Ard Scoil Ris started out in the O’Brien Institute, which functioned as a private school, in 1969. Under the principalship of Br. Carberry, the new school incorporated the existing second-level students from the old school and day pupils from the surrounding area. Old dormitories were converted into classrooms and an old reception room became the staff room. 6 prefab classrooms were added in 1970 and 1971 as the school’s intake grew.
In early 1972 builders started on a site next to the O’Brien Institute and by September of that year the new school building had taken shape. It was officially opened on 21 November 1972 by Eamon deValera. At this stage the school had grown, with 450 pupils and 25 staff. Through the decade the school continued to prosper under the stewardship of the Christian Brothers and the highlight for many came with victory in the All-Ireland Colleges Football Championship in May 1979. Ard Scoil became the first Dublin school in over twenty years to bring the Hogan Cup, the Blue Riband of colleges football, back to Dublin. The achievement is all the more noteable in that no Dublin school has managed to do it since.
In 1984 a new wing was added with dressing rooms, showers, a Library and Audio-Visual Room. The school continued to excel on the sports field and most students went on to third level education. Indeed, one rarely meets an Ard Scoil student who hasn’t either gone on to college or secured a good job for himself!
In 1998 the long cherished dream of a new sports hall became a reality. The efforts of literally thousands of people who fundraised over the last twenty years can be seen in the new hall, which is a huge addition to the P.E. and games departments. Less than a year after it opened our second years gave it a great baptism by winning the Second Year “B” All-Ireland Basketball Championship in their new home venue. Following on from this, six new classrooms were built. A new wing for the library was constructed and some much needed office space has eased the pressure on space in the school.
The Principal, Mr. Reilly and the Deputy Principal, Mr. O’Broin, are currently in charge of Ard Scoil Ris and it’s 500 pupils. It’s a school with thirty year’s experience of development in education; a school with a reputation for sporting and academic excellence ; a school small enough to enjoy a common spirit ; a school that is looking forward to the challenges of educating it’s students in the 21st. century.
Adapted from a piece by Tony Daly.
