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A Proud Tradition

The Christian Brothers have a long and proud tradition in education in Ennistymon. In 1824, at the request of Rev. Peter O’Loughlin, Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice sent three Brothers to the town. Their mission was to establish a school for the Catholic boys of the area who had no opportunity of receiving any education. Secondary pupils continued to attend classes in the old building until 1970 when a new school was built on the “top of the hill”.

The present school has 12 general purpose classrooms, a Science Laboratory and a fully equipped Computer Room, a Media suite and a lunch and study room In 2007 we acquired the former primary school which has since been converted into a Woodwork Room, and a Technical Graphics Room and a recently upgraded DCG suite.  The facilities in the Parish Community Centre are used for Games and PE and also for whole school gatherings. Outdoor games are played on the school’s playing field. 

The school has a wide range of subjects on offer to its students at both Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle level. The schools offers a well-structured and high quality Transition Year which combines student activities with a range of qualifications including ECDL, first aid, driver theory test etc. Students study the standard seven subjects to Leaving Certificate but are offered the choice of additional subjects should they wish. Students are encouraged to take an eight subject to Leaving Certificate level.

We follow an extensive programme of extra-curricular events. Gaelic Games and are synonymous with CBS Ennistymon. The school has produced many Inter County footballers over the years including Alan Clohessy, Lawrence Healy, David Keane, The Rouines, Niall and Kieran Considine, the O’Keeffes and many more. Today we are proud of our present students and no doubt many of these will feature for Clare teams in the near future. Hurling was only introduced to the school in 2001. Since then the “small ball” has enjoyed great success such as Clare Colleges titles in 2008 and 2009. Past pupil Cathal Malone won an All-Ireland U21 Hurling medal with Clare in 2013. Current Clare county minor star Jason McCarthy is also a past pupil of the school

Since the introduction of Basketball, we have taken part in three All Ireland basketball Finals, U16 and U19 and won the All Ireland Basketball Final in 2010 with an U19 Team.   Basketball has been going from strength to strength, with players involved in Irish Teams and squads and in the North-West Regional Teams. Ciaran Devitt has played on the Irish International team.  A number of our past students have gone on to play basketball at university level. A number of other sports such as golf, soccer and rugby are played in the school.

Our students get involved in a number of community and charity projects. We are also active in the arts, with traditional music, rock music, set dancing and contemporary dance all on offer to the students. We hold an annual Christmas concert and also produce a school magazine each. Since 1995 the school has had a rock club.

At CBS Ennistymon, the ERST charter is lived each day through the interactions between students, teachers, ancillary staff and parents. It is a warm, vibrant, caring community where achievement is expected and supported.