College President

I am delighted to welcome you to the website for St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny.

St Kieran’s College, which is a Diocesan College under the patronage of the Bishop of Ossory, was founded in 1782. In fact records show that on the 12th October, 1782 a lease was signed for an old house in Kilkenny making St Kieran’s the oldest Catholic College in the country and ‘the first Catholic College in the Kingdom’. Something that was possible because Grattan’s Parliament had relaxed it’s penal laws that same year.

Throughout it’s history the College was situated in a number of different locations throughout, but always at the heart of, the city. The foundation stone for the College’s current neo-gothic home was laid and blessed in 1836. Two years later the College found here a permanent home. Since then, to accommodate its ever growing work of education, many extensions have been added making the building of St Kieran’s College a fine blend of historical and modern styles.

When St Kieran’s opened its door to students long thirsting for learning, its aims were simple: the education and formation of each student, both clerical and lay, to the highest standards, based on the values of the gospel. The College today remains a vibrant place of learning and formation.  It is one of the largest secondary schools for boys (over 720 students) in the Diocese and country.

It would be easy in a place steeped in such a proud history and great tradition to spend our time looking back.  We could for example look to the fact that the seminary suspended its work here in 1994 or to the fact that the boarding school was closed to students in 2006 after 222 years.  However, these are but dates of changes in the College’s every growing and developing history. St Kieran’s has through these, and other changes, always remained faithful to its mission and ethos. So many men who studied here on the seminary and lay side proudly carry that history and tradition with them in positions of leadership in every walk of life in our country and far beyond.  Of this, and these men, we are immensely proud!

The College also now houses The Kilkenny Research and Innovation Centre for teams from Telecommunication Software and Systems group in Waterford Institute of Technology and the Carlow Institute of Technology. This Centre builds on the ground breaking international track record of TSSG; WIT’s and ITC’s joint entrepreneur development programme New Frontiers, the expertise available in ITC’s GameCORE and their new Interreg-funded INSPIRE Programme. Twenty research staff are based in this new research centre in the grounds of the College, and this number is expected to increase significantly over time. This centre provides incubation space for research and entrepreneurs in the important ICT sector and in doing this and in furthering education in Kilkenny it is at the heart of the mission of the College.

The College has also cemented its place at the heart of the Diocese and it is home for the Diocesan Forum Office, The Vocations Office and the Ossory Adult Faith Development Office. We are delighted to also offer here, in conjunction with NUIM, a Certificate in Theology (Level 7) aimed at those who work in Parish Ministries and those who want simply to deepen their faith.

Much is going on inside the great walls of St Kieran’s and all of it is centered on our original and continuing mission to provide excellence in education and formation to all who come here.

Once more I welcome you to St Kieran’s College. Enjoy your time spent looking through our website it offers some insight into the great life and energy of all who work and study here. In keeping with our motto Hiems Transiit (‘Winter has passed’) from the Song of Songs (2:11) we hope your will find here a community of deep faith and warm hospitality.

Rev Dr Dermot Ryan

College President

Rev. Dr Dermot Ryan

President

Key Dates

Key Dates

Please note: It may be necessary to reschedule some of the below times and dates. Please check the school website throughout the year for confirmation of the most up to date information.

August
Thursday 24th
6th year students return at 8:50
Friday 25th
3rd year students return 8:50am/ 1st Year Induction at 11am
Monday 28th
2nd year, 5th year and TY students return to school at 8:50am
September
Monday 18th
Open Evening
Friday 22nd
Sports Day
Monday 25th
School Closed
October
Thursday 19th (4:15-6:45pm)
6th Year P/T Meeting
Friday 27th
Mid-Term Break Begins @ 1pm
November
Monday 6th
School Reopens after Mid-Term Break
Thursdays 9th (7pm)
6th Year Careers Information Evening
Thursday 16th (4.15pm - 6.45pm)
3rd Year P/T Meeting
Thursday 23rd (4.15pm - 6.45pm)
5th Year P/T Meeting
Friday 24th
Staff Training Day (No School for Students)
Monday 27th
Staff Training Day (No School for Students)
December
Friday 14th
Christmas Carol Service @ 7:30pm
Friday 22nd
Christmas Holidays Begin @ 1pm
January
Monday 8th
School Reopens after Christmas Holidays
Thursday 11th (7pm)
Subject Choice Meeting for 1st Year Parents
Thursday 18th (4.15pm - 6.45pm)
1st Year P/T Meeting
Monday 22nd
Staff Training Day (No School for Students)
Thursday 25th (4.15pm - 6.45pm)
2nd Year P/T Meeting
February
Monday 29th (Jan) - Friday 9th (Feb)
Mock Examinations for JC & LC
Monday 5th
St Brigid's Day (School Closed)
Wednesday 7th (7pm)
Subject Choice Meeting for Transition Year Parents
Friday 9th
Mid -Term Break Begins @ 1pm
Monday 19th
School Reopens after Mid-Term Break
Thursday 22nd (4:15-6:45pm)
TY P/T Meeting
March
Friday 8th
St Kieran's Day Activities
Monday 18th
School Closed
Friday 22nd
Easter Holidays Begin @ 1pm
April
Monday 8th
School Reopens after Easter Holidays
Thursday 18th (7pm)
3rd Year Parents Information Evening for TY
May
Monday 6th
School Closed (Bank Holiday)
Tuesday 7th
School Closed
Friday 31st
Summer Holidays Begin
June
Wednesday 5th
Junior & Leaving cert exams start

Latest News

Feast of Saint Kieran

The 5th of March marks the feast day of our Patron Saint, Saint Kieran. A wonderful celebration of all that we are through communion, prayer, music and song was held in St Mary’s Cathedral.  

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JCPA Presentations

Well done to all our TY students who were presented with their Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement Certificates.      

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