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 Education Although unnamed in a report by the Children’s Ombudsman Emily Logan, the school, who it is claimed turned away a 16 year-old girl because she was pregnant, has been named by today’s Independent as St Joseph’s College, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co Tipperary.
St Joseph’s Secondary School is a privately owned school founded by Co Kerry born Mr Padraig O’Shea, back in the late 1970’s. The school was founded following the closure in 1977 of the Convent of Mercy School, in Borrisoleigh village.
Although now former Principal for some years, Mr O’Shea is understood to remain the current owner / patron of this College, residing close to the stated premises.
Mr O’Shea is regarded locally as a “strong no nonsense disciplinarian,” and is held in high esteem within his catchment area, especially by parents who greatly value the school’s high academic achievements.
Pupils who formerly attended this school include North Tipperary Co Councillor & current Mayor, Michéal Lowry, son of former Fine Gael Minister Mr Mr Michael Lowry, Mr Michael Dwyer, latter shot dead by Bolivian police in 2009 and well known Tipperary County hurlers Seamus Callanan, Brendan Maher, Paddy Stapleton, James Woodlock, Gearoid Ryan, Jody Brennan and David Young.
The school has so far declined to comment on the controversy, however in 2007 an inspection noted in its report, the commitment of staff /teachers at the Secondary School, to obtaining high standards in quality education.
 Civic Reception to celebrate 175 year of St Patrick's College in Thurles. Tonight Thurles Town Council, on behalf of the people of Thurles, held a civic reception to mark the 175th Anniversary of founding of the St. Patrick’s College, began in 1837 here in Thurles, Co Tipperary.
Addressing a large gathering, which included His Grace, Archbishop Dr Dermot Clifford, (Archbishop of Cashel & Emly,) Fr Tomas Fogarty (St Patrick’s College President ), Priests which including Fr Tomas O’Connell, Fr Joeseph Walsh & Fr Martin Hayes, together with Lecturers, Students, Lay Associates and Invited Guests, Thurles Mayor Mr John Kennedy stated:-
“It gives me great pleasure, on behalf of Thurles Residents & Thurles Town Council to welcome you to this reception here in The Source this evening. This evening Thurles Town Council and the people of Thurles have deemed it appropriate to recognise St Patrick’s College on reaching a milestone, that of 175 years, of dedication to Thurles town.
St. Patrick’s College stands alongside Semple Stadium, Hayes Hotel and the Cathedral of The Assumption as ‘flagship,’ buildings in Thurles which are recognised throughout Ireland and even much further afield.
St. Patrick’s College owes its existence to the vision and generosity of Archbishop Patrick Everard, who donated the then significant sum of £10,000 pounds for the purpose of founding a college here in Thurles. The foundation stone was laid on the 6th. July, 1829, by Archbishop Laffan in the presence of Daniel O’Connell and a large gathering. Fr. Thomas O’Connor, a curate in Thurles parish, who was subsequently appointed the first President of the College, was assigned to oversee its construction. Eighteen pupils entered the College on its opening day, September, 1st, 1837.
Continue reading Marking 175 Years Of St Patricks College In Thurles
 “If all the year were playing holidays, to sport would be as tedious as to work.” – William Shakespeare. Well here is a new and unique way to work and play holiday and both at the same time.
Starting on April 20th 2012, a totally new type of ‘Weekend Away,’ will begin taking place here in North Tipperary over the coming months, presented by Sustainable Projects Ireland Limited.
(Click on image for larger poster.)
The Cloughjordan Ecovillage Experience Weekends
Our ecosystem consists of a delicate balance between animals, plants, land, atmosphere and water. To this end it is increasingly important that we have a full understanding of these very important components, on our planet.
We need oxygen to live, yet air pollution is an ever increasing problem and not just in our big cities.
Animals are an important part of our ecosystem and many of our animals are now endangered.
Our landfills leak dangerous chemicals into the ground and our illegal dumping continues to render land useless.
Our trees and plants are needed hold to our soil together, stopping erosion.
All life needs water to live, yet water pollution is a serious problem.
Cloughjordan Eco-Experience will now offer, over a series of weekends, its visitors, a unique opportunity to learn about Green Building, Renewable Energy, Plant life and Gardening.
Over the weekends of April 20th-22nd, May 25th-27th and June 22nd-24th, Cloughjordan Eco-Experience will offer a rich opportunity for you to learn about the many aspects of sustainable living and will give all participants an opportunity to take classes in subjects like Green Building Techniques, Renewable Energy, Food Growing and understanding of Ethical & Fairtrade.
During all of these events, participents can stay on site in Django’s EcoHostel, while you take part in a range of specially prepared tours, presentations, discussions and a real hands-on learning experiences.
Come on your own or come with friends and prepare to take away great ideas and insights back to share with your own community and be assured you will receive a warm welcome in the Ecovillage and from the wider Cloughjordan community.
For further info: Contact Tel: +353 (0)505-42833 or Email: learning@thevillage.ie
 The Spiritan Congregation in Ireland will be the first Catholic male religious order internationally to undergo an audit to establish “the reality of the sexual abuse of children and minors by clergy, religious or church workers.” The Provincial Chapter state that “until a complete picture is known of past and present abuse, from within the church, there can be no possibility of authentic accountability or renewal.”
The present Provincial Leadership Team, supported by the recent Provincial Chapter, state that they believe that only a public audit of the reality of abuse committed by Spiritans can free the Congregation to continue its mission of service among God’s people here in Ireland and overseas. That mission, today, includes the Congregation’s outreach to those who were abused.
This audit, at the Spiritans’ own request, was announced on its website yesterday and will be conducted by the Catholic Church’s National Board for Safeguarding of Children. The audit is expected to take place in May of this year.
Presently the Spiritans’ manage some of the best-known schools in Ireland, e.g. Blackrock College, Willow Park, St. Michael’s College, St Mary’s College, Templeogue College and one of Co Tipperary’s top educational centres, Rockwell College, situated just outside Cashel.
 Church of Ireland schools are small by virtue of the fact that they serve small communities. With present cuts to small schools, Church of Ireland children face losing their schools and their chance to receive an education through their religious ethos.
Batt O’Keeffe, following “unpublished legal advice,” supposedly from the Attorney General, decided that grants for Second level Protestant schools ‘could not continue,’ in 2009. Failure to fund same allowed O’Keeffe to save €2.8m each year, by regularising what he called “an anomaly…whereby Catholic fee-charging schools were not getting certain state grants that were paid to others.”
This imaginary anomaly, discovered by O’Keeffe, had been first recognised and introduced by the late great Donagh O’Malley when he was establishing free education. Mr O’Malley saw the obvious need to give extra funds to minority Protestant schools, in their catering for dispersed communities, while allowing them to continue charging fees. In turn this enabled these schools to distribute a large portion of this State Aid, through grants to underprivileged students.
O’Keeffe’s move struck directly at the disadvantaged and ignored a long-standing commitment by governments to support a dispersed community, which could not access suitable free schools. It was also identified as a step backwards in respect of achieving a more pluralistic educational system. Church of Ireland schools have themselves always been models of pluralistic schools. They have successfully, harmoniously and inclusively accommodated pupils of multiple religious faiths and/or those seeking an alternative to schools under the patronage of the majority faith, for decades.
First let us see what Fine Gael stated while in opposition in 2009, beginning with Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny: “Protestant schools are being ‘got at,’ and we recognise the special position that the Protestant Church has in our society’ and I wants for that position to be maintained.” Well they are now being ‘got at,‘ again, and perhaps North Tipperary Fine Gael TD Noel Coonan might like to take that message back to Mr Kenny and Minister for Education Mr Ruairi Quinn.
Our national TV channels appear to have dismissed as insignificent, the news today, that nine Church of Ireland Bishops strongly criticised cuts to small schools, the latter which they state will have a major and destructive impact on Protestant communities right across the country of Ireland.
Continue reading Church Of Ireland Bishops Criticise School Cutbacks
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