Special celebration to mark 150 years of 'iconic' building
St. Patrick’s College opened 150 years ago
This Tuesday, March 12, will mark the opening of St. Patrick’s College 150 years ago.
Described locally as an 'iconic building', it which served as a college up to its relocation 2012 and now houses the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre, since 2005.
Bishop Martin Hayes will be the principal celebrant of a special Mass to commemorate this milestone anniversary in the Cathedral of Saints Patrick & Felim, Cavan on Saturday, March 16 at 11am.
St Patrick’s College was opened as a seminary on March 12, 1874 replacing St. Augustine’s Seminary.
On that historic day, 83 students moved into the building as boarders. Originally, clerical students studied for the priesthood and lay students received secondary education. A total of 39 students were ordained to the priesthood between 1877 and 1886.
In June 2000, the college officially ceased to be a boarding school and three years later in 2003, renovation works – costing in the region of €2.5m began on the building which now houses the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre.
The Centre began functioning in January 2004 and became fully operational in early 2005.