland and abroad. When Dr Hendley organised the centenary celebrations in 1933 some of Ireland’s leading men were in attendance including former student, Eoin MacNeill, founder of the Gaelic League and one of the architects of the Irish Free State. To mark the centenary of the College a High Mass was celebrated with Cardinal MacRory and several Bishops presiding. A very special gift was presented by priests who had been students and teachers. The renowned ‘Harry Clarke’ stained glass windows, painted by Richard King were installed in the Chapel. The legendary ‘Barney’ Gillespie began a well-earned retirement in 1935 having taught for an astonishing fifty years in the College. By the time Fr ‘Jakie’ McMullan took charge in 1939 a new central heating system had been installed and a modern gymnasium completed. Hitler’s invasion of Poland in September probably seemed a dim and distant issue as the daily round of classes, study sport and prayer continued. But on the fateful Tuesday night of Easter week in April 1941 the College found itself at the centre of the first devastating blitz when the lower Antrim Road and Crumlin Road areas were bombed with great loss of life. An incendiary bomb ‘bounced’ off the Junior dormitory roof onto the avenue and another on the Chapel roof was dislodged by clerical students. Lincoln Avenue and Denmark street had shattered dwellings, craters and burn marks in the road. For a few

weeks the College gym served as an ARP billet. After the war it was clear that accommodation would have to be increased. The Education Act of 1947 changed the nature of the College as numbers increased to almost 800. Some priests left to establish a new school at Garron Tower on the north Antrim coast in 1950. During Fr Patrick Kerr’s time music and drama increased in importance with annual concerts and plays. A boxing club was formed and the College excelled at basketball and Gaelic football. A major building programme began and by 1962 the new College Hall and the D block classrooms were finished as the ‘Wee Field’ disappeared under concrete and tarmac. Canon Larkin had succeeded as President in 1960. Within a few years the student population rose to over 1100 taught by a staff of 60 teachers. One of the sporting highlights of Canon Larkin’s time was the ‘recapture’ of the MacRory Cup by the Gaelic footballers. The modernising influence of Fr Patrick Walsh saw a reorganisation

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