Editorial
In these days of shortage and of crisis there were, we must confess, moments when we were in doubt as to whether June, 1918, would witness an issue of the “Chronicle” or not. Fortunately, our doubts were unfounded.
The Chronicles
132 Chronicles from 1886 to 2024
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2024
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2023
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2022
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2021
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2020
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2019
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2018
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2017
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2016
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2015
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2014
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2013
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2012
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2011
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2010
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2009
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2008
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2007
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2006
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2005
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2004
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2003
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2002
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2001
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Castleknock College Chronicle 2000
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1999
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1998
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1997
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1996
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1995
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1994
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1993
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1992
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1991
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1990
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1989
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1988
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1987
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1986
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1985
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1984
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1983
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1980–1982
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1978–1979
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1977
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1976
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1975
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1974
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1973
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1972
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1971
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1970
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1969
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1968
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1967
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1966
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1965
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1964
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1963
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1962
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1961
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1960
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1959
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1958
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1957
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1956
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1955
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1954
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1953
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1952
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1951
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1950
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1949
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1948
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1947
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1945–1946
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1943–1944
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1941–1942
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1940
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1939
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1938
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1937
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1935–1936
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Centenary Record
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1934
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1933
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1932
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1931
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1930
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1929
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1928
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1927
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1926
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1925
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1924
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1923
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1922
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1921
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1920
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1919
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1918
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1917
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1916
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1915
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1914
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1913
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1912
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1911
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1910
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1909
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1908
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1907
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1906
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1905
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1904
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1903
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1902
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1901
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1900
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1899
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1898
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1897
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1896
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1895
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1894
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1893
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1892
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1891
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1890
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1889
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1888
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1887
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Castleknock College Chronicle 1886
From the 1912 Chronicle
The last photograph of the Titanic
Between notes on the Christmas holidays, the 1912 Chronicle printed the last photograph ever taken of the Titanic, as she steamed away from Queenstown on 11 April 1912, four days before she sank.
“The last Photo of the Titanic, taken by Mr. John Morrogh at Red Bay, Crosshaven, after the vessel had left Queenstown.”
From the 1900 Chronicle
Queen Victoria’s visit to Castleknock College
On 22 April 1900, an urgent message interrupted the boys’ cricket: Queen Victoria was on her way to Castleknock. The Chronicle records the hurried preparations, the cheering crowds and the week’s holiday granted to mark her visit.
“The Queen's Visit to Castleknock.”
From the 1915 Chronicle
Pastmen in the First World War
The 1915 Chronicle records the pastmen serving in the First World War. Alongside their portraits are accounts of life at the front, wounds, bravery and loss—a record of the war as it reached the College community.
“Lieut. Robert Dewar. Lieut. Thomas Murphy. Lieut. Denis Bailey. Francis M‘Elligott (Rugby Corps). Peter Kearney (Liverpool Regiment). Lieut. Donald Smith. Thomas Whitty (Rugby Corps).”
From the Centenary Record
The College writes its own history
For its hundredth year the College published its own history, the Centenary Record, 1835–1935: twenty-four chapters from Castleknock Castle, drawn here by Francis Place in 1698, to wireless in the College, and a list of every student of its first hundred years. It came out in the summer of 1935, and that year’s Chronicle stood aside for it: the Record “takes the place of the Golden Jubilee number of the Castleknock Chronicle”.
“CASTLEKNOCK CASTLE AND SURROUNDINGS, A.D. 1698. FROM A CONTEMPORARY DRAWING BY FRANCIS PLACE. Reproduced by permission of Mr. John Maher Owner of the Original Drawing.”
From the 1966 Chronicle
The Easter Rising, in a pastman’s diary
Joseph Holloway, a pupil here in 1874–76 and later Dublin’s great theatre diarist, kept a record of Easter Week 1916. He read the Proclamation pasted on a hoarding, noted a Volunteer at Stephen’s Green saying he was simply “Defending Ireland”, and looked down a deserted, ruined O’Connell Street. The Chronicle printed his diary for the fiftieth anniversary.
From the 1904 Chronicle
An audience with Pope Pius X
Months after his election, Pope Pius X received a visitor who came to plead the cause of the Christians of Macedonia, and who urged him to tour Ireland and America. The 1904 Chronicle reprinted the interview beside a full-page portrait of the Pope, who was canonised fifty years later.
“POPE PIUS X.”
From the 1898 Chronicle
A Castleknock pastman’s Victoria Cross
Surgeon-Major James Henry Reynolds, a Castleknock pastman, won the Victoria Cross for his care of the wounded under fire at Rorke’s Drift in 1879, the defence later made famous by the film Zulu. In 1898 the Chronicle told the story of the decoration and of how its “past man” gained his laurels.
“SURGEON LIEUT. COL. J. H. REYNOLDS, V.C.”
From the 1913 Chronicle
Tuning in to Paris, 1913
In 1913 the College built its own wireless receiving station, with an aerial strung from a flagstaff on a hill 150 yards away. Each day it picked up the time signal and weather report sent out from Paris, and the Chronicle explained to other schools how to do the same.
“Guglielmo Marconi, Esq., LL.D., D.Sc.”
From the 1892 Chronicle
The electric light comes to Castleknock
In 1892 the College reported on its first full year of electric light. Being “the first in these parts to use the electric light” for study, it had feared breakdowns, but the light lit its halls and corridors for five or six hours a day and proved “the greatest comfort and luxury possible”.
From the 1948 Chronicle
Ireland’s 1948 Triple Crown
When Ireland won the Triple Crown in 1948, three Castleknock men had a hand in it. Colm Callan played in the forwards, while Charles Hanrahan and Eddie Lightfoot were two of the five selectors who picked the team.
“COLM CALLAN”
From the 1920 Chronicle
The double of 1920
In 1920 Castleknock won both the Senior and the Junior Schools Rugby Cups for the first time. The Seniors beat Mountjoy 9–0 in the final, and the Juniors, having ousted Belvedere, were sent the Junior Cup when Blackrock could not play the final.
“The Senior XV.: Winners of the Senior Schools' Rugby Cup.”
From the 1969 Chronicle
President de Valera returns to Castleknock
In June 1969 the President of Ireland, Éamon de Valera, came to the ceremonies marking the completion of the College’s building programme. The Chronicle welcomed him as one “who was himself a member of the academic staff of the College in the early years of this century”: the staff list for 1910–11 names “Edward de Valera, Esq., B.A.”
“Ceremonies to mark the completion of the Building Programme, Sunday June 15th.”
From the 1957 Chronicle
Liam Cosgrave at the United Nations
Liam Cosgrave, Minister for External Affairs, had “just made a piece of Irish history”, the Union heard at its dinner: he was the first Irish minister ever to address the General Assembly of the United Nations, where he spoke up for “the heroic and valorous Hungarian people”. In New York, St John’s University gave him an honorary doctorate.
“Mr. Liam Cosgrave, T.D. (Minister for External Affairs) receiving the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from The Very Rev. John A. Flynn, C.M., President of St. John's University, Brooklyn, New York.”
From the 1889 Chronicle
Sir Charles Russell and the Special Commission
In 1889 Sir Charles Russell, who had come to the College as a schoolboy 43 years before, was leading the Irish case before the Special Commission. The Chronicle wrote that the court “set up to effect the political ruin of the Irish members” had become a platform “from which he was able to vindicate the honour of his native country”.
From the 1932 Chronicle
Frank Fahy, Ceann Comhairle
In 1932 the College congratulated Frank Fahy, T.D., on his election as Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, “especially those of her sons who were taught by him”. He had been one of its lay masters, and in September 1917 the boys’ diary had noted the “Return of Mr. Fahy, who was heartily welcome”, after his imprisonment for his part in the 1916 Rising.
“FRANCIS FAHY, T.D.”
From the 1896 Chronicle
The X-rays at Castleknock, 1896
Weeks after Röntgen’s discovery “startled” the world at Christmas 1895, the College tried the experiments for itself with the Crookes’ tubes in its Physics Hall. They worked so well that Professor Barrett of the Royal College of Science borrowed them for his demonstration before the Lord Lieutenant, and Father Bodkin lectured the boys on “the new photography”.
From the 1980–1982 Chronicle
The Pope in the Phoenix Park
On 29 September 1979 Pope John Paul II said Mass in the Phoenix Park, a few miles from the College. From first light, boys, staff and parents set out to merge “with the million”. The night before, the College had put up the Vincentian family in its rooms and dormitories, and in tents pitched on the slopes of Cnucha.
“Papal Mass in Phoenix Park (29th September 1979). (Ken Anderson and Associates)”
From the 1986 Chronicle
The College at 150
On 26 and 27 October 1985 the College celebrated 150 years since its foundation. At the pastmen’s banquet Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich spoke of what he owed the Vincentians, and the next day President Hillery and Mrs Hillery joined some three hundred guests for Mass and a banquet.
“Mr. Justice A. Hedderman, Mr. Liam Cosgrave, The Minister of Justice: P. Cooney, T.D., His Eminence Cardinal Tómas O Fiach, Very Rev. Kevin O' Shea, C.M. President of the College, Mr. J. O'Reilly, President of the Union.”
From the 2006 Chronicle
The last boarders
In 2002 the College learned that boarding would end. At Union Day 2006 the House Captain called it “the very last Union Day graduation of Castleknock College Boarding School”, and the Chronicle pictured the nine boys who had boarded for all six years: the last in a line that began with John Lynch of Clones on 28 August 1835.
“Patrick Shaffrey, Kilian McConnell, Séamus Morgan, Paul Coffey, Seán Farrell, Brian Collins, Conor Layden, Darren Louth & Kevin Mahon.”
From the 2009 Chronicle
President McAleese and the restored College
On 29 September 2008 President Mary McAleese came to mark the end of the College’s restoration. She toured the buildings, talked with boys in the new Alton Library and unveiled a commemorative plaque, telling the concert hall that her outfit was navy and sky blue.
“President McAleese unveils the commemorative plaque”
From the 2020 Chronicle
The College in lockdown, 2020
On 12 March 2020 every school in the country was told to close. The College diary kept the record day by day: hand sanitiser at the door, prize-winners congratulated with an elbow-bump, lessons moved to Zoom, the Leaving Certificate orals cancelled, St Patrick’s Day spent “isolated and away from crowds”, and Easter Mass streamed from the chapel.
From the archive
Reports, features and photographs from every edition
Football Notes, 1957-58: Senior
The Rugby Season kicked off as usual with the election of the Captains. The honour of being Captain of the House went to Terry O'Neill and he carried out the duties of this office most conscientiously throughout the year.
Remembering Frank
I feel myself in a rather uniquely privileged position in the different ways that I have known the late Frank Maher.
Some Unpublished Letters of Cardinal Newman
The first four of these unpublished letters of Cardinal Newman were presented to me in 1940 by the late Professor Mary T. Hayden, M.A., D.Litt., daughter of Dr. Thomas Hayden, who was appointed by Newman as first Professor of Medicine in the Catholic University.
Priest and Scholar
Amongst past Castleknock men few have attained such world-wide reputation as the late Right Rev. Monsignor Molloy, D.D., Rector of the Catholic University, and Vice-Chancellor of the Royal University of Ireland. His career was a most remarkable one.
The Jubilee Dinner
The Dinner, held in the College on Wednesday, 4th December, 1946, to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Past Pupils' Union, was a distinct success. It was fitting that the return to the College for this function should coincide with the celebration of the Jubilee.
The Battle of Castleknock
The ancient name of Castleknock was Cnucha. In the old Irish romances and annals frequent reference is made to it, and we find several lengthy descriptions of different battles fought in the neighbourhood.
Educational Tours
Fate was on our side on Wednesday, 10th May. The majority of the boys who were going on the tour were second-years though there were quite a few third-years and some first-years. The day was fine.
Father Peter Byrne, C.M.
To Castleknock boys of recent years the name of Father Peter Byrne is likely not familiar; but to those of the older generation, who were at Castleknock from forty to fifty years ago, his memory is still fresh and living.
Nigerian Mission
Forty years ago, in June 1954, I left 'Knock, entered the Vincentian seminary at Blackrock and was ordained in 1962. I taught for a few years in St Paul's before coming to Nigeria for the first time during the Biafran civil war.
The Vincentians in Nigeria
THE Irish Vincentians signalized the tercentenary of St. Vincent's death by sending their first missionaries to Africa. There are three missionaries in this first group. Fr. Frank Mullan, C.M., Fr. Henry Morrin, C.M., and Fr. Patrick Hughes, C.M.
Mr. Frank Fahy, T.D.
St. Vincent's, and especially those of her sons who were taught by him, have very great pleasure in congratulating Mr. Frank Fahy, T.D., upon his election as Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann.
Barry Lawlor
On Wednesday, November 4th, at 8.35, Barry and I went to decide what needed to be rehearsed for the show we were producing and together we went in to begin at 8.45 a.m. He wanted to work on two numbers with the group of boys who were the instrumentalists.
Our Illustrious Past
With ever-growing frequency in the recurring years our now venerable Alma Mater is called on to mourn the loss of her distinguished sons, as one by one they pass away.
Castleknock College 175 Year Gala Dinner
On Saturday, 26th November 2011 The Castleknock College Union, The Board of Management of the College and The Parent's Association combined to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the founding of the College with a Gala Dinner in the Round Room at the Mansion House, Dublin.
Most Reverend John Lynch, CM, DD
John Lynch was born on the 6th February 1816 near Clones, Co Monaghan. During his early childhood his family moved to Lucan, near Dublin where he began his education at a private school in Lucan and at St. Joseph's Seminary, Clondalkin.
Theatricals
At Easter Lytton's play of "Richelieu," was performed for the first time in Castleknock, and when we say that the performance was quite up to the histrionic successes associated with the Castleknock stage we have said all in the way of praise that can be said.
The Queen's Visit to Castleknock
Sunday, April 22nd, 1900, marks a memorable day in the annals of Castleknock. On that day Queen Victoria visited the College. The event is historic, as being the first occasion that an English sovereign visited an Irish Catholic College.
The Union Dinner
The Union Dinner this year, held on 22nd November, 1952, was made memorable by the presence of His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio, the Most Rev. Dr. Gerald P. O'Hara, Archbishop of Savannah-Atlanta who addressed the gathering.
A School Wireless Station
A short account of my experiences in setting up a wireless receiving station in the College may prove of interest to some teachers.
H.M.S. Pinafore
Though no one would claim for H.M.S. Pinafore that it is Gilbert and Sullivan's best work, yet this short opera clearly bears the hallmark of the talented partnership, and its title—itself truly Gilbertian—is as well known as that of any of the Savoy Operas.
Union Day, 1926, Sunday, 13th June
I now come to the big event of the Union Year—Castleknock Day. First, let me offer my congratulations to the organisers on the success of their efforts.
New School Principal
In June 1992 the Government presented its Green Paper on Education, a document that charters the future for education in Ireland. Castleknock College, accordingly, addresses itself seriously to these challenges which the future education environment presents;
Animal Farm
Feeling confident as a result of the great response to last year's play, "All the King's Horses", we decided this year to concentrate our efforts on a play which, whilst being more demanding, would also be more original.
The College Centenary
On Saturday and Sunday, 22nd and 23rd of June, 1935, the completion of the Hundredth Year of the life of the College was duly celebrated at Castleknock.
Papal Visit
The Pope was visiting our parish, or was it the next parish — delineation in Phoenix Park are not that clear. From first light, in as auspicious a "morning mist" as ever arose, we merged with the million as we came from the college.
Five Fateful Days
Joseph Holloway was a student in the College from 1874 to 1876. He was Dublin's most famous example of "the first nighter", attending with incredible regularity the opening night of almost every theatrical production from 1895 until his death in 1944.
Castleknock: The College and the Castle
The purport of the following paper is not so much to give an account of the College or of the history of the Castle as to select points of contact with the history of the city, and at the same time to allow us glimpses of life within Old Dublin.
Union Day Address
Reverend President, Vincentian Fathers, Headmaster, Deputy Headmaster, Classmates, Ladies and Gentlemen. Today it is with great honour that I speak to you on behalf of the class of 2015.
Dame Silvia Cartwright, Governor-General of New Zealand, at Castleknock College
The influence of Castleknock Pastmen on the emerging Catholic Church in nineteenth century New Zealand was highlighted during a visit to the College this year by the Governor-General of New Zealand.
Headmaster’s Chronicle 2019-2020
The year began with excitement and hope for great achievement and ended with uncertainty and fear for the future. It is no exaggeration to say it was a school year like none other before it.
The Event of the Year
The chronicler of last year considered himself blessed in having to record the building of a new wing to the College; and little thought he would be called on to give the readers of these pages the details of a still more important event.
Headmaster’s Chronicle 2018-2019
A full year of varied and diverse curricular and co-curricular activities best describes the calendar of 2018-19. The student roll of 668 and teaching staff numbering 56 continued our key goal of achieving academic excellence, with examination results well above the national average.
A Message from the Headmaster, Mr Oliver Murphy
The greatest honour which I have ever received in my working life was when the Board of Governors of Castleknock College invited me to be their new Headmaster. I was to succeed Mr Andy McGeady, who had assembled a fantastic staff.
Centenary Union Day Reception
The Castleknock College Union, which I am proud to serve as President this year, began its life on 5th December 1896. The aim of the Union was to bring together the Alumni of Castleknock, to keep in touch with one another so that old memories and associations might be kept alive…
Castleknock College Union
The inauguration of the College Union took place within the past year, and as it is an event that so much concerns our past and present alumni we give the first place to a notice of it in this issue of the Chronicle.
Visit of the Superior-General
ON the occasion of the visit of the Most Reverend WILLIAM M. SLATTERY, C.M., to the Irish Province, Castleknock had the pleasure on November 10th, of welcoming both the General and the President of Ireland under its roof.
Castleknock Day
When two years ago the first invasion in their strength of the non-belligerent sex, with the peaceful weapons of their smiles and good graces, carried all before them and forced the entrance of the ancient fortress of Cnuca, it was said by many that a repetition of May 27th, 1903, would be an impossible experiment.
Patience
At first glance Patience would appear to be one of the least suitable of the Savoy Operas for school production. Its plot is slight and somewhat intangible, centring as it does round the Wildean cult of aesthetics prevalent during the closing decades of the last century.
The Rev. Patrick J. Dowling, C.M.
The death of Father Dowling on November the second, 1915, came as a great surprise to his numerous friends and admirers. He was but fifty-seven years of age, and, according to human probabilities, had many years of life before him.
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