DE LA SALLE COLLEGE IN WATERFORD PHOTOGRAPHED AUGUST 2017
THE DE LA SALLE COLLEGE IN WATERFORD [23 AUGUST 2017]
The De La Salle College in Waterford
De La Salle College in Waterford is an all-boys secondary school with a rich history rooted in the De La Salle Brothers' educational mission. It is a prominent institution in the city, known for its significant building and long-standing presence.
Building and History
The origins of the college can be traced back to the De La Salle Brothers' arrival in Waterford in the late 19th century. They were invited to manage St. Stephen's School, a national school in the city. The main building of the college, however, was originally constructed as a teacher training college for male primary school teachers.
The Brothers purchased Newtown House in 1888, and the impressive Classical-style building was built on its grounds. Designed by Dublin architect William Henry Byrne, the construction was undertaken by local contractor George Nolan. The cornerstone was laid in 1892, and the college officially opened in 1894. This grand structure, with its three storeys, raised basement, and a distinctive tower, is a notable landmark in the city. It features detailed cut-stone and rendered dressings, and an ornate gateway with limestone piers and wrought iron gates. The chapel, described in local press at the time as "an absolute gem," was also a key part of the original design.
The training college operated until 1939 when, due to government policy, the training of lay teachers was centralised elsewhere. For a time, the training of Brothers continued, but the college eventually transitioned. In 1948, it officially reopened as a secondary day and boarding school for boys, a role it continues to fulfil today. The boarding school aspect was phased out in the 1990s.
Location
De La Salle College is located on Newtown Road in Waterford City. The campus is set back from the road in its own grounds, with a tarmacadam drive leading to the main building. Its elevated position and distinctive architecture make it a visible and well-known landmark at the junction of Newtown Road and Park Road.
Current Status
Today, De La Salle College is one of the largest all-boys schools in Ireland, with over 1,000 students. It is a Catholic school operating under the patronage of the Le Chéile Schools Trust. While its history is closely tied to the De La Salle Brothers, the school appointed its first lay principal in 2008.
The college continues to serve as a vital educational institution for the community. It has expanded and modernised over the years, with new extensions and facilities to accommodate the growing student body and curriculum. Despite these changes, the historic main building remains a central and defining feature of the campus, a testament to the school's long history and legacy in Waterford.
The De La Salle College in Waterford
De La Salle College in Waterford is an all-boys secondary school with a rich history rooted in the De La Salle Brothers' educational mission. It is a prominent institution in the city, known for its significant building and long-standing presence.
Building and History
The origins of the college can be traced back to the De La Salle Brothers' arrival in Waterford in the late 19th century. They were invited to manage St. Stephen's School, a national school in the city. The main building of the college, however, was originally constructed as a teacher training college for male primary school teachers.
The Brothers purchased Newtown House in 1888, and the impressive Classical-style building was built on its grounds. Designed by Dublin architect William Henry Byrne, the construction was undertaken by local contractor George Nolan. The cornerstone was laid in 1892, and the college officially opened in 1894. This grand structure, with its three storeys, raised basement, and a distinctive tower, is a notable landmark in the city. It features detailed cut-stone and rendered dressings, and an ornate gateway with limestone piers and wrought iron gates. The chapel, described in local press at the time as "an absolute gem," was also a key part of the original design.
The training college operated until 1939 when, due to government policy, the training of lay teachers was centralised elsewhere. For a time, the training of Brothers continued, but the college eventually transitioned. In 1948, it officially reopened as a secondary day and boarding school for boys, a role it continues to fulfil today. The boarding school aspect was phased out in the 1990s.
Location
De La Salle College is located on Newtown Road in Waterford City. The campus is set back from the road in its own grounds, with a tarmacadam drive leading to the main building. Its elevated position and distinctive architecture make it a visible and well-known landmark at the junction of Newtown Road and Park Road.
Current Status
Today, De La Salle College is one of the largest all-boys schools in Ireland, with over 1,000 students. It is a Catholic school operating under the patronage of the Le Chéile Schools Trust. While its history is closely tied to the De La Salle Brothers, the school appointed its first lay principal in 2008.
The college continues to serve as a vital educational institution for the community. It has expanded and modernised over the years, with new extensions and facilities to accommodate the growing student body and curriculum. Despite these changes, the historic main building remains a central and defining feature of the campus, a testament to the school's long history and legacy in Waterford.