St Eunan's College

Antecedent institutions: 1700s–1800s Anthony Coyle, the first Bishop of Raphoe to take up residence in Letterkenny, established a classical academy during the eighteenth century. Then, in the following century, Bishop Patrick McGettigan appointed a priest as a teacher of Greek, Latin and mathematics at a building on Castle Street in 1825. The school was abandoned by the mid-1830s due to a priest shortage and a professor having died. A further school followed during the 1830s, close to the current college, though it too was short-lived, as was another school in the town during the 1840s. In 1849, Bishop McGettigan approved the setting up of a school in the Literary Institute; this would become known as the "Old Seminary" and the "Latin School". This was the final school before the college was established and the longest lasting of its antecedents. Run independently for three decades, in 1879 the Bishop formally placed it under the management of the Catholic Church after the last of various doctors and other men, who had until then run the school, died prematurely. The recently ordained Edward Maguire, then aged 24, was appointed president. Maguire had, by the 1880s, been sent to Maynooth. Patrick McCaffery succeeded him as president; he, in his turn, was succeeded by P. J. Brennan in 1889. J. J. O'Doherty succeeded Brennan as president; O'Doherty then gave way to the last president of the Old Seminary, Hugh Gallagher. As scholar numbers began to outgrow the facilities available at the Literary Institute, Bishop of Raphoe Patrick O'Donnell sought to establish a boarding school to provide a classical education. Diocesan colleges experienced an increasingly favoured stature at the time and were set up to give an unrivalled Catholic education to boys of every class. The college's motto, In hoc signo vinces, meaning "by this sign – (the Cross) – you shall conquer" is derived from the episcopal motto of O'Donnell. Foundation, fire and the national grid: 1904–1944 In 1904, the college's foundation stone was laid on the feast of St Eunan (23 September). With the number of boarders declining under Carr's presidency, some dormitories could be turned into classrooms. Links with other continental schools were also developed, including a school in Perros-Guirec, Brittany in northwestern France. The annual ski trip began in 1997. As with several of his predecessors, McCroary had to deal with the death of a student. He also had to deal with a burglary and a viral pandemic, the latter of which shut the school for six months and caused all examinations to be cancelled. Then, when the school had reopened, the Government shut it and all others in the country for several months again at the start of the following year as the viral pandemic worsened. 2025 brought the death of a teacher. Silver Jubilee The college's silver jubilee occurred in 1931 during Kerr's presidency. The foundation stone for the college's "New Wing" was laid on 23 September that year as part of the events held to mark the occasion. High Mass was held in the nearby cathedral, over which Kerr presided. In his sermon he noted that past students of the college had gone on to become priests or to work in civil or military professions. A banquet was held that evening, at which a toast was proposed to the Bishop of Raphoe, William MacNeely and the hope expressed that he would be alive to witness the Golden Jubilee (he was). The occasion also prompted the establishment of the past students' union. Its meeting and dinner would occur annually for many decades. It vanished during the 1960s. Golden Jubilee The college's golden jubilee occurred in 1956 during Finnegan's presidency. In April that year, Patrick Kerr, College President throughout the 1930s and the first half of the 1940s, and who had since risen to the rank of Archdeacon of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raphoe, died. Events held on Wednesday, 26 September, marked the jubilee. According to the Derry People, "close on three hundred past students...came from all parts of the country, and some from overseas, to do honour to their Alma Mater". One member of the original staff, Denis J. Murray, was still alive and present on the day. As with the earlier jubilee, High Mass was held in the nearby cathedral, this time presided over by a former member of staff, John McMackin (who had by then become a professor of English at the pontifical university of St Patrick's College, Maynooth). A banquet was held that evening in the study hall. According to The Irish Press, a telegram to Bishop MacNeely from the Pope, and which recognised the occasion, was read aloud to those in attendance. Among the other guests were Bishop of Derry Neil Farren and two former students – the then Leas-Cheann Comhairle Cormac Breslin and Minister for Local Government Pa O'Donnell. Also present was Finnegan's predecessor as president, McLoone (based in Killybegs for the previous two years), who returned to Letterkenny on Tuesday 25 September 1956. Head Boy for the centenary year was James McNicholl. Others present amongst the student body during the centenary year included (with class saint for year reference): Seniors: Mark McGowan (Francis), Ross Wherity (Fergal), Michael Murphy (Ernan), Antoin McFadden (Eithne), Seán McVeigh (Elizabeth) Juniors: Cillian Morrison (Catherine), Mark English (two years before the Transition Year that would see him take up running; Benedict), Caolan Ward (Bartholemew), Other events took place throughout the academic year. These culminated in the College Centenary Golf Classic at Letterkenny Golf Club on Sunday 8 April 2007. The professional golfer Paul McGinley – recently seen further south at the Ryder Cup, and whose father Mick studied at the college and was part of the 1956 MacRory Cup-winning team – launched the College Centenary Golf Classic. McGinley provided two prizes for the event: a set of TaylorMade golf clubs and one of his 2006 Ryder Cup sweaters. ==Governance==

The college was founded on a Roman Catholic basis, under the trusteeship of the Bishop of Raphoe. It serves approximately 900 students – from Letterkenny and its surrounding area – and is one of the few remaining all-male schools in northwestern Ireland. From its foundation until 2004, a single manager oversaw the college. Government regulation of education obliged the college to comply with the terms of the 1998 Education Act and the Education and Welfare Act, 2000. In 2004 the college's management structure was altered and a board of management established in place of the single manager. The college continues to be under the trusteeship of the Bishop of Raphoe. Women have been among the staff since 1929. Between 1929 and 1991, first requested by McCaul during his presidency, two Sisters of Mercy were appointed to the staff of the college. One of the women served as matron and tended to the health of the college's students. The other woman was director of domestic affairs in the college kitchens. The college employed a female secretary in 1981. List of presidents There have been 14 presidents of the college since its foundation. All but two were members of the teaching staff before being appointed to the college presidency; the exceptions being Patrick Kerr (POSEC4) and Christopher Darby (POSEC13). Two presidents have died in office; these are denoted with a . Six presidents had themselves been educated at the college; these are highlighted . • Edward Maguire (1906–1910) • Michael Ward (1910–1919) • Patrick D. McCaul (1919–1929) • Patrick Kerr (1929–1944) • (1944–1954) • Christopher Finnegan (1954–1960) • (1961–1969) • (1969–1971) • (1971–1982) • (1982–1988) • Cathal Ó Fearraí (1988–1996) • (1996–2009) • Christopher Darby (2009–2019) • Damien McCroary (2019–present) ==Buildings and grounds==

The college was designed by Irish architect Thomas Francis McNamara, attached to the firm of W. H. Burne and Co. The Belfast firm, Messrs Laverty and Co., were contracted to carry out the job. The cost of the building was approximately £22,000. A three-storey edifice resembling a medieval keep, it has been called "the castle on the hill". The outline of a subterranean toilet block parallel to the College Chapel, which was used until the mid-1930s, can still be seen today. On Saturday 21 October 2017, the class of 1962–67 (featuring future Member of Cabinet Jim McDaid) held a reunion at the college, which began with a service in the College Chapel to remember the eight who were absent due to death. Two plans were drawn up, but an approach was never finished. As per planning regulations, the school installed a set of ramps and two chair-lifts. To serve first-year students, three prefabs were installed in summer 2008; these were followed by four ancillary prefabs in summer 2010. The first playing field opposite the college was completed during the presidency of McLoone. Minister for Education Joe McHugh, in whose constituency the event took place, was among other dignitaries in attendance. ==College structure==

The college comprises two houses. The first consists of the Junior Certificate (students of the first three years) and the second of Leaving Certificate (students of the final two years). Each year is divided into form classes, named (usually) in honour of an Irish saint. These typically correspond with the year of the form class; for instance, an incoming first-year student would find himself in a class beginning with the letter A. The following illustrates each form class in use during the centenary year of 2006–07 (they may lessen or increase accordingly, depending on student numbers), and is included here as a reference point to notable students mentioned in the "Centenary" section above. The Saint Eunan is not used, though he would fit the scheme for year one of the leaving certificate. ==Academic==

Junior and Leaving Certificate students usually undertake pre-test examinations (MOCKs) each February or March or April, whilst the final examinations follow in June. The college is one of only 18 schools in the county that offers the LCA programme. Transition Year is available if desired and has been since 1979. with some success experienced during the 21st century. The college sends teams to contest the All-Ireland Higher Maths national finals, a competition for higher-level students of mathematics. The college won a gold medal in 1999 and a silver medal in 2007. The college represented also at the 2007 International Mathematical Olympiad in Hanoi. They are regular competitors in the All-Ireland Final. ==Sport==

Football "Football" for much of the college's history has meant Gaelic football, and Gaelic football only. This is due to the Gaelic Athletic Association's Rule 27, a former rule in the GAA's Official Guide which forbade members from playing or attending foreign sports. The college has several national titles. It has a history of contesting the MacRory Cup, going back to finals in the 1950s and 1960s. Tony McKenna, captain of the college's 1956 MacRory Cup Final opponents St. Macartan's, has stated the 1956 team "Must have been the greatest team ever not to win the MacRory". John Wilson trained the team that reached the final of the 1961 MacRory Cup, though he departed for a teaching post at Gonzaga College midway through the year and a young Michael Cullen replaced him as team trainer. Wilson had previously been credited with overseeing a college victory over St Patrick's (an occasion that marked the first time any team from County Donegal defeated a team from County Cavan). Before Wilson departed, he lived at 2 College Row. With the house vacant, staff members Hugh Duffy and Michael Kerr moved in. In 1969, Kerr took over 1 College Row and became the college's vice-president the same year. Kerr was the country's first lay vice-present. Hugh Duffy served as president of ASTI. In 1979, a college team managed by Paddy Tunney and featuring repeat Leaving Certificate student Charlie Mulgrew won a MacLarnon Cup against De La Salle by a scoreline of 0–11 to 0–7. They then won an All-Ireland Colleges B Final against St. Fintan's of Sutton, Dublin – a game played in Tullamore and ending in a scoreline of 2–6 to 2–5. This was noteworthy as Donegal's first title at All-Ireland level. Gordon's first year in charge brought immediate success; the college team winning a MacLarnon Cup. The college won the Ulster Herald Cup in 2004, its first Herald Cup title in 25 years. The college football team reached the 2007 All-Ireland B Colleges Football Final. That campaign went as follows: On 25 March 2007, the college defeated Rathmore by a scoreline of 1–9 to 2–3 at Casement Park in Belfast (they had travelled there six days earlier only for the match to be postponed). This brought the team to the semi-final in which they defeated Rice College of Westport. St Mary's of Edenderry were the college's opponents in the All-Ireland Final at Breffni Park in Cavan on 21 April 2007. A penalty save by St Eunan's goalkeeper John Carr ensured the match went to extra-time but the team lost by a scoreline of 2–12 to 0–14. This encouraged the college to again contest the MacRory Cup (i.e. the "A" competition); The team reached the semi-final of the 2008 MacRory Cup, in which St Michael's College of Enniskillen overcame them by a scoreline of 1–17 to 0–7 on 22 February 2008. Teachers at the college involved in the Gaelic Athletic Association include All-Ireland winning footballer Colm McFadden, Glenswilly and Donegal under-20 county football team manager Gary McDaid, During the twentieth century, three students played senior inter-county football while attending the college; these were Seamus Hoare, Martin Carney and Paul McGettigan. In total, seven students have achieved Ulster All Stars while playing for the college. These are, with their years of attendance included, as follows: Sean McEwen (1987–1992 – left corner back 1992), Hugh Brendan Kerr (1992 – 1998 left corner back 1998), Mark McGowan (2001–2007), Michael Murphy, Ciaran Cannon, Shaun Patton and Cormac Callaghan. Colm McFadden, Neil Gallagher, Rory Kavanagh and Michael Boyle – all of whom played for the college football team – played for the Donegal county football team during its most successful period, each winning a National Football League title in 2007, an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 2012 and several Ulster Senior Football Championships along the way. Michael Murphy – the future All-Ireland winning Donegal team captain – also captained his school team. The college were MacRory Cup semi-finalists in 2008 with a team featuring Murphy, and were quarter-finalists in 2015 with a team featuring Conor Morrison and Niall O'Donnell. The relative lack of success of the college – and hence Donegal, as it is the county's foremost competitor – in the MacRory Cup has been explained by Declan Bonner as follows: "The main reason... is because some of the big schools in the north take in a huge amount of students, and can boast players from up to ten to twelve clubs sometimes. In contrast, St Eunan's only take their players from about seven schools and even at that, they wouldn't be getting all the best players from those areas". Association football With Gaelic football the college's dominant sport, the development of association football was deterred by the Gaelic Athletic Association's Rule 27. It could not, therefore, become an "official" extracurricular activity at the college until the early 1970s. An illicit soccer league did, however, operate at the college and students even successfully convinced one of the priests who was a professor at the college to act as referee – provided that they lift the ball and play the Gaelic way in the event that less lenient members of the teaching clergy should wander by. Since these early experiments with the game, the college has achieved several titles at national level. The first success at national level was the defeat of Saint Joseph's, Fairview, by 1–0 in the final of the 1978 FAIS Junior Cup held at Tolka Park. 1979 brought the college's first senior title at national level, with the team defeating Dublin's Beneavin College by 2–0 in the final of the FAIS Senior Cup held at Terryland Park. The college won national senior titles in consecutive years in the mid-1980s. The 1985 team – led by Michael Houston – defeated Beneavin by 3–0, while a penalty shoot-out at Belfield Park decided 1986 in the college's favour. Consecutive national senior titles also came in the mid-2000s. The 2004 team defeated De La Salle College Waterford, by 3–0 in the final at Belfield, while the 2005 team (featuring Michael Boyle, Ciaran Greene and, as a 79th-minute substitute, Mark McGowan) comprehensively defeated a Tallaght outfit by 4–1, also at Belfield Park. The 2004 senior victory was accompanied by under-16 and under-14 titles, the former defeating Summerhill College of Sligo by 1–0 after extra time, while Ollie Horgan managed the latter side to victory in Mullingar. Horgan went on to become manager of the Republic of Ireland schoolboys team and also of Finn Harps, leading the latter team to the League of Ireland Premier Division (the top flight of Ireland's football league system). Former Finn Harps player and manager Charlie McGeever was also a member of the teaching staff. Michael Cullen oversaw the college's participation in the Aer Lingus Golf Championship during the 1970s. Peter Hickey became the professional at Cork Golf Club. During the 1980s, the college played in the Ulster Matchplay Championships and the Derryveagh Crystal Golf Championship. The college won the Donegal Schools' Championship at senior and junior levels in 1993. The senior team won again in 1994. Four more senior Championship and League titles followed during the 1990s, as well as two in 2000 and 2001. Conrad Logan, who would go on to become a professional footballer in the English Football League, featured in those last two at the turn of the millennium; indeed, Logan's chip and putt sealed the 2001 win. Stephen Sweeney, who went on to become a club professional from Royal County Down Golf Club, played alongside Logan in 2001. Led by team captain Michael Cullen, the college entered and won the 1995 Donegal Teachers' Championship, with a team also consisting of Jimmy Ward, Edward Harvey, Pat Hickey, Paraic O'Dowd and Tommy Nangle, the winner of the individual award. Other Mark English – described by Jerry Kiernan as Ireland's "greatest talent" in middle-distance running – was a student at the college. English only made the switch to athletics during his Transition Year, a testament to the success of that experiment which was first made available to students in 1979. The college is competitive in swimming. Hurling, a sport at which Donegal teams are not traditionally dominant, has had teams from the college progress to the semi-finals. The college has a rugby union team, re-established in the 2007–08 academic year after many years of absence. It started playing competitive rugby against other schools in the county and developed under-14, under-16 and ultimately under-18 squads. All age categories compete in their respective Donegal Schools Cup competitions against other schools: Abbey VS (Donegal), Carndonagh CS, Coláiste Ailigh, Coláiste Cholmcille (Ballyshannon), Loreto (Milford), Mulroy College (Milford), Rosses CS (Dungloe), St Columb's College (Derry) and Saint Columba's College (Stranorlar). The college won the first rugby silverware in its history in January 2014, by defeating Saint Columba's College Stranorlar to win the Senior (U18s) Donegal Schools Cup. The college won a national basketball title in 2020. ==Musicals, operas, operettas and other performances==

The college has a rich operatic tradition dating back to its foundation. The first performance held there was of Finnola or The Borrowed Bride, a piece penned by a Loreto sister especially for the Aonach of 1906 (a final fundraising event at the newly opened College). Operas and operettas were staged in the Recreational Hall after its completion. A partial record of college performances of the operettas and Gilbert and Sullivan operas is extant. An early performance Gilbert and Sullivan years Operettas Return to Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas Musicals ==Computer club==

Participants in the "Computer Club" of the 1980s included Neil Gordon (who would later teach at the college, organise annual ski trips abroad and manage the football team) and Kevin Gillespie (later Monsignor and Cathedral Parish Administrator). Gordon's inaugural presentation was called "Fuel Consumption", an early indication of where his future interests would lie. The "Computer Club" soon vanished though, as its main activities were absorbed into the curriculum. Damien Blake, who later became the youngest-ever mayor of Letterkenny, set up the school's first website. ==Other clubs==

Others include clubs dedicated to books, cinema and games. ==Overseas expeditions==

Each year since the late twentieth century, teachers and students alike head for a ski resort during the holidays. The first trip, to Andorra, was organised in 1997. The 2008 trip, when Neil Gordon led a troupe of skiers to the United States, proved eventful – the Airbus craft bringing them home experienced motor difficulties in mid-flight and had to return to Logan International Airport after several hours in the air. The aborted flight received coverage in national media, such as The Irish Times. The college has taken part in several foreign exchange programmes involving schools in Brittany and Vienna. Many European students have also availed of the education offered by the college – coming from as far as Spain, France and Austria. ==Notable staff==

• Poet James Finnegan joined the staff in 1977. • Ollie Horgan – the manager of Finn Harps and the Republic of Ireland national schoolboy football team joined the teaching staff in 1989 and taught mathematics and P.E.E. until his death in 2025. • Mickey Houston – the football manager and Donegal selector joined the staff in 1979. • Gary McDaid – the former manager of both Glenswilly and the Donegal under-20 county football team has taught P.E.E. since joining the staff in 2002. • Colm McFadden – the All-Ireland winning Gaelic football All Star taught mathematics • Charlie McGeever – taught P.E.E. between 1992 and 2002, managed Finn Harps to the 1999 FAI Cup Final while doing so, then moved to Clonmel • William MacNeely, who spent 40 years as Bishop of Raphoe between 1923 and 1963, was appointed to the staff of the college after his ordination. • Caolan Ward – the Ulster Senior Football Championship winning Gaelic footballer was teaching there when he retired from playing inter-county football in 2025. • John Wilson – previously All-Ireland winning Gaelic footballer with Cavan (known while a member of staff as "Big Johnny") ==Notable alumni==

Broadcast media • Pat Gibson – won the UK version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (2004); won Mastermind (2005); won the BBC Radio 4 quiz show Brain of Britain (2006); won Mastermind Champion of Champions (2010); features as the Seventh Egghead on Eggheads • Declan Harvey – BBC News television and radio broadcaster • Gary O'Hanlon – food ambassador who has appeared on Four Live, MasterChef Ireland and The Restaurant Business • Conrad Gallagher – Michelin star-winning chef; cooked for President of the United States Bill Clinton, listed in ''Who's Who'' Clergy and vocations • John Dominic Crossan – New Testament scholar and co-founder of the Jesus Seminar • Kevin Gillespie – Monsignor with ties to two Popes • Séamus Hegarty – Bishop of Raphoe (1982–94); Bishop of Derry (1994–2011) • James McDyer – Canon • Seán Rooney – soldier killed while serving on the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission in Lebanon in 2022 Literature • Seosamh Mac Grianna – writer • Niall Ó Dónaill – lexicographer Performance • Ray McAnally – actor • John Nee – actor Politics • Cormac Breslin – Ceann Comhairle (1967–73) • Neil Blaney – Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (1957); Minister for Local Government (1957–66); Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries (1966–70); Father of the Dáil (1987–95) • Jimmy Harte – Senator (2011–15) • Paddy Harte – Minister of State at the Department of Posts and Telegraphs (1981–82) • Dessie Larkin – Member of Donegal County Council (1999–2014) and Mayor of Letterkenny • John Logue – former president of the Union of Students in Ireland • Don Lydon – Senator (1987–2007) and psychologist • Jim McDaid – Member of the Ahern Cabinet (1997–2002) • Bernard McGlinchey – Political strategist and Senator (1961–83) • Pa O'Donnell – Minister for Local Government in the Second Inter-Party Government under Taoiseach John A. Costello Sports • Tony Blake – inter-county footballer • Michael Boyle – All-Ireland winning inter-county footballer and coach • Brendan Devenney – inter-county footballer • Sean Ferriter – inter-county footballer • Neil Gallagher – All-Ireland winning inter-county footballer; captained the Donegal senior football team to the 2007 National Football League title • Dale Gorman – midfielder with Stevenage and Leyton Orient • Ciaran Greene – inter-county footballer and soccer player • Seamus Hoare – inter-county footballer • Rory Kavanagh – All-Ireland winning inter-county footballer • Manus Kelly – rally driver and three-time winner of the Donegal International Rally • Conrad Logan – goalkeeper with Leicester, Stockport, Luton, Bristol Rovers, Rotherham, Rochdale, Hibs, Mansfield, Forest Green and Anstey Nomads • Antoin McFadden – All-Ireland winning inter-county footballer • Colm McFadden – All-Ireland winning inter-county footballer • Gary McFadden – All-Ireland winning inter-county footballer • Paul McGettigan – inter-county footballer • Mick McGinley – inter-county footballer; father of professional golfer Paul, who starred at the 2002 Ryder Cup and captained the winning 2014 Ryder Cup team • Mark McGowan – inter-county footballer • Kevin McMenamin – inter-county footballer • Seán McVeigh – inter-county hurler; captained the Donegal senior team to victory in the 2020 Nicky Rackard Cup • Cillian Morrison – inter-county footballer and soccer player • Conor Morrison – inter-county footballer • Charlie Mulgrew – All-Ireland winning inter-county footballer • Shaun Patton – inter-county footballer • Kevin Rafferty – All-Ireland winning inter-county footballer • Tommy Ryan – All-Ireland winning inter-county footballer • Caolan Ward – inter-county footballer • Ross Wherity – inter-county footballer ==See also==