C.B.S-A Short History
Dungarvan C.B.S was founded in 1807. It is the third oldest CBS school in the world. Br Ignatius Mulcahy was sent to open the school. He rented a store in Main Street. 200 boys presented themselves for class. In 1811 a small farm was purchased in Shandon.This is near Fraher Field GAA grounds. A school and monastery were built. The numbers on the rolls rose to 300. No fees were paid by the poverty stricken parents. This was a radical Christianity at its best. A limestone plaque was erected in the 1950s with the following inscription:-'After opening their third school in tSraid Mor, Dungarvan, in 1807, the Christian Brothers founded this school house in 1811, where they taught until 1835'.
The main objectives of the Irish Christian Brothers were (1) to foster the development of the Catholic faith and (2) through education lift the poor out of the abyss of despair which permeated Irish society at this time. In this they were spectacularly successful.
It is particularly noticeable that that the Brothers played a major role in the fight against cholera which ravaged Dungarvan and its hinterland in 1830.Their home and school were turned into a hospital to care for the sick and dying. During the Famine they worked tirelessly to aid the starving.
The 'Old School' at the present location dates back to 1836. A new monastery was built at this site in 1856.
A new school was opened in 1982. The growth in the student numbers necessitated the renovation of the 'Old School' which is now once more in use. Surely testimony to the success of C.B.S Dungarvan.
In 1992 the Christian Brothers departed from Dungarvan having spent 185 fruitful years here. The school has now got a lay principal. We are proud of our strong Christian ethos and wish to maintain the strong Christian principles bequeathed by the Brothers.The school provides a holistic approach to education. Whilst recognising the paramount importance of examination results we endeavour to develop the whole person. The large student intake in First Year is testimony to the success of this policy.
.Happy Students
Two past pupils of Dungarvan C.B.S represented the Waterford Constituency in Dail Eireann. Austin Deasy (F.G) was elected in 1977 and served until 2002. He was also Minister For Agriculture from 1982-1987. Tom Kyne (Labour) represented the Constituency from 1948-1969. Lt.Cmdr.Charles J Lawn was Aide de Camp to Charles J Haughey. John A Mulcahy the wealthy US industrialist was educated at Dungarvan CBS.