Statement in Response to the Spirit of Garbally Group
Over the past eighteen months, Clonfert College has achieved a remarkably respectful and harmonious unity between the communities in both schools. We have worked together on our name, our mission statement, our policies, our uniform, our crest and colours, all of which are reflective and respectful of both schools.
The amalgamation of St. Joseph’s College, Garbally and Ardscoil Mhuire has been under way for 18 months. It is widely recognised as a model of successful collaboration. Following a comprehensive process of independent consultation and community engagement, the decision was made to amalgamate the schools. From the outset, every effort has been made to include the voices of students, parents, staff, patrons, and the wider community, including alumni, many of whom are parents of current and prospective students from the 21 National Schools in our hinterland. This inclusive process has shaped the foundation, ethos, and direction of Clonfert College.
As a result of this excellent relationship, we have secured many benefits for Clonfert College. We have addressed the practicalities pertaining to amalgamation, such as expanded subject options, timetable scheduling, classroom allocations and commenced progressive digital developments to support students with the redeveloped Senior Cycle. We have secured a Capital Project to develop an extension on the Mackney campus, within six weeks of asking for it. We have secured DEIS status for our school, we are planning our Summer Works programme before September and a school meals contract for all students. We see at first hand the value for us, and for Ballinasloe and its hinterland, in engaging with the Department of Education as a united school, management and workplace.
At the heart of our new school is a shared commitment to inclusivity, parity of esteem, and mutual respect—values deeply embedded in both founding schools and now enshrined in the life of Clonfert College. The amalgamation of Ardscoil Mhuire and St. Joseph’s College has fundamentally succeeded because no single school identity has dominated or subsumed the other. Instead, true unity has come from recognising the worth and contribution of all involved.
Clonfert College is proud to carry forward the rich heritage of both St. Joseph’s College and Ardscoil Mhuire. The unique traditions and deeply rooted values of both schools have greatly influenced the decisions made to date and will continue to inform the journey ahead. The emphasis placed on holistic education, student well-being, academic excellence, and co- and extra-curricular achievement is central to the identity of Clonfert College.
In recent weeks, a sub-committee of the Board of Management met with representatives of the “Spirit of Garbally” group, whose passion for the legacy of St. Joseph’s College is deeply felt and clearly articulated. Their proposal is to preserve the Garbally sporting tradition, by changing the school’s name to “Clonfert College at Garbally Park” and that the new schools’ teams, both girls and boys, would also compete under the colours and name of “Garbally”. Their efforts come from a place of pride and loyalty, which we acknowledge. However, proposals to revisit the name, sporting identity, and school colours of Clonfert College would quite obviously elevate one founding school over the other. This is contrary to the equality, valued partnership and parity of esteem that has carried us together thus far. For that reason, our Board of Management is unwilling to upset the harmonious balance by changing our name.
To prioritise the identity of one founding school over the other would be to depart from the shared spirit in which this new school was created. Our new name, Clonfert College, represents a new beginning—honouring both traditions equally, while embracing a future that is inclusive, progressive, and respectful to past, current and future students – male and female alike. A school’s identity is not held solely in its name or colours but in its people, values, and the relationships that are fostered within its walls. Our sporting traditions are deeply valued but it is not equitable to expect either gender to assume the former sporting identity of the other. For this reason, all teams will participate and be recognised as Clonfert College.
We acknowledge the generous offers of support, mentorship, and sponsorship extended by members of the Spirit of Garbally group. Such goodwill is greatly appreciated and is a welcome demonstration of continued engagement from the alumni of our founding schools. These offers will be brought to the attention of the new Board of Management of Clonfert College, who will consider how best to incorporate such support into the ongoing development at the school.
Clonfert College exists because of the proud histories of both Ardscoil Mhuire and St. Joseph’s College, Garbally. While the external identity may change, the values endure. We remain committed to upholding the traditions, spirit, and heritage of both founding schools in a balanced and forward-looking way. Our focus is to work together to shape a school that while honouring it’s past, embraces the future.
Clonfert College Board of Management