It was about this time of year, September 1910 that construction work started on the new diocesan college, St Mary’s. Our photograph shows the blessing of the school on August 26 1912, Monsignor Fahey preaching. The first students entered two days later. There were 17 day boys paying £6 per annum and 60 boarders who paid £30 per annum.
In their first year, the school rugby team won the Connacht Schools Cup and that began a wonderful sporting tradition as they produced many Gaelic and hurling teams, a lot of inter-county players. They developed a number of pitches and built handball alleys. The school is famous for its production of many award-winning plays, i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla.
The prospectus for 1927 stated: “Conduct: first of college interest, Christian ideals, kindness and trust to honour in formation of character. Studies: staff chosen with utmost care. University graduates of highest distinction. Fully equipped libraries. Religion first subject to study. Irish freely spoken. Intermediate and Leaving Certificate, Matriculation, Entrance to Training College, Civil Service, Banks etc. Courses: Highest distinction at Public Examinations, First Place in Ireland in Latin and Greek and Junior Grade Examinations.
"Health and Comfort: Position unrivalled overlooking Galway Bay, splendid view of the Clare Mountains, close to Corrib Lake and River. Buildings, new and classic; electric lighting, baths, hot and cold, all rooms heated. Two sisters in charge, one a trained nurse. Special care of the sick and of small boys. Dietary as in one’s home. Day pupils enjoy all the educational advantages of boarders.”
In 1975, the school was closed for 20 weeks when 11 lay teachers went on strike on April 15. It was finally settled and special arrangements were made for the reopening at the beginning of the school year.
The college has continued to expand and significantly improve its facilities. In 2012, they celebrated their centenary with the important publication of St. Mary’s College, 1912-2012, A History by Peadar O’Dowd. There are no boarders there now. In recent years, the institution has become co-educational as they amalgamated with the Mercy Convent and Presentation schools to form what is now titled Coláiste Muire Máthair, a college of more than 1,000 pupils which is under the trusteeship of CEIST, the Catholic Education Irish Schools Trust and the Galway Diocese.
Today we also have a class photograph from September 1965. It was the first photograph taken of this group in the school – they went on to do their Leaving Cert in 1970. They are, front row: Ronan Waldron, PJ Brennan, Joe Kelly, John Mitchell, Oliver Walsh, Mick Garrett, Christy (Dickie ) Manning, Thomas Heavey.
Second row: Martin Naughton, Richie Donoghue, John Davoren, Martin Connolly, Michael Hughes (Longford ), Seán McGeady, Tomás Mac an Iomaire, Gerry Mulkerrins.
Third row: James Dervan, Peter Grealish, Tom Dalton, Seán Noonan, Tom Cawley, John Mahon, Liam McDermott, Mel Faherty, Michael O’Donnell.
Fourth row: Harry Treacy, Geoffrey Corbett, Pat McGuane, Anthony O’Malley, Colm Sherry, Thomas McDonagh, Terry Fahey, Jim Lynch.
Fifth row: Seamus Lydon, Seán D Keane, Michael Lee. Michael Muldoon, John Stevens, Michael Greene, Michael Hughes (Galway ), John Joe Greally, Tom Hanley, John Moran.
Sixth row: Thomas DeLappe, Gerry Fitzgerald, Paul Corcoran, Donie Campbell, Pádraic Faherty, Martin Leonard, Liam Diamond, David Conneely.
Seventh and eighth rows include: Pádraic Joyce, Michael Conneely, Seosamh Griffin, Tom Walsh, Peadar Flaherty, Gerry Collins, Michael O’Grady, Noel Forde, James Walsh, Liam King, Marco Magliocco and JJ Walsh.
This group had hoped to have a class reunion in 2020 but unfortunately, Covid put an end to that. They have had a few reunions since, and this weekend they will get together again to celebrate, reconnect and reminisce, meet the partners of their classmates and remember those who are no longer with us. They meet in Archer’s Hotel, Claregalway tomorrow at lunchtime through to the evening, and again on Saturday at Galway Golf Club at lunchtime, so enjoy!
