If great schools are judged by what they achieve on and off the field, then the record of O’Connell School is one of distinction.

Called after Ireland’s famous son Daniel O’Connell, it was destined for fame when a massive crowd of 100,000 turned up for the official opening on the 9th June 1928.

In no time O’Connell became a beacon of hope and over the years it produced a number of scholars, sportsmen and politicians.

1916 Rising
A comparison between four Christian Brothers’ schools in Dublin reveals that in 1916, of those who took part in the rising, thirty were past pupils of Synge Street, twenty-four were from St Joseph’s Marino, thirty were from Westland Row and one hundred and twenty-five were from O’Connell Schools. Three former pupils, Eamon Ceant, Con Colbert and Sean Heuston were executed for their part in the 1916 rising.

Golden Years
The heydays were 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. The curriculum of the school was typical of other CBS with emphasis on Maths, Irish, English and History. Discipline was strict but fair and personal development of the pupils was all-important. The ability to lead, plan, organize and influence others was instilled at an early age. There was an emphasis on good manners and a respect for your elders. In 1963 the new primary and secondary schools were opened.

The school can claim four prominent people in public life who graduated from the old buildings: two presidents, Sean T O’Kelly and Cearbhall O’Daligh and two Taoiseachs, John A Costello and Sean Lemass. Others in the literary world included Tom Kettle, Oliver St Gogarty and Tom Kinsella. It provided a studio of well-known broadcasters such as, Michéal O Hehir, Sean Óg O’Ceallaghain, Michéal O’Muircheartaugh (teacher), Jim Sherwin and Pat Kenny.

Ronnie Delaney
Undoubtedly the greatest sportsman out of O’Connell’s and from St John’s Road, Sandymount, Ronnie Delaney was the winner of an Olympic Gold Medal in the 1500 metres at Melbourne in 1956. His astounding performance lifted a nation when the country was going through a depressing period. Recently, this writer presented him with four mint stamps which were issued in 1956 by the Australian stamp authority to commerate the games.

Gaelic Games
The school has a special niche in the annals of the GAA and has contributed enormously to Dublin hurling and football. Two club hurlers, Mick Bohan and Larry Shannon, were on the Dublin Senior Team so narrowly beaten by Tipperary in the 1961 All Ireland Final. Both players are included in the ‘Team of the Century’, chosen by the club members.

In football, the panel chose Robbie Kelleher and Tony (Scout) Hempenstall, a popular choice though likely to provoke debate in the clubhouse soccer. Eoin Hand, later to be both Irish soccer international and manager, won league and championship medals with the 1962 and 1963 under-16 panels and went on to win the under-21 championship with the 1967 team.

Golf
Joe Carr (Sutton GC) Winner of 3 British Amateur Opens from 1953-1960, and runner-up twice.
Rugby

Around the mid-forties a group of senior students formed a Rugby Club and quickly immersed itself in controversy.

The Brothers frowned on ‘Foreign Games’ and decided to give it a short existence. After it disbanded the northsiders joined Clontarf RFC and some of the Southsiders joined Railway Union, including Harry Gale, one of the giants of the club. His achievements on the rugby field are legendary, and in administration he was president, chairman, team secretary and captain of the club. In 1974 the Rugby Club elected Harry Gale a life member.

Chess
In the 50s Paul Cassidy was up there with the best and later became chess columnist with the ‘Irish Independent’.

Library
The Allen Library holds a large collection of archives, letters, documents, photographs and other memorabilia and a book collection of thirty thousand volumes spanning all aspects of Irish social political and cultural history.

Much has changed and the school is now catering for the educational needs of the inner-city and a high ratio of immigrants– 35 nationalities. Under the tutelage of Michael Finnuacne, Principal of the Secondary School, Patsy O’Keefe, Principal of the Primary School and the Staff, the school is in safe hands. The hard work and dedication of these tutors will ensure that the pupils will be well prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.