Completion Phase I College Development Plan

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The dawn of a new beginning - this is how one member of the Board described the scene in August as he viewed the site where once stood the East Wing of MacNamara House. The builders had now laid the foundations and work was under way in the sixteen and a half million euro development project. The Chairman, Donal O'Brien, breathed a sigh of relief that the project was finally underway. The members of the Governing Body will in future years be given great credit for their foresight in putting together a master plan for the development of the College. They will be given even greater credit for the courage of their convictions in making the decision to go ahead.

In common with all previous development projects in the College the decision to move had to be made before the funds became available. In common with those projects the success or otherwise will depend on the generosity of pastmen, parents, past parents and friends of the College. The decision to go ahead was also greatly encouraged by the magnificent generosity of the Vincentian Province who pledged four million euro as evidence of their commitment to the College. The College owes Fr. Kevin O'Shea CM. a great debt of gratitude for his advice and support during this sensitive and sometimes difficult period.

Parking spaces were a premium as the machinery rolled in and the hoarding was erected. Gradually the steel hulk frame of the 'Link Building' emerged from its murky foundations and today it presents an elegant facade. More importantly, it serves a very practical function in providing a central atrium within which the College reception, accounts office and waiting room are located on the ground floor. It further provides a spacious and welcoming entrance to the College as well as a link, on three levels, between the main building, MacNamara House, and Cregan House. The first and second floors contain three new science laboratories as well as the College staff room with its panoramic view of the crease.

Phase One of the Redevelopment Plan also saw extensive renovation of MacNamara East. The Centenary Corridor (Sixth Year Corridor), Pius and Holy Angels dormitories have been transformed into seven well appointed, bright and well equipped classhalls and a computer room. Those who found themselves 'sent' to the Dean's Office in times past will be interested to note that it will remain in use as an office (albeit less interrogational in ambience!). The former recreational rooms on the first floor have also been renovated as classhalls and the former Housemasters' apartment on the first floor is now the office of the Deputy Principal. Arguably the most impressive feature is the ongoing transformation of St. Mary's dormitory into a spacious art room. Further works are ongoing and include the reinforcement of the floor of the study hall which will house the College library upon completion. The renovation of the 'West Wing' of MacNamara House is underway and is expected to be complete within the next academic cycle.

The Ground Floor of the main building has also seen change. The former library is now a music room while the snooker room has traded its felt-topped tables for the students' computer work stations. Refurbishment of the offices of the Headmaster, Administrator and Union Administrator are also nearing completion.

Cregan House shut its doors in May, exactly fifty years after they were first opened. It is currently being renovated as part of Phase Two of the Redevelopment Plan and will be complete for the beginning of the academic year 2008 / 2009, if not beforehand.

The College Chapel has undergone extensive restoration involving the replacement of the roof, repair and restoration of the ornate ceiling and barrel vaulted timberwork and refurbishment of the organ loft. Restoration of the College organ, the refurbishment of the tabernacle and interior decoration are ongoing elements of the project. The Chapel project has cost €500,000 to date.

Such an ambitious project could not have been undertaken without the generous contributions of various friends of Castleknock; the parents and families of students (past and present), the Union and various pastmen of the College and the Vincentian order, under the leadership of Very Rev. Kevin O'Shea, CM., Provinical, which has stood full-square behind the project since its inception. These truly are exciting times in our College between two hills.