Fr Ignatius McCormack outside St Flannan’s College. Photograph: Eamon Ward
ST FLANNAN’S COLLGE in Ennis is on course to become Munster’s largest school this September when its student population increases from 1,201 to 1,280.
A record 302 enrolment applications from 34 feeder schools have listed St. Flannan’s College as a first preference, up from 279 in 2023, prompting the Board of Management to approve an increase in the school’s intake of First Year students for the 2024/25 academic year.
Principal Fr. Ignatius McCormack described the expansion as “a proud moment” in the history of the school, which has been a landmark educational institute in the Clare county town for more than 150 years. “The school’s distinguished track record in the field of education and in providing an enriching school experience for attending students is the foundation on which we are building for the future,” he explained.
In 1962 there were 370 pupils in St Flannan’s of which 140 were day boys. Co-education was introduced to the school in 2002. A year later, a new wing containing extensive facilities was opened and by this stage student numbers stood at 1,000.
Fr. McCormack continued, “We have received invaluable support from the Department of Education through the sanctioning of additional resources, including teachers and the required funding, to facilitate the steady growth in the number of enrolled students. The further increase in numbers this September will see our teacher numbers rise by 4, while we also will be expanding our classroom and resource space”.
Planning is underway to significantly expand the sporting and recreational infrastructure at the school with plans for a full-size astro turf pitch and gym facilities, the principal confirmed. Separate plans from the HSE are proceeding for €25m community hospital which will have 100 beds on lands which had been used by sporting teams in the school.
Leonard Cleary, Chair of the Board of Management of St. Flannan’s College said, “The school’s excellent reputation is testament to the work of Fr. Ignatius, his staff and the Patrons. The Board is conscious of the responsibility we take on in accepting an increased number of students. We are also confident that, in an atmosphere of mutual respect that has been engendered by school management and our students, we will continue to grow and develop as a community and as a vital service provider”.
