Clongowes Foundation

The Foundation works with and supports the College in its mission to provide pupils with the highest standards of Jesuit schooling. The principal objective of the Clongowes Foundation, as set out in its Trust Deed is “the advancement of education through the support, maintenance, and development of Clongowes Wood College and through the support of the students attending Clongowes Wood College”

The College’s operating surplus does not meet the School’s investment needs to maintain the past and build for the future. The role of the Foundation is to fund this shortfall thereby allowing the Board of Management to plan appropriately and deliver on its objective of educating young men of “competence, conscience and compassionate commitment.” In the early 2000’s a decision was made to create a separate charity to the College and the Foundation was founded in late 2004.

Since 2004, the Foundation and the College, together, have overseen a significant enhancement of the School’s infrastructure; including the projects detailed below.

The Bellarmine Centre opened as a learning centre for Third Line boys in 2019

A new 25 metre five-lane swimming pool came into service in November 2017 to replace the previous pool which had been in service since 1886

From 2016-2019, a three-year project of refurbishment of the dormitories in the 1929 Building was completed, this included replacement of the windows in an environmentally supportive way and a renovation of the living spaces.

Our most recent development has been the phased renovation and upgrade of the Infirmary including the installation of a lift. It will connect to each floor of the Infirmary, not least the top floor where boys have their physiotherapy sessions. This project was completed in Autumn 2022.  The Infirmary was built in 1872 and was one of a number of buildings overseen by the then Rector, Fr Carbery S.J. The Infirmary is an example of how the foresight of some came to benefit the generations of pupils who followed. It has served the College well for over the past century and a half and shall continue to serve pupils for many decades to come.

The Alberto Hurtado Bursary Programme

From 2007, the introduction of the Alberto Hurtado Bursary Programme (AHP), inspired by the desire to remove barriers to the unique educational experience that a seven-day boarding school can offer has widened access to a Clongowes education.

To date we have had close to 100 boys participating in the programme with 66 graduates and 38 currently attending the College. The Alberto Hurtado Endowment Fund was created in 2020 to secure the Bursary Programme into the future. These achievements could not have taken place without the financial support of some 800 past pupils, parents, friends of the College as well as the Jesuit Community and Province, who have given so generously. Nor could these achievements have taken place without the energy and commitment of those that have worked before us in the Foundation; those that have nurtured the AHP to the success it is today and our Trustees, past and present.

If you would like any information about Clongowes Wood College Foundation or wish to discuss future developments, please contact via the details below.