Fr Peadar MacSuibhn in the 1920's

 Fr Peadar MacSuibhne, Rector, Knockbeg College (1927-1949).

He worked on collecting archival material relating to Carlow College and Knockbeg College.

Later Progress

In July 1949, Fr. MacSuibhne went as P.P. to Suncroft. Co Kildare. He was succeeded by Fr. Patrick J. Maher, B.D., Vice-president Carlow College. Under Fr. Maher’s short rule the college continued to make progress. His unexpected death on 3 May 1955 was keenly regretted by the pupils of Cnoc Beag, by past and present students of Carlow College and by the priests of the diocese.

Ft. Patrick J. Shine, B.D. succeeded. In 1 963, a handsome and much-needed new wing was added to the college, and the number of pupils was !hus increased. In 1971 a spacious, well-equipped gymnasium was provided. In March 1971. Fr. Shine was appointed P.P. of Monasterevan. His successor is Fr. Michael Noonan, under whose wise guidance the college is maintaining the noble traditions of the past.

A Poet at Knockbeg

William A. Byrne (William Dara) was one of the most gifted poets of the New Movement in Irish poetry. He studied in Carlow Lay College and Maynooth, where he was chosen to write the Centenary Ode, but he had to abandon all thoughts of the priesthood owing to indifferent health. He was for many years a professor at St. Mary's, Knockbeg, where he wrote some of the poems published in 1901 and again in 1904 in a little volume entitled “A Light on the Broom.” He later occupied the chair of English Literature at University College, Galway in which city he died 13 May, 1933. He has a world of his own in Irish poetry and defined it in the Proem:-

I sing of manhood dignified by toil,

And children growing holy as the soil;

I tell of undisturbing faith kept warm

At hearths where purity hath said a charm;

Of one that sirigeth to his heart in vain,

Under the sun, the moon, the passionate rain,

Of lovely faces wandering in a wood;

And peace the eternal dew of solitude;

And curlews coming in the night in streams;

And angels bending o'er a peasant's dreams,

1 chaunt a folk unearthly as the sea,

That sings for ever of eternity;

Whose aging hearts grow simpler than a child's

Amid the pleasing of these broomy wilds.

Back in 1903, William, who at that time was on the Knockbeg staff wrote of the Irish language:

Ah! could we kneel and softly loose

The words our martyrs blessed by use

We should indeed have little fear

But God would bend his loving ear

And grant our prayer for that dear tongue

The Irish angel-throats have sung.

Oh never may the day and night

Pass by and hear that heart's delight

A senseless and a wandering rune

Amid the victor's conquering tune!

The Blossoming Tree

Surmounting the College Crest is a blossoming tree and underneath it the motto "Rescissa Vegetior Assurgit." li is a reminder of penal times and a symbol of the College itself. Nourished by the blood of martyrs, the tree of our Faith now flourishes, sheltering us. And lest we should forget these martyrs, and all we owe to them, we have many relics and mementos in the museum and throughout the house. A bell that called to prayer in Penal days is still rung here, a Penal Chalice is in daily use at Mass, and we have Penal Crosses, missals and books. Most intimate reminder of all, the tongue of the martyrs is taught and spoken. William Dara's prayer has been granted. The restoration of Irish as a living language will mark the final triumph over the penal laws.

NOTES

1. Fr. Corbett's dates at this period of his life are not clear. His name appears only once in the Irish Catholic Directory the 1885 issue has in the College advt. p. 47: "Dean of Lay College, Rev. John Corbett." The Carlovian 1949 p. 102 has "Corbett, John 1878-80. ord. 1880, Kildare and Leighlin. Died 4 Oct 1901, C.C, Carlow." The entry at Irish College, Rome, reads "Joannes Corbett, natus 14 Dec. 1856, Clonaslee of Robert and Louise Conroy. Carlow College, 2 years. Ingressus (Romam) 21 Oct. 1880. Tonsure 15 Apr. 1883. Called home to be dean in Carlow College where he received Holy Orders. "A note by Fr P. MacSuibhne reads' "Dean in Lay College a couple of years. Fr. John Conroy Corbett. C.C. Carlow, d. 4 Oct. 1901. Cath. Directory p. 400, Born 14 Dec. 1855, died as result of a gun accident, in the same room in which he was born, at Ballykaneen, Clonaslee. C.C, Newbridge, Monasterevan." Year of birth is queried.

2. Fr, James Harris. His entries are as follows Carlovian 1949 p. 102," Harris, James 1878-83. Ordained 1883. Kildare and Leighlin. Died 9 Nov. 1920. P.P. Ballinakill."

"19 May 1883 Fr. Harris went as rector to Knockbeg." Dr. T. Wall, Knockbeg Annual.

Catholic Directory 1884 Prefect, Knockbeg p. 47 Advt. 1885 Prefect, Knockbeg p. 47 Advt. 1886 Prefect, Knockbeg p, 57 Advt. This latter issue has also C.C. Clane.

3. Fr. Paul E. Murphy was born at Acres, Coachford, Co. Cork. His brother was William Murphy, Acres, Dripsey, Co. Cork. Another brother was Canon Philip, P.P. Carriganim who predeceased him. Fr. Paul was adopted first for Hobart. The bishop, Dr. Daniel Murphy had visited Carlow that year looking for subjects. The Carlovian 1949 p. 105 has "Murphy. Paul 1883-6. Ord. 1886, Kildare and Leighlin. d. 3 Jan 1933. P.P. Edenderry." Mgr. L. Brophy's ordination list has "ord. 1 August 1886."

Fr. Paul visited the college in 1929 and also in 1930. He was keenly interested in the foundation of the Union. In 1929 he addressed the pupils in the study hall which later became a play-hall, under the chapel. Knockbeg remained closed three years after the death of Fr, Nolan. Dr. Burke, president asked Dr. Walshe to re-open it. The bishop drove out in his carriage. He added a new wing and placed it under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin. A statue of St. Joseph surmounts that wing. Fr. Paul recalled that during his time Archbishop P. J. Ryan, Philadelphia, came out with Carotty Kehoe. Dr. Ryan said that as a student of Carlow cr as prefect at Knockbeg "many a time and often he declaimed his sermons to those arching trees at the back of the college." In this connection there is doubt if there were Carlow prefects in Cnoc Beag at this time. Fr. Pat Foley, later bishop, got Bishop Lynch to make a regulation that all future priests were to go to Knockbeg. It was Dr. E. W. Burke who got Jamesie Donohoe to Knockbeg. Jamesie had been a monitor at St. Patrick's Training College. Drumcondra. It was Dr. Taylor, the founder, who had the hole as for a letter-box put in the rector's bedroom door in the old house, facing the Barrow. A free day was given in honour of Fr. Paul. He died poor. The small residue was left to the poor of Edenderry and Muine Bheag. Executors, Bishop Cullen and Mgr Brophy V.G. He was uncle or cousin of Fr. Jerome, O.F.M., St. Francis, Cork. A grandnephew Fr. John Murphy C.C. Kildorrery was a past student of Carlow College.