On Sunday 8th March, a group of Year 13 pupils and staff travelled to Clongowes Wood College to continue a long-standing friendship between our two schools. The visit formed part of a reciprocal exchange following the visit of Clongowes pupils and staff to our Remembrance Service in November.
Our partnership with Clongowes Wood College, a Jesuit boarding school which counts James Joyce among its past pupils, has a long and meaningful history. In 1979, at the height of the Troubles, Clongowes President Fr Philip Fogarty SJ sought to foster Christian understanding and fellowship by reaching out to establish a partnership with Portora Royal School. This connection was largely inspired by Fr John Sullivan SJ, a recently beatified Old Portoran who later went on to teach at Clongowes.
Since then, the friendship between the two schools has continued to grow and deepen, providing many opportunities for pupils and staff to experience the richness and diversity of each other’s traditions and cultures.
Sunday’s visit was an opportunity to continue this cherished tradition for the current generation, strengthening the connections and friendships that were established during our gathering in November. It was a wonderful trip and we are very grateful to our hosts at Clongowes for their warm welcome and generous hospitality.
