| Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
Limerick, Ireland | |
| Information | |
| Former name | Laurel Hill Convent |
| Type | Secondary school |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Catholic |
| Established | 1840s |
| Founder | Marie Madeleine Victoire de Bonnault d'Houet |
| Principal | Aedín Ní Bhriain (Aideen O'Brien) |
| Gender | Girls only |
| Enrollment | 400+ (2019) |
| Language | Irish |
| Website | laurelhillcolaistefcj |
Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ (Irish: Coláiste Cnoc na Labhras), formerly known as Laurel Hill Convent, is an all-girls secondary school in Limerick, Ireland where all subjects are taught in Irish (gaelcholáiste).The school has around 400 students and has been ranked the top secondary school in Ireland for six years in a row.
History
The school was founded in the 1840s by Sisters Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ) and was known as Laurel Hill Convent.[1] In 1935 the school switched to teaching all subjects in Irish[2][3] when there was a push by the government to revive the Irish language through schools.[4]
Academic results
For six years straight, 2014–2019, The Sunday Times Best Schools Guide ranked Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ as the top secondary school in Ireland with 95.2% of its students going on to university.[5][6][7]
Extra-curricular activities
The choir has won a number of awards at choral festivals.
Hockey plays a major role, with a number of students on the Munster and national panels.
The school also has a competitive bridge team which competes in the all Ireland bridge tournament in Galway every year.
Notable alumnae
- Neasa Hourigan, Green Party politician
- Detta O'Cathain, Baroness O'Cathain, Irish-born British life peer[8]
- Dolores O'Riordan, lead singer of The Cranberries[2]
- Kate O’Brien, writer[8]
See also
- Education in the Republic of Ireland
- Gaeloideachas — Irish national organisation supporting the development of Irish-medium immersion schools
References
- ^ Ahern, Richard. "Laurel Hill: A French Foundation" (PDF). Limerick City and County Council. The Old Limerick Journal. pp. 2–4.
- ^ a b "Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ top Irish school for the fifth year in a row | Limerick.ie". Limerick City and County Council..
- ^ "Stair an Choláiste / History of the School". Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ.
- ^ Sheppard, Barry (2 August 2012). "The Gaelic League in the Irish Free State in the 1920s and 1930s – The Irish Story".
- ^ Quann, Jack (29 September 2019). "Limerick school named 'Ireland's best' for record sixth year". Newstalk.
- ^ "Limerick's Laurel Hill is Ireland's top school". Limerick Post. 31 August 2014.
- ^ "Laurel Hill Coláiste Fcj, Cnoc Na Labhras, Luimneach | The Irish Times Feeder Schools". The Irish Times.
- ^ a b Moroney, Paddy (1994). "Sisters mark 150th year in Limerick" (PDF). Limerick City and County Council. General News. p. 1.
External links