Marist College, Athlone

Marist College, Athlone
Location
Athlone, County Westmeath Ireland
Coordinates	53.425°N 7.925°W / 53.425; -7.925
Information
Religious affiliation(s)	Roman Catholic
Established	1884
Founders	Marist Brothers
Principal	Michael Dermody[1]
Number of students	540 (2023)[2]
Colour(s)	Blue and yellow
Website	www.maristathlone.net

Marist College is a secondary school for boys in Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland.

History and development

The school was founded in 1884 by the Marist Brothers, a French Order, and the first principal was Brother Mungo. The original school was based in Glesson Street/Saint Mary's Square.^[3][4] The college had a seminary for Juniorate training between 1915 and 1936 located at Bailieborough Castle, County Cavan. In 1973, the school moved to its current location on Retreat Road.

In January 2022, the Department of Education gave the go-ahead for a new school building to be developed at the college.^[5] Speaking to the Westmeath Independent, principal Michael Dermody said this was an important milestone in the history of the school.^[6]

Curriculum

The school offers both the Junior and Leaving Certificate cycles. Transition Year was introduced into the college in 1989.^[7] Marist College offers all the mandatory subjects, along with technical graphics, business studies, technology and design & communication.^[8]

Marist College is involved in a variety of sports, including Gaelic football, hurling, soccer, rugby, basketball and golf.^[9] It is also involved in the F1 in Schools competition, with five previous teams reaching the world finals and the 2016 team emerging as winners.^[10]

Notable past pupils

See also: Category:People educated at Marist College, Athlone

• Robbie Benson – footballer for St Patrick's Athletic^[11]
• Jack Carty – rugby union player^[12]
• Robbie Henshaw – rugby union player for Ireland^[13]
• Ralph Kenna – Professor of theoretical physics Coventry University^[14]
• Brian Lenihan – former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tánaiste^[15]
• John McCormack – tenor^[16]
• Hugh Milling – cricketer^[17]
• Feargal O'Rourke – Managing Partner of PwC Ireland, architect of the double Irish tax scheme^[18]
• Mark Rohan – Paralympic gold medal winner for Ireland^[19]
• Fergal Wilson – Retired GAA player for Tubberclaire GAA & Westmeath GAA^[20]

References

1. "Contact Us". maristathlone.net. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
2. "Gov.ie - Marist College". gov.ie. Department of Education. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
3. Cusack, Adrian (14 October 2009). "Athlone's Marist College to celebrate its glorious 125-year history". Westmeath Independent. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
4. "A Brief History". maristathlone.net. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
5. "Milestone moment for Marist College as new school building to be constructed". Athlone Advertiser. 20 January 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
6. Cusack, Adrian (14 January 2022). "Delight at Marist College as new school building gets green light". Westmeath Independent. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
7. "TY & LCVP". maristathlone.net. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
8. "Senior Cycle Subject Choice". maristathlone.net. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
9. "Sports and Societies". maristathlone.net. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
10. Grennan, Geraldine (23 May 2022). "Marist College team through to World F1 in Schools Finals". Westmeath Independent. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
11. "Robbie Benson awarded FAI International Schools' accolade". FAI Schools. 8 February 2011. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
12. Farrell, Sinead (27 January 2019). "'They never changed' - the midlands boys with Six Nations dreams who stay true to their roots". The 42. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
13. "Tackling things together... Robbie Henshaw and dad Tony". Irish Independent. 17 August 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
14. "Doctor honoris causa". National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. 11 August 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
15. Coghlan, Finian (17 June 2011). "Marist College mourns its greatest old boy as Brian Lenihan is laid to rest". Athlone Advertiser. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
16. "The Irish tenor who lived like a rockstar and sang like an angel". epicchq.com. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
17. O'Neill, Kevin (20 July 2011). "Athlone Cricket club to honour Hugh Milling". Westmeath Independent. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
18. "Renowned teacher retires after 43 years at Marist College". Westmeath Independent. 11 October 2020.
19. "Mark Rohan". Athlone Institute of Technology. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
20. Verney, Michael (6 February 2016). "Underdogs look to end Leinster famine for Marist". Irish Independent. Retrieved 20 June 2023.

External links

• Official website