The foundation of the Catholic University School has its basis in the
Trinity College, Dublin – the sole constituent college of the University of Dublin. While the Trinity College had been opened to Catholics in 1793 (they could not be elected as Scholars, Fellows, or Professors), only a few attended.[8] Those Catholics who did were mainly educated in England at schools such as Stonyhurst College.[9]
To ensure larger numbers of students for the new university, Dr
Laurence O'Toole, the patron Saint of Dublin. St. Laurence's Academy, founded in 1850, was accompanied by the establishment of Belvedere College by the Jesuits in 1832 on the north side of the city. The University, as yet, had no dedicated preparatory or feeder school.17 Harcourt Street
, the original location of the school
By 1862, Dr. Bartholomew Woodlock took over as rector of the Catholic University, and suggested that the university proceed with the foundation of its own feeder school. Over time, St. Laurence's Academy developed a close relationship with the university. Woodlock was the first president of the school and professors from the university also taught in the school. The school was given a name reflecting its function: the Catholic University School.[11]
The first teachers in the school were mostly young Dublin priests who had studied at the
In the early 1860s, the finances of the Catholic University School and Catholic University of Ireland were intertwined, and the rent for the Harcourt Street premises was a high £2600 per annum. Neither the school nor the university were able to cope with this burden. Archbishop of Dublin, Paul Cullen was adamant that it was not possible for C.U.S to close down even for a year – because it would be possible that the school would never open again.[14]
In 1867 both
Lyons
in France. After a two-day petition, he convinced the Council of the benefit of taking on the Dublin school.
In July 1867, Woodlock informed Cullen of the financial burden the Harcourt Street premises had been. He recommended that the Marists purchase new premises, and when 89 Lower Leeson Street became available, the Marists purchased it. The Harcourt Street site remained on as the premises for the school for a short while as refurbishments were carried out on the Leeson Street building. On 29 September 1867 the Catholic University School opened on Lower Leeson Street.
Later years
In 2019, the school was involved in a High Court dispute with a former teacher. The court ruled that the teacher had been denied a fair disciplinary process, and the school was ordered to reform its complaints and disciplinary processes.[16]
Curriculum
The curriculum offers over 20 subjects and covers all common subjects in the
Art History, German, Art, Art history, Chemistry, Physics, Accounting and Economics.[17] Academically, the school was ranked in 63rd place nationally in 2018.[18] According to the school's website, class sizes "do not exceed 22-24" and are "[lower] for option subjects".[19]
Historically, the school was divided into three houses; Colin, Sarsfield, and Bodkin.[22] Students were placed under the supervision of a housemaster, usually a clerical member of the teaching staff.
The school has a connection with the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and holds an annual "hamper fund" in order to raise funds to the charity.[30] The school has also arranged student visits and fundraising in support of causes in the Davao Region of the Philippines.[31]
^Colin Barr, 'An Italian of the Vatican Type: The Roman Formation of Cardinal Paul Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin', A Journal of Irish Studies, 2016, Vol 6, pp. 27-47
^Dáire Keogh & Albert McDonnell, Cardinal Paul Cullen and his world, (Dublin, 2010)
^Francombe, Benedict John (1993). "The home of the living writer" : the playwright and the Abbey Theatre. Glasgow: University of Glasgow, PhD thesis. p. 136.
^White, Lawrence William. "Hodnett, George Desmond ('Hoddy'". Dictionary of Irish Biography - Cambridge University Press. Royal Irish Academy. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
