Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar

Coordinates: 53°31′34″N 7°20′48″W / 53.526°N 7.3467°W / 53.526; -7.3467

Saint Mary's College Coláiste Mhuire
The Hevey Institute, September 2015 Foghlaim, Fás, Foirfíu Learn, grow and refine
Location
Mullingar, County Westmeath, N91 AT04 Republic of Ireland
Coordinates	53°31′36.682″N 7°20′48.368″W / 53.52685611°N 7.34676889°W / 53.52685611; -7.34676889
Information
School type	Voluntary secondary school
Religious affiliation(s)	Roman Catholic
Opened	October 22, 1856 (1856-10-22)
Founder	The Christian Brothers
Principal	Malachy Flanagan
Deputy Principal	Keith Quinn
Teaching staff	50
Gender	Male (Leaving certificate repeat is co-educational)
Age range	13–19
Enrollment	720 (2016)
Average class size	30
Language	English
Classrooms	55
Houses	5
Colour(s)
Nickname	C.B.S
Team name	Saint Mary's CBS
Alumni	Niall Horan, Willie Penrose, Niall Breslin, John Joe Nevin, Jordan Stead, Peter Morrissey, Damien Cronin, The Revolvers
Website	cbsmullingar.ie
Last updated: December 2, 2016 (2016-12-02)

Saint Mary's College (Irish: Coláiste Mhuire) is a voluntary secondary school located in Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland. As the town's oldest post-primary school, it officially opened its doors to students on October 22, 1856 (1856-10-22). It is based partly in the Hevey Institute and elsewhere in extensions. The school is a member of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust. It is primarily a boys' school, and has been since the day it opened, however, the repeat Leaving Certificate class is co-educational.

History

The foundation of the school in 1856 was largely due to the philanthropy of a local retired brewer and landowner, James Hevey. Hevey’s last will and testament of 1835 contained the following bequest: “all my right and interest in the town and in the lands of Bryanstown for the support, maintenance, and education of poor children of the parish of Mullingar”. A site for the school was obtained from Lord Granard at an annual rent of £15.^[1] Within 20 years, during which time the area was devastated by the famine, the Hevey Institute had been built and it opened its doors on October 22, 1856.^[2] In 1959, a new primary school was opened on the grounds, while in 1972 a secondary school was built at a cost of £124,060 which included more classrooms and this was extended in 2003 at a cost of €3 million, which included a state of the art technology room which opened in February 2005. On 16 November 2012, the official opening of the restored Hevey Institute was held by members of the Hevey Trust which was set up after the death of James Hevey in 1837 to ensure that the benefactor’s purpose was fulfilled.

School committees

The parent's council is a committee set up by the parents of students in the school, and other volunteers. The council debates on issues relevant to the ongoing development of the school, and on issues affecting students and school life. The student's council is a committee set up by students in the school. An election takes place each year, around the end of October. The student's council asks students on changes that they'd like to see changed to the school such as variations of food offered by the canteen and outdoor seating; giving students a voice to cast their opinion.

Clubs and Societies

GAA are the most prevalent sports played in Coláiste Mhuire with huge success in all fields, including hurling, Gaelic football and handball. Other clubs and societies include chess, badminton, golf, music, quiz club and drama. Most recently, the Transition Year students have put on their own show of Grease alongside the students of Loreto College, Mullingar.

Enrollment

The school was originally a boys only school since it was established. However, this changed in 1993 when Leaving Certificate repeats became co-educational. Transition Year is offered in the school and is optional.

References