Drimnagh Castle Secondary School
History
Drimnagh Castle Secondary School first opened its doors in 1954. For a short time after the school opened, classes took place in the castle itself, until the current buildings were completed at a cost of £84,000.
At the time of its opening, all students were taught by Christian Brothers. Corporal punishment, while legal, was used frequently and with some vigour. The school was not free of sexual abuse during the decades when it proliferated in Irish society. As the years passed the numbers of brothers teaching in the school gradually fell, and there are currently none. The majority of students come from Drimnagh Castle Primary School, but some come from other schools in the area as well as other schools in the surrounding suburbs. Dr Ray Walsh retired as principal in 2013. The current principal is John Hayes.
The school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2004. The occasion was celebrated by the addition of a new sports changing facility which was officially opened on 4 October 2004 by President Mary McAleese.
Drimnagh Castle Secondary School was identified in September 2024 in the Scoping Inquiry report into sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders. The report cited 14 allegations involving 6 alleged abusers in respect of the school.
Notable former students
- Frank Clarke, judge
- Eamonn Coghlan, senator and former athlete
- Kevin Moran, footballer
- Rick O'Shea, radio personality
- Niall Quinn, footballer and businessman
References
- ^ Moore, Kenny (April 1992). Best Efforts. Cedarwinds Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-915297-10-8.
- ^ "Drimnagh Castle crowned League champions". Echo.ie. 13 April 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ "The full list of schools and number of allegations against them in the sexual abuse scoping inquiry". thejournal.ie. 4 September 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ Carolan, Mary (8 October 2021). "Judges applaud Chief Justice Frank Clarke as he retires". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ Carolan, Mary (9 October 2021). "Retired chief justice Frank Clarke on his life in law: 'I think I found the hole that suited my peg'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
External links