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Christian Brothers College, Cork

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Coordinates: 51°54′13″N 8°28′03″W / 51.9036°N 8.4674°W / 51.9036; -8.4674
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CBC Cork
Location
Map
Sidney Hill, Cork, Ireland
Coordinates51°54′13″N 8°28′03″W / 51.9036°N 8.4674°W / 51.9036; -8.4674
Information
TypePrivate
MottoCerta Bonum Certamen
(Fight the good fight)
Religious affiliation(s)Christianity (Catholic)
Established1888
TrustEdmund Rice Schools' Trust
PrincipalDavid Lordon[1]
Enrollment1000+ (Preparatory & Secondary combined)[2]
Nickname'Christians'
School fees€4,500[3]
Colors
Websitehttp://www.cbccork.ie

Christian Brothers College, Cork (CBC Cork, colloquially known as Christians) is a fee-paying school under the trusteeship of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust in Cork, Ireland.[4][5][6]

Their sister school in Dublin is CBC Monkstown.[2]

History

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Saint Patrick's Place building

In the mid 19th-century, the Vincentian Fathers maintained a seminary at Saint Patrick's Place in Cork, known as the Cork Diocesan Seminary. In 1888 a new seminary with residential accommodation was completed at Farranferris, and the Vincentian ecclesiastical students transferred there. From this point, the school existed in its current form.[7][8]

The then bishop of Cork, Most Rev. Dr O'Callaghan, invited the Christian Brothers to take charge of the St Patrick's Place establishment.[9]

From the beginning, CBC was principally involved in preparing pupils for university entry,[citation needed] and operated on St Patrick's Place for one hundred years.[9] In Where Finbarr Played, Professor John A. Murphy refers to both CBC Cork and PBC Cork as "elitist feeder schools."[10]

The school historically published an annual, titled the Collegian.[11]

During World War I, over 300 of the school's past pupils served in the Allied forces, which was relatively unique for an Irish Catholic school. Anthony P. Quinn, writing in Wigs & Guns: Irish Barristers During the Great War, explains that "discipline" and other characteristics beneficial for military service were instilled in 'Christians', in the same manner as public boys' schools in England. The school at this time was noted as "catering for the sons of comfortable families, and, as such could hardly be expected to be a hot-bed of revolutionary ideas". Unlike other Christian Brothers' schools, there existed a "vital thrust" to "support Britain in her hour of peril", and visits by past pupils wearing khaki aided a recruitment drive. Several lawyers who had attended the school became officers in the British Army throughout this period.[11]

In 2013, President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, commemorated the school's 125th anniversary.[12]

Recent development

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Marking the centenary in 1988, the college moved from its original site to a new location, one hundred metres away, atop Sidney Hill.[9]

In 1994, the school appointed its first lay principal, Dr. Laurence Jordan, who held the position until 2018.[13][14] In the same period (1996-1998) modernisation works took place on the sports facilities at Lansdowne, and an extension to the college complex itself included improved dining facilities and the creation of a complex for sixth year students.[citation needed] By 2008, the school's annual fees were €3,100 for first year and €2,850 for subsequent years.[15] As of 2023, it was the most expensive day school in County Cork.[16]

Though the Christian Brothers retain a presence on the board of management, as trustees, CBC is now staffed entirely by lay teachers, and is recognised as one of Ireland's leading educational establishments at secondary level. In the 2016 Sunday Times Schools League Table, CBC was listed 13th among the country's top boys schools.[17] In addition to its board of management, it is under the stewardship of the Edmund Rice Schools' Trust.[18]

As of January 2019, CBC had over 1000 students in the college, with over 900 at Secondary Level, and approximately 150 at Primary Level in the Preparatory School.[2] The principal of the college (both secondary and preparatory) is Mr. David Lordon.[1]

In December 2024, a planning objection lodged against a large-scale expansion of the school by a businessman who owned three townhouses adjacent to the school, was withdrawn. The individual had previously lodged an objection against a larger scale version of the proposed development, costed at €12.5 million, in 2020.[19][20][21] While planning permission had been granted for this development in 2020, a review by the board of management and the Edmund Rice Schools' Trust deemed it to be not commercially viable.[22][23][24]

Extracurricular activities

[edit]
CBC rugby team at Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament, Global Arena, 2006

The school has been described by the Irish Independent as one of Cork's "rugby union nurseries" and as having "one of Ireland’s oldest and most successful established rugby teams". They have won the Munster Schools' Senior Cup thirty times.[19][25][26][27] The most recent Senior Cup title was in 2020, when the title was "shared" with Presentation Brothers College.[28] CBC also won the 2016 title after defeating Crescent College in the final.[29]

The college's main rivals are Presentation Brothers College, Cork (as the two main fee paying all-boys schools in Cork, both share similar histories, student bases, and sporting and academic traditions). In 2024, CBC Cork lost both the Junior and Senior Cup finals to PBC Cork.[30] Former Munster Rugby centre, Cian Bohane, went on to claim that both schools provided a "seamless transition" to professional rugby.[31] One noted meeting of this pair occurred in 1974, when 'Christians' defeated a 'Pres' team featuring Moss Finn 9-6, sealing CBC Cork's four-in-a-row win of the Cup.[32] In Where Miracles Happen: The Story of Thomond Park, they are noted for dominating these tournaments for most of the 20th century, regularly meeting each other in cup finals.[33] In 1999, the school won its third Senior Cup in a row.[34]

In 2021, the Senior Cup was named after former Munster Rugby CEO and past pupil, Garrett Fitzgerald.[35]

The school has produced numerous Irish Rugby internationals, with some of its earliest, among whom were Harry Jack and Vincent McNamara, predating the First World War.[36] Jimmy McCarthy, regarded contemporaneously as one of Munster and Ireland's greatest-ever rugby players, was also a product of the school.[37][38]

A number of CBC past pupils have been members of the Munster Rugby squad. In the 21st century, this has included (among others) Darragh Hurley, Tomás O'Leary[39] (in 2023, O'Leary was appointed to lead the school's Junior Rugby coaching team),[40][41] Billy Holland,[42] Stephen Archer,[43] Liam Coombes,[44] Alex McHenry,[45] Ross Noonan,[46] Mark Donnelly,[47] John William Ryan,[48] Cian Hurley,[49] Frank Murphy,[50] Ivan Dineen,[51] Duncan Williams,[52] Scott Buckley[53] James Coughlan[54] and Donncha O'Callaghan.[55][56] In August 2024, past pupil and former Munster Rugby player, Rory Burke, died unexpectedly at the age of 30.[57][58]

Former Munster Rugby player and New Zealand 'All Blacks' international, Jason Holland, has served as a member of the school's rugby coaching team.[5][59] In 2024, former Munster Rugby out-half, Jonny Holland, was appointed as the school's rugby performance director.[60][61] In 2023, the Irish Independent stated that the facilities at the school's Lansdowne Sports Complex "are widely regarded as among the best in the country."[40]

The school also participates in other extracurricular activities, including debating,[62] charitable activities and basketball.[63] The school also participates in other sports, including soccer (association football) and GAA (Gaelic football and hurling) - with CBC winning the Junior Cup for soccer in 2003 and 2008,[citation needed] and reaching the final of the Dr. Harty Cup (hurling) in 2019, doing so for the first time in 101 years.[64][65] After establishing a presence in soccer, the school won its first FAI Schools Munster Championship in 2023.[66]

Through several fundraising efforts, including the annual Christmas appeal, CBC supports charities including SHARE, Saint Vincent de Paul, HOPE, Trócaire and Concern.[citation needed] Among the school's charitable activities is the "Zambia Immersion Project", which involves students travelling to Zambia to observe and assist with development work.[2][67]

Notable alumni

[edit]
See also: Category:People educated at Christian Brothers College, Cork

References

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  1. ^ a b "Contact Details". cbccork.ie. CBC. Archived from the original on 14 December 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d "'The aim is for every student to become the best version of themselves' Christian Brothers College, Cork". independent.ie. Independent News & Media. 27 January 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  3. ^ "Private school fees rising due to 'inflation and a lack of government funding' with parents now paying over €10,000 at one school". 8 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Subject Inspection of Latin in Christian Brothers College, Cork". Department of Education and Science. 17 January 2008. Archived from the original on 21 January 2009.
  5. ^ a b Heneghan, Conor (26 February 2013). "Schools Profile: Christian Brothers College Cork". JOE.ie. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  6. ^ Keane, Rory (20 October 2015). "'I would have felt like a fraud if I'd done another year at Munster' -- Donncha O'Callaghan". The 42. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  7. ^ Donald, Sarah Mac (17 November 2013). "President Higgins pays tribute to Christian Brothers in Cork". Catholicireland.net. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  8. ^ "Take a walk on the Victorian Quarter side". corkindependent.com. Cork Independent. 6 April 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  9. ^ a b c "Christian Brothers College marks 125 years". irishexaminer.com. Irish Examiner. 16 November 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  10. ^ Murphy, John A. (2011). Where Finbarr Played: A Concise Illustrated History of Sport in University College Cork, 1911-2011. Cork University Press. p. 89. ISBN 9781906642372.
  11. ^ a b Quinn, Anthony P. (2006). Wigs and Guns: Irish Barristers in the Great War. Four Courts Press. pp. 25, 37. ISBN 978-1-85182-935-4.
  12. ^ "CBC Celebrates a proud 125 year heritage". Irish Examiner. 16 November 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  13. ^ "Christian Brothers College marks 125 years". irishexaminer.com. Irish Examiner. 16 November 2013. Principal Larry Jordan, who joined CBC in 1981 [..] was appointed its first lay principal in 1994
  14. ^ "Families celebrate as seven male students achieve incredible eight H1s in Leaving Cert". independent.ie. Independent News & Media. 15 August 2018. Alex Burke from [CBC] with outgoing principal Larry Jordan and new principal David Lordan
  15. ^ Walshe, John; Hickey, Shane (28 October 2008). "School fees to soar as state aid is cut by €10m". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 5 December 2008.
  16. ^ Shortiss, Eoin (21 August 2023). "Cork TD calls to end private school funding as student numbers reach record high". Cork Beo. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  17. ^ "The Top 25 schools in the country have been revealed". Joe.ie. 30 August 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  18. ^ McCarthaigh, Sean (19 September 2024). "Plans for new building at Cork private school on hold after objection". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  19. ^ a b McCarthaigh, Sean (11 December 2024). "Macroom man withdraws appeal as private school in Cork City gets go-ahead for major extension". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  20. ^ McCarthaigh, Sean (20 February 2020). "Plans for €12.5m redevelopment of Christian Brothers College in Cork put on hold". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  21. ^ "Plans for Cork private school's new building put on hold following fresh objection". BreakingNews.ie. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  22. ^ "Planning sought for extension to Cork school". echo live. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  23. ^ "Planning permission granted for CBC Cork". C103. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  24. ^ "Green light for new school building in Cork city centre". echo live. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  25. ^ "Ryan magic seals title for CBC as brave 'Rock' fall short". Irish Independent. 16 March 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
  26. ^ "O'Flaherty stars in PBC triumph". Irish Independent. 18 March 2010. Retrieved 22 October 2010.
  27. ^ "Cork's Christian Brothers College rugby fundraiser gets global support". Irish Independent. 18 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  28. ^ "Ben O'Connor the hero as late comeback sees PBC break CBC hearts to reach Munster Schools Senior Cup final". independent.ie. 17 February 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2024. These two schools shared the 2020 title due to the Coronavirus pandemic
  29. ^ "Cork's CBC crowned Munster Schools Senior Cup champions". Irish Independent. 13 March 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  30. ^ Barry, Stephen (20 March 2024). "Pres complete double-double with Munster Schools Junior Cup final victory over Christians". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  31. ^ Barry, Stephen (12 March 2024). "Pres and Christians allowing seamless transition to the pro game, says Cian Bohane". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  32. ^ Slattery, Joel (16 March 2019). "Moss Finn on the rugby legends to emerge from PBC-CBC rivalry". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  33. ^ Mulqueen, Charlie; O'Dowd, Brendan (1 October 2015). The Story of Thomond Park. Gill & Macmillan Ltd. ISBN 978-1-84889-513-3.
  34. ^ "CBC Cork hold on for third successive victory". The Irish Times. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  35. ^ Slattery, Joel (25 November 2021). "Munster name Senior Schools Cup after late CEO Garrett Fitzgerald". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  36. ^ a b O'Sullivan, Donal (2010). Sport in Cork: A History. History Press Ireland. ISBN 978-1-84588-970-8.
  37. ^ Scally, John (13 April 2012). Legends of Irish Rugby: Forty Golden Greats. Random House. ISBN 978-1-78057-463-9.
  38. ^ "James McCarthy". www.dib.ie. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  39. ^ a b "Player profiles - Tomás O'Leary". IrishRugby.ie. Archived from the original on 30 April 2011.
  40. ^ a b "Former Ireland and Munster rugby star takes up coaching role at Christian Brothers College, Cork". Irish Independent. 23 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  41. ^ O'Donnell, John (20 December 2023). "Big name returns to CBC as Munster legend continues to build coaching career". Cork Beo. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  42. ^ Munster legend Billy Holland recaps his time with CBC ahead of their Senior Cup final with PBC. Irish Examiner. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2024 – via YouTube.
  43. ^ "A night of mixed emotions for Munster's Stephen Archer". Irish Examiner. 21 November 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  44. ^ Geary, Sean (19 June 2020). "Academy Players Stepping Up | Liam Coombes". Munster Rugby. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  45. ^ Browne, P. J. (19 February 2024). "After rollercoaster time in English rugby, ex-Munster man McHenry loving life in France". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  46. ^ Mcconnell, Jonathan (8 August 2006). "Ross Noonan Receives John McCarthy Award". Munster Rugby. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  47. ^ Slattery, Joel (29 July 2021). "Ireland U20 duo brought into Munster Academy". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  48. ^ "Player". Munster Rugby. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  49. ^ "Irish Rugby | Hurley Promoted From Munster Academy To Senior Squad". Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  50. ^ "Irish Rugby | Meet the Refs: The IRFU's High Performance Referee Panel". Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  51. ^ "The Big Interview - Ivan Dineen". Irish Independent. 27 September 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  52. ^ Newman, Edward (21 April 2017). "Resolute Duncan Williams still pushing for perfection". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  53. ^ "David Corkery on rugby: Scott Buckley was a standout for Munster". echo live. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  54. ^ "Cork's Coughlan calls time on his rugby career in France". echo live. 28 April 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  55. ^ a b Riegel, Ralph (24 December 2009). "Rugby stars line out for Donncha's big day". Irish Independent. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
  56. ^ a b c "Schools Profile: Christian Brothers College Cork". Joe.ie. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  57. ^ "'He will be greatly missed': Former Munster player Rory Burke dies aged 30". echo live. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  58. ^ Treacy, Neil (11 August 2024). "Tributes paid after death of ex-Munster prop Burke". rte.ie.
  59. ^ Moynihan, Michael (9 March 2013). "Michael Moynihan: Midleton always close to Holland's heart". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  60. ^ Donovan, Shane (30 May 2024). "Jonny Holland takes up rugby elite performance director role at CBC". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  61. ^ "'We are excited about the energy he will bring to the role': Former Munster star is new CBC rugby chief". echo live. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  62. ^ "Pages - Debating". CBCcork.ie. Archived from the original on 31 October 2009.
  63. ^ "Clubs and Activities at CBC". CBCCork.ie. Archived from the original on 13 September 2010.
  64. ^ "CBC make first Harty Cup final in over 100 years with impressive win over Thurles". irishexaminer.com. Irish Examiner. 26 January 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  65. ^ "CBC Cork: 'We felt there was room for another hurling school in the city'". Irish Examiner. 16 February 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  66. ^ Thu; Mar, 30; 2023 - 09:11 (30 March 2023). "Christians lift a Munster Soccer title for the first time in their history". echo live. Retrieved 26 December 2024. {{cite web}}: |first2= has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  67. ^ "Website of CBC Zambia Immersion Project". ZambiaProject.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  68. ^ a b c d "President praises Christian Brothers for contribution to education in Cork". Irish Times. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2018. Among the many Corkonians to attend CBC Cork were former Tánaiste Peter Barry, Irish Examiner owner Ted Crosbie, former UCC president Gerry Wrixon, former UL president Ed Walsh and rugby players Donal Lenehan, Noel Murphy and Donncha O'Callaghan
  69. ^ "Retired Missouri bishop dies in home country of Ireland at age 82". National Catholic Reporter. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  70. ^ "Former Munster player Rory Burke dies aged 30". BreakingNews.ie. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  71. ^ "2 cool 4 skool?". Irish Times. 13 November 2007. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  72. ^ "Tributes flow for TD in tragic cliff walk death". Irish Examiner. 16 March 1998. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  73. ^ Séamas de Barra (2006). Aloys Fleischmann. Dublin: Field Day Publications. p. 12. ISBN 9780946755325.
  74. ^ "Bank of Ireland launch FAI Schools season". FAI. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2018. Hull City's David Meyler attended Christian Brothers College, Cork
  75. ^ "Profile - Frank Murphy". Guinness Pro 14. 29 November 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  76. ^ "Resolute Duncan Williams still pushing for perfection". Irish Examiner. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  77. ^ Kinsella, Murray (18 April 2022). "'It was a massive opportunity but I knew it was a life-changer. I've no regrets'". The 42. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
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