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DE LA SALLE BROTHERS IN EDUCATION IN DOWN
ST PATRICK’S PRIMARY SCHOOL Three De La Salle Brothers arrived in Downpatrick to administer education to the John Street school under the principalship of Br Berchan O’Donnell.
As a consequence of increasing numbers a new school was opened under the principalship of Br Gildas. Some 280 primary school boys processed from the Edward Street School to the new primary school in St Dillion’s Avenue. In 1995 Mr Hugh Kelly succeeded Br John McTernan.
ST PATRICK’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL
The High School as it was then known opened in a terrace house in Irish Street under the principalship of Br Alexius. An entrance examination was held and 42 pupils were enrolled. Ten other boys were admitted later. A site for a new School was purchased in Saul Street. Dr Mageean, Bishop of the Diocese formally opened the school. Following an inspection by the Ministery of Education the school was recognised as efficient and became eligible for grants.2001 Br Fergus McArdle outgoing Principal was succeeded by Dermot Mullan, the first lay principal.
DE LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL September 21 the first Catholic secondary school in Northern Ireland for the first time opened its doors in Edward St. with Brother Andrew Gallagher as Principal. With 180 pupils and eight of a staff the new St Patrick’s Secondary Intermediate school evolved at a very impressive rate. With the raising of the school leaving age to 15 and then 16 the school was becoming too small for the numbers and lacked appropriate playing facilities.
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