“Nos Autem in Nomine Domini”. Ever heard that? It’s Castleknock College’s motto. It means “We however, put our trust in the Name of the Lord”. The college has stood here since 1835. It has seen Ireland transform.
Castleknock College began as St. Vincent’s Ecclesiastical Seminary. Philip Dowley founded it. He was a former Dean of Maynooth. The school aimed to educate boys. Some wanted to enter religious life. Others sought a secular path. The first student was John Lynch of Clones. He later became Archbishop of Toronto. Imagine that.
The college’s early days were modest. Just 47 boys attended. They studied various subjects. These included Humanity, Rhetoric and Theology. By 1860, enrollment reached one hundred. Many graduates entered religious life. Some served in the New World.
Queen Victoria visited Castleknock College in 1900. It was the first time an English sovereign visited an Irish Catholic college. The event marked a high point for the school. It cemented its place in Irish society.
Castleknock’s academic focus is strong. The Alton Library is the largest second-level school library in Ireland. It provides ample resources. Computing and science labs are also available. These support a low teacher-pupil ratio.
Sport has always been important at Castleknock College. A unique game called stilts was once popular. It was eventually replaced by soccer. Rugby became the primary sport in 1909. The college has won the Leinster Schools Senior Cup eight times. They have been runners-up fifteen times.
Many Castleknock alumni have achieved great things. Twenty-six past men have represented Ireland at full international rugby. Devin Toner is among them. James Leo Farrell and Michael Dunne toured with the British and Irish Lions.
Music thrives here too. Castleknock College has a concert orchestra. There is also a soul band and an award-winning choir. The College Chapel houses a pipe organ. It dates back to the early 1850s.
The St Vincent de Paul Society is active at Castleknock. Students help the impoverished. They visit local centers. They raise funds for those in need. The Castleknock Ambo Partnership sends students to Ethiopia. They work with the Vincentian community there.
Extra-curricular activities abound. Students can join the chess club. They can participate in debating. There are language societies and a film club. The Castleknock Chronicle has been published since 1886. It records the college’s main events.
The grounds hold historical significance. Windmill Hill is said to be the burial mound of Cumhal. He was the father of Fionn mac Cumhaill. Castleknock Castle’s remains sit on another hill. It dates back to the 13th century.
The college buildings have evolved. McNamara House, Cregan House and Dowley House form the core. Recent renovations have modernized the facilities. President Mary McAleese opened the restored buildings in 2008.
Castleknock College has appeared in popular media. The film “Handsome Devil” was filmed here. It featured as the fictional Woodhill College. The school’s spirit lives on. Its traditions continue to shape young men.