Notre Dame de Rockwell - History

Notre Dame de Rockwell - History The fascinating ๐–˜๐–™๐–”๐–—๐–Ž๐–Š๐–˜ and ๐™๐™ž๐™จ๐™ฉ๐™ค๐™ง๐™ฎ of the prestigious and long-established school of Co.Tipperary ๐Ÿ“œ๐Ÿ”Ž๐Ÿ“ฐ

Established c. 1862 - 1863 within the Rockwell Demesne in County Tipperary near the towns of Cashel and Cahir, Rockwell College remains one of the most prestigious and oldest schools in Ireland.

What was "Rockwell" before the first students arrived?โ€‹Weโ€™re diving into the 1849 Knockgraffon Rate Book, more than 13 y...
20/03/2026

What was "Rockwell" before the first students arrived?

โ€‹Weโ€™re diving into the 1849 Knockgraffon Rate Book, more than 13 years before the school was founded. This document offers a rare look at the land and its occupiers during a pivotal era in Irish history.

โ€‹This series, in collaboration with Tipperary Studies, showcases the incredible heritage preservation led by . These archives are real treasures for our county, and weโ€™re proud to help bring them to light.

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In collaboration with Tipperary Studies, here is the second post of a new series from Rockwell College History, celebrat...
17/02/2026

In collaboration with Tipperary Studies, here is the second post of a new series from Rockwell College History, celebrating the rich and unrivalled local archives of the Tipperary Studies Department, Tipperary County Council. Drawing on original documents, photographs and records, these posts explore the people, places and stories that have shaped Tipperaryโ€™s past and Rockwellโ€™s place within it.

The posts aim to highlight the exceptional conservation and heritage preservation efforts under the leadership of

In collaboration with Tipperary Studies, here is a new series from Rockwell College History, celebrating the rich and un...
07/02/2026

In collaboration with Tipperary Studies, here is a new series from Rockwell College History, celebrating the rich and unrivalled local archives of the Tipperary Studies Department, Tipperary County Council. Drawing on original documents, photographs and records, these posts explore the people, places and stories that have shaped Tipperaryโ€™s past and Rockwellโ€™s place within it.

The posts aim to highlight the exceptional conservation and heritage preservation efforts under the leadership of

Rescuer and Discreet Source of Funding of Rockwell College: Patron James O'Donnell.The Testament of James Oโ€™Donnell whil...
24/01/2026

Rescuer and Discreet Source of Funding of Rockwell College: Patron James O'Donnell.

The Testament of James Oโ€™Donnell while he was living at Rockwell College and significantly was supporting the Holy Ghost Fathers Congregation in Cashel. Not only did James Oโ€™Donnell fund at Rockwell College activities and growth at multiple occasions during his life, he also donated through his will (after his death on October 17th 1897) what would be equivalent to about 500 000 $ towards the school and the Spiritans.

GIRLS BOARDING SCHOOL FACILITIES: historic moment for Rockwell College.In September 2023, the first boarding school faci...
20/01/2026

GIRLS BOARDING SCHOOL FACILITIES: historic moment for Rockwell College.

In September 2023, the first boarding school facilities dedicated to girls were officially inaugurated, marking a major milestone in the collegeโ€™s journey toward equality and inclusion.

This development first expected for 2021 but made available late 2023 represents decades of progress, reflecting the commitment to providing equal opportunities, support and community for all students. It stands as an important chapter in Rockwell Collegeโ€™s history and a foundation for generations of girls to come and study at Rockwell.

Celebrating the women who helped shape Rockwell College ๐Ÿ’œFrom the first female students joining in the 1980s to women le...
16/01/2026

Celebrating the women who helped shape Rockwell College ๐Ÿ’œ

From the first female students joining in the 1980s to women leading in education, sport, finance, chaplaincy and student life, these milestones mark the journey toward a more inclusive Rockwell College.

Another episode of the History of Women at Rockwell College.
05/01/2026

Another episode of the History of Women at Rockwell College.

As we continue diving into the history that the Ladies of Rockwell College achieved which shaped the great school still ...
05/01/2026

As we continue diving into the history that the Ladies of Rockwell College achieved which shaped the great school still running today: here is another post on Eimear Burke, who, as a student in 1995 accumulated awards and record-breaking achievements โœจ๏ธ

First episode of a new series focusing on the History of Women at Rockwell College. All episodes will feature the very i...
05/01/2026

First episode of a new series focusing on the History of Women at Rockwell College. All episodes will feature the very impressive and inspiring individuals that marked Rockwell's evolution! Stay tuned

The incredibly rich collections of archives and photographs of the National Library of Ireland include many old pieces r...
04/01/2026

The incredibly rich collections of archives and photographs of the National Library of Ireland include many old pieces relating to Rockwell College. This one is a photograph by Arthur Henri Poole showing the Music Class at Rockwell alongside teacher Fr. Egan โ€” circa 1920-1930.

๐—›๐—ฎ๐—ฝ๐—ฝ๐˜† ๐—ก๐—ฒ๐˜„ ๐—ฌ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ, wishing everyone all the best in 2026! 100 years ago in 1926, two important figures in Ireland's mission...
02/01/2026

๐—›๐—ฎ๐—ฝ๐—ฝ๐˜† ๐—ก๐—ฒ๐˜„ ๐—ฌ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ, wishing everyone all the best in 2026! 100 years ago in 1926, two important figures in Ireland's missionary history were just starting their journey at Rockwell College โ†˜๏ธ

๐‘ญ๐‘น ๐‘ฏ๐‘ฌ๐‘ต๐‘น๐’€ ๐‘ฑ. ๐‘ฉ๐’€๐‘น๐‘ต๐‘ฌ, ๐‘ช๐‘บ๐‘บ๐‘ท (1910โ€“1984)

Born 27 April 1910 in Mount Charles, Co. Donegal, Henry Byrne attended Rockwell College 1926-1930. He entered the Spiritan novitiate at Kimmage in 1930 and returned to Rockwell as prefect 1932-34. Ordained in 1938, Fr Byrne was appointed to East Africa in 1939. From January 1940 he served at St Peter Claver's Mission, Nairobi, later becoming parish priest of Makupa in Mombasa. He served as diocesan Procurator in Nairobi and managed the diocesan farm at Kinangop near Nakuru. After 30 years in Kenya, Fr Byrne returned to Ireland in 1969. He served in parish ministry in Leeds (1970-72) and as chaplain at St John of God Hospital, Stillorgan (1974-82). He retired to Kimmage Manor and died 28 March 1984, aged 73. He was remembered as a capable administrator and respected community member.

๐‘ญ๐‘น ๐‘ฌ๐‘ซ๐‘พ๐‘จ๐‘น๐‘ซ ๐‘ญ๐‘ฐ๐‘ป๐’๐‘ฎ๐‘ฌ๐‘น๐‘จ๐‘ณ๐‘ซ, ๐‘ช๐‘บ๐‘บ๐‘ท (1909โ€“1993)

Born 25 November 1909 in Brabazon Square, Dublin, Edward Fitzgerald entered Rockwell College in 1926, completing his studies there 1926-28. Professed in 1929, he studied philosophy at Blackrock (1929-31), served as prefect at Rockwell (1931-33), then completed theology studies at Blackrock and Kimmage.
Ordained in 1936, Fr Fitzgerald was appointed to the Vicariate of Zanzibar in 1937. He served at Bura Mission in the Taita Hills (1937-42) and Kabaa (1942-47), becoming fluent in Kiswahili. He returned to Ireland for vocational outreach (1947-49), then back to East Africa, serving in Pemba (1950-51) and St Mary's College, Nairobi (1951-56), where he directed music and documented life through photography.
After returning to Ireland, Fr Fitzgerald served as chaplain at St Michael's Hospital, Dรบn Laoghaire until 1983. He had worked alongside Edel Quinn in Kenya and noted his chaplaincy apartment had been hers before her departure for East Africa. He was known for his meticulous work, strong religious identity, and active participation in community life.

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