Intrinsic to Clongowes education and with a proud tradition in the fields of arts and culture, the school places strong emphasis on cultural development.

Drama

is regarded as an important component of Clongowes education and is formally taught in Transition Year. Each year, boys from Rhetoric perform a full-length play while other years perform one-act plays or extracts from longer works. Visits to theatre are frequent.

Music

receives much attention with both individual instrument tuition and classroom tuition available. The school choir and orchestra are active and well organised, and set very high standards. They perform two concerts annually and have performed in the National Concert Hall. There is also a schola cantorum for liturgy.

Academy:

Each year, boys from Poetry and Rhetoric are invited by the Headmaster to apply for membership of the Higher Line Academy. If chosen, pupils research and write papers on their chosen topic. When prepared, they then present their papers in lecture style to the pupils of the Higher Line and members of staff. Membership of the Academy is greatly prized. Pupils take their research and presentation very seriously and maintain high standards.

Debating

in the school has a long and distinguished history and has associations with both Daniel O Connell and Thomas Francis Meagher. (It was founded at the behest of Daniel O Connell whose sons attended Clongowes and Thomas Francis Meagher was first secretary of the House Debating Society). Currently, the school participates in inter-school competitions in Irish, English and French and has enjoyed considerable success in all three in recent years.

Art and pottery

are also taught to a high standard.

A film society

and classroom discussions in Media Studies classes encourage pupils to be "media literate" and critical in their views. Good library and video facilities are available.