St Peter's College, Wexford

St Peter's College, Wexford is an Irish secondary school and former seminary located in Summerhill, over looking Wexford town. It is a single sex school for male pupils. Currently its school population is approximately 650. The current principal is Mr. Pat Quigley.

History

Founded in 1811 by Most Rev. Patrick Ryan, Bishop of Ferns, the College has progressed from a humble Roman Catholic Seminary in Michael Street, Wexford to the present magnificent buildings. In 1818, the large house at Summerhill was purchased and Bishop Ryan blessed the foundation stone of an extension to be constructed to the rear of the house. In 1819, Bishop James Keating opened the new college and the President, staff and student body of Michael Street took up residence. Expansion occurred for years afterwards and the impressive facade with its distinctive tower and the chapel designed by Augustus Welby Pugin were constructed. In 1938, due to increasing numbers of students, a seminary wing was added to facilitate this. This wing is now occupied by the Wexford Campus of Institute of Technology, Carlow. The Seminary closed in 1999 and new construction work was completed in 2001. funding has been granted for another new building including many specialist rooms for physics and technical graphics computer(CAD) rooms, that will link the new school complex to the old building.

port

The college has a proud Gaelic Athletic Association tradition with All Ireland glory in hurling in 1968. Other successes include Leinster Hurling and Football championships but success in recent years has been limited, although the college won the Junior Leinster Hurling Final 2007/8. The school has teams in basketball, handball and many other sports.

Power Park

Power Park, the all-weather pitch commemorates the name of Ned Power - former Vice-Principal - who did so much to promote drama and games, not only in the College, but also in County Wexford..Decisions were taken to close the boarding school 1997 and the Seminary in 1998. The Patron allocated a portion of the available rooms to the Secondary School. Substantial refurbishment of these buildings and the construction of a new extension was made possible through funding from the Department of Education & Science.

Notable alumni

* John Banville
* Neil Horan
* James Ryan
* Colm Tóibín
* Des Bishop - American-Irish Comedian
* Sam Watters

References

External links

[http://www.stpeterscollege.ie/index.php School's home page]

[http://kilmoregenealogy.com/hidden_wexford_genealogy/index2.htm Hidden Wexford Genealogy - 1901 & 1911 census, St Peter's]