St. Malachy's College
Encyclopedia
St. Malachy's College is the oldest Roman Catholic grammar school
in the province of Ulster
, and one of the oldest in Ireland
.
The college was founded in 1833 by Bishop William Crolly
, about 50 years after the repeal of the penal laws, which had outlawed, among other things, the celebration of the Catholic Mass
, and the provision for the education of the Catholics of Ireland. The school is located on the former site of Vicinage Park, just north of Belfast
city centre
. Its motto is "gloria ab intus" which translates from Latin as "glory from within".
St. Joseph's Seminary, the seminary
for the Diocese of Down and Connor
, is situated on the same campus. This is now officially known as the Diocesan Seminary at St Malachy's, and colloquially as "the wing" due to it being a wing of the college building.
and New Lodge
, but also suburban and rural towns in County Antrim
such as Carrickfergus
, Antrim town and Randalstown
.
and A-level examinations, and has had many recent sporting successes, especially in athletics
and basketball
. The college is also noted for a having a strong music
department and was recently designated as the first specialist music college in Northern Ireland.
for the College is the Most Reverend Donal McKeown
D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor
and former President
of the College (1995-2001).
Notable alumni include:
St. Malachy's College is located in the Water Works electoral ward of north Belfast, between two main roads (the A6 Antrim Road and the A52 Crumlin Road
), close to where they meet at Carlisle Circus.
The grounds of the College are accessed primarily from a tree-lined avenue on the Antrim Road, which leads to the front quadrangle
, known as "the quad". The frontmost building, which comprises 3 sides of the quadrangle and faces westward, is the oldest part of the College and dates to its earliest days in the 1830s. 'A' and 'B' blocks, housing the History, Classics and Drama departments, as well as administrative offices, the Library and the Chapel, take up much of these 3 sides; the remaining rooms consist of priests' apartments, abandoned dormitories and the Upper Study Hall. The more modern St. Joseph's seminary building completes the fourth side of the quadrangle. The College canteen and Music block are also accessed through the front quadrangle.
The concreted back quadrangle, bounded by the College Hall (westward), the gymnasium (northward) and the old building (southward and eastward), has in recent years been enhanced by several flower beds. The Mater Infirmorum hospital
, and a small shrine to the Virgin Mary, both overlook the back quadrangle. The College Hall is the focal point of dramatic productions within the College, as well as assemblies and examinations. In recent years, the College's music department has eschewed the College Hall for its annual concerts, in favour of the more acoustically advantaged Ulster Hall
in Bedford Street.
Behind the College Hall is 'D' block, completed in the 1960s, and the adjoining 'E' block, completed in the 1970s. Both consist largely of standard classrooms, with the exception of Physics
laboratories on the top floor of 'D' block and Biology
laboratories on the top floor of 'E' block. Since the 1980s, the second floor of 'E' block has also become home to the Computing
department. The school's Lecture Theatre is on the ground floor of 'E' block.
'C' block, located to the north of 'E' block, was opened in the 1990s and replaced a row of temporary classrooms. It now houses the Chemistry, Art and Technology departments.
At the rear of the College grounds is the Sports Hall, the centrepiece of which is a basketball court
, renovated in recent years with a multi-purpose hardwood
floor. A synthetic pitch
, laid in 2006, is adjacent to the Sports Hall. For security reasons, the pitch is surrounded by high walls on three sides, separating the College grounds from the neighbouring Crumlin Road prison (now derelict) and the closing Girdwood British Army barracks on Cliftonpark Avenue.
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
in the province of Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
, and one of the oldest in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
The college was founded in 1833 by Bishop William Crolly
William Crolly
William Crolly was the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh from 1835 to 1849....
, about 50 years after the repeal of the penal laws, which had outlawed, among other things, the celebration of the Catholic Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
, and the provision for the education of the Catholics of Ireland. The school is located on the former site of Vicinage Park, just north of Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
city centre
Belfast City Centre
Belfast city centre is the central business district of Belfast, Northern Ireland.The city centre was originally centred around the Donegall Street area. Donegall Street is now mainly a business area, but with expanding residential and entertainment development as part of the Cathedral Quarter...
. Its motto is "gloria ab intus" which translates from Latin as "glory from within".
St. Joseph's Seminary, the seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
for the Diocese of Down and Connor
Diocese of Down and Connor
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Down and Connor, is a Roman Catholic diocese in the north-eastern part of Ireland. It is one of eight suffragan dioceses in the ecclesiastical province of Armagh and is subject to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Armagh...
, is situated on the same campus. This is now officially known as the Diocesan Seminary at St Malachy's, and colloquially as "the wing" due to it being a wing of the college building.
Students
St. Malachy's is a boys' school, providing education for approximately 1,200 students aged 11 to 18. The catchment area of the College is wide, as it is the only male Catholic grammar school in north Belfast: students come from not only local areas such as ArdoyneArdoyne
Ardoyne is an Irish nationalist, working class and mainly Catholic district in north Belfast, Northern Ireland. It gained notoriety due to the large number of incidents during "The Troubles". It is home to approximately 20,000 inhabitants...
and New Lodge
New Lodge
New Lodge may refer to:*New Lodge, Winkfield near Windsor, Berkshire, England*New Lodge, South Yorkshire, England*New Lodge, Belfast, an area of North Belfast, Northern Ireland...
, but also suburban and rural towns in County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
such as Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus , known locally and colloquially as "Carrick", is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is located on the north shore of Belfast Lough, from Belfast. The town had a population of 27,201 at the 2001 Census and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king...
, Antrim town and Randalstown
Randalstown
Randalstown is a small town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, located between the towns of Antrim and Toome. It had a population of 4,956 people in the 2001 Census. It has a very prominent disused railway viaduct and lies beside Lough Neagh and the Shane's Castle estate...
.
Curriculum
The college today boasts impressive records in both GCSEGeneral Certificate of Secondary Education
The General Certificate of Secondary Education is an academic qualification awarded in a specified subject, generally taken in a number of subjects by students aged 14–16 in secondary education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and is equivalent to a Level 2 and Level 1 in Key Skills...
and A-level examinations, and has had many recent sporting successes, especially in athletics
Athletics (track and field)
Athletics is an exclusive collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking. The most common types of athletics competitions are track and field, road running, cross country running, and race walking...
and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. The college is also noted for a having a strong music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
department and was recently designated as the first specialist music college in Northern Ireland.
Personnel
The current Chairman of the Board of GovernorsBoard of governors
Board of governors is a term sometimes applied to the board of directors of a public entity or non-profit organization.Many public institutions, such as public universities, are government-owned corporations. The British Broadcasting Corporation was managed by a board of governors, though this role...
for the College is the Most Reverend Donal McKeown
Donal McKeown (Bishop)
Dónal McKeown is the Catholic titular Bishop of Cell Ausaille and Auxiliary Bishop in The Diocese of Down and Connor.-Early years:He was born on 12 April 1950 in Belfast and baptised in St...
D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor
Diocese of Down and Connor
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Down and Connor, is a Roman Catholic diocese in the north-eastern part of Ireland. It is one of eight suffragan dioceses in the ecclesiastical province of Armagh and is subject to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Armagh...
and former President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of the College (1995-2001).
Notable former pupils
- Sir Charles Gavan DuffyCharles Gavan DuffyAdditional Reading*, Allen & Unwin, 1973.*John Mitchel, A Cause Too Many, Aidan Hegarty, Camlane Press.*Thomas Davis, The Thinker and Teacher, Arthur Griffith, M.H. Gill & Son 1922....
, KCMG (12 April 1816 – 9 February 1903) Irish nationalist and Australian colonial politician, 8th Premier of Victoria - First Speaker of Dáil ÉireannDáil ÉireannDáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
, Professor Eoin MacNeillEoin MacNeillEoin MacNeill was an Irish scholar, nationalist, revolutionary and politician. MacNeill is regarded as the father of the modern study of early Irish medieval history. He was a co-founder of the Gaelic League, to preserve Irish language and culture, going on to establish the Irish Volunteers... - Easter RisingEaster RisingThe Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland during Easter Week, 1916. The Rising was mounted by Irish republicans with the aims of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing the Irish Republic at a time when the British Empire was heavily engaged in the First World War...
rebel (executed in 1916), Major John MacBrideJohn MacBrideMajor John MacBride was an Irish republican executed for participation in the 1916 Easter Rising.-Early life:... - TánaisteTánaisteThe Tánaiste is the deputy prime minister of Ireland. The current Tánaiste is Eamon Gilmore, TD who was appointed on 9 March 2011.- Origins and etymology :...
, Sean MacEnteeSeán MacEnteeSeán MacEntee was an Irish politician. In a career that spanned over forty years as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála, MacEntee was one of the most important figures in post-independence Ireland. He served in the governments of Éamon de Valera and Seán Lemass in a range of ministerial positions,...
TD Fianna FáilFianna FáilFianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
minister of Finance, Health and TD for Dublin - 19th century Lord Chief Justice of England, Sir Charles RussellCharles Russell, Baron Russell of KillowenCharles Arthur Russell, Baron Russell of Killowen, GCMG, PC, was an Irish statesman of the 19th century, and Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales.-Early life:...
- Current members of the legal profession:
- The Hon. Justice Sir James Mary ("Séamus") Treacy
- Judge Kevin Finnegan, QC
- Judge Desmond Marrinan, Recorder of Londonderry
- District Judge Paul Copeland
- Michael Lavery, QC, SC
- Philip Magee, SC
- Former head of the Northern Ireland Civil ServiceNorthern Ireland Civil ServiceThe Northern Ireland Civil Service is the permanent bureaucracy of Crown employees that supports the Northern Ireland Executive, the devolved government of Northern Ireland....
, Sir Gerry Loughran - Most of the Bishops of Down and ConnorBishop of Down and ConnorThe Bishop of Down and Connor is an episcopal title which takes its name from the town of Downpatrick and the village of Connor in Northern Ireland...
since the mid-nineteenth century, including Cahal Brendan Cardinal Daly - Bernard MacLavertyBernard MacLavertyBernard MacLaverty is a writer of fiction. He was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on 14 September 1942, and lived there until 1975 when he moved to Scotland with his wife, Madeline, and four children...
, Michael MacLavertyMichael MacLavertyMichael McLaverty was an Irish writer of novels and short stories.-Background:Michael McLaverty was born in County Monaghan and then moved as a child to the Beechmount area of Belfast He attended St Gall's School and then went to College and became a school teacher. Michael McLaverty worked as a...
, Brian MooreBrian Moore (novelist)Brian Moore was a Northern Irish novelist and screenwriter who emigrated to Canada and later lived in the United States. He was acclaimed for the descriptions in his novels of life in Northern Ireland after the Second World War, in particular his explorations of the inter-communal divisions of The...
and Robert McLiam WilsonRobert McLiam WilsonRobert McLiam Wilson is a Northern Irish novelist. He attended St Malachy's College and studied at University of Cambridge; however, he dropped out and, for a short time, was homeless. This period of his life profoundly affected his later life and influenced his works...
, novelists - Martin O'Neill (OBE), former CelticCeltic F.C.Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
and Aston VillaAston Villa F.C.Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
soccer manager - Eamonn HolmesEamonn HolmesEamonn Holmes is an Northern Irish journalist and broadcaster. He is known for his work on UK and Irish television, notably presenting GMTV and This Morning. He is married to TV presenter Ruth Langsford.-Education:...
, television presenter/personality - Ciarán HindsCiarán HindsCiarán Hinds is an Irish film, television and stage actor. He has built up a reputation as a versatile character actor appearing in such high profile films as Road to Perdition, The Phantom of the Opera, Munich, There Will Be Blood and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. His television roles include...
, film and stage actor - Brian MooreBrian Moore (novelist)Brian Moore was a Northern Irish novelist and screenwriter who emigrated to Canada and later lived in the United States. He was acclaimed for the descriptions in his novels of life in Northern Ireland after the Second World War, in particular his explorations of the inter-communal divisions of The...
, novelist - Denis Murray (OBE), Bill NeelyBill NeelyBill Neely is International Editor for ITV News, the news service produced by ITN for British commercial broadcaster ITV. He has been a broadcaster since 1981...
and Henry McDonaldHenry McDonaldHenry McDonald may refer to:* Henry McDonald * Henry McDonald * Henry McDonald * Henry McDonald *Henry Monroe McDonald , a Major League Baseball pitcher known as Hank McDonald...
, journalists - Tim McGarryTim McGarryTim McGarry is an Irish actor and comedian from North Belfast in Northern Ireland.He is a member of the comedy group Hole In The Wall Gang, and played "Da", a fictional Sinn Féin spokesman, in the comedy series Give My Head Peace....
, comedian and member of the Hole in the Wall GangHole in the Wall Gang (comedy)The Hole in the Wall Gang is the name of a Northern Irish comedy group, who came to prominence in the mid 1990s with the popular satirical comedy Give My Head Peace.... - Leading members of the Social Democratic and Labour PartySocial Democratic and Labour PartyThe Social Democratic and Labour Party is a social-democratic, Irish nationalist political party in Northern Ireland. Its basic party platform advocates Irish reunification, and the further devolution of powers while Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom...
such as Alban MaginnessAlban MaginnessAlban Maginness is a Nationalist politician in Northern Ireland.Maginness was born in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland. He completed his secondary education at St. Malachy's College, Belfast. He then attended the New University of Ulster and subsequently Queen's University of Belfast where...
(BL, MLA; the first nationalist Lord Mayor of BelfastLord Mayor of BelfastThe Lord Mayor of Belfast is the leader and chairman of Belfast City Council, elected annually from and by the City's 51 councillors.The Lord Mayor is Niall Ó Donnghaile of Sinn Féin, while the Deputy Lord Mayor is Ruth Patterson of the Democratic Unionist Party, who were elected in May 2011.The...
), Alex AttwoodAlex AttwoodAlex Attwood, MLA is an Irish politician, currently serving in the Northern Ireland Executive, and is the Social Democratic and Labour Party MLA for Belfast West....
(MLA) and Tim Attwood - Sinn FéinSinn FéinSinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
politicians Alex MaskeyAlex MaskeyAlex Maskey is an Irish politician who was the first member of Sinn Féin to serve as Belfast's Lord Mayor. He is Sinn Féin's longest sitting councillor and is currently an MLA for South Belfast as well as being a councillor for the Laganbank area of Belfast.-Early life:Maskey was educated at St...
(first republican Lord Mayor of Belfast) and Pat Sheehan (participant in the 1981 Irish hunger strike1981 Irish hunger strikeThe 1981 Irish hunger strike was the culmination of a five-year protest during The Troubles by Irish republican prisoners in Northern Ireland. The protest began as the blanket protest in 1976, when the British government withdrew Special Category Status for convicted paramilitary prisoners...
) - Former AllianceAlliance Party of Northern IrelandThe Alliance Party of Northern Ireland is a liberal and nonsectarian political party in Northern Ireland. It is Northern Ireland's fifth-largest party overall, with eight seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly and one in the House of Commons....
leaders Sir Oliver NapierOliver NapierSir Oliver Napier was the first leader of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland. In 1974 he served as the first and only Legal Minister and head of the Office of Legal Reform in the Northern Ireland power-sharing executive set up by the Sunningdale Agreement.-Early life:Napier was educated at St...
and Séan NeesonSéan NeesonSeán Neeson is a politician in Northern Ireland who served as leader of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland between 1998 and 2001.- Education and early life :...
, former deputy leader Seamus CloseSeamus CloseSeamus Close OBE is a Northern Ireland politician, former member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Lagan Valley and a former deputy leader of the Alliance Party....
(OBE) - Stephen Morrow, footballer (formerly of ArsenalArsenal F.C.Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
) - Michael InghamMichael Ingham (footballer)Michael Gerard Ingham is a footballer who plays for York City as a goalkeeper.Ingham started his career with Northern Irish side Cliftonville before moving to England with Sunderland in the FA Premier League in 1999. He was loaned out by the club on eight occasions before eventually joining former...
, footballer
Notable events since 2007
- The cross-country athletics team took gold at the All-Ireland Schools' Championships.
- The college's orchestra and choir visited Washington D.C. in April 2007.
- Dr. Frank W. Dick, OBE, renowned British sports coach and motivational speaker gave a two hour presentation in October 2007.
- Trevor Ringland, MBETrevor RinglandTrevor Maxwell Ringland, MBE is a solicitor, former rugby union winger and Unionist politician. After attending Larne Grammar School Ringland studied law at Queen's University Belfast.-Rugby career:...
(solicitor, politician, former Irish rugby winger and Irish Rugby F.U. committee member) joined with sporting pupils, past and present, from neighbouring schools, to launch the £3.7 million "Sharing Education Programme", which aims to bring Specialist schools in full contact with their local communities in November 2007. - The College celebrated its 175th Anniversary in April 2008 with a concert at the Waterfront HallWaterfront HallThe Waterfront Hall is a multi-purpose facility, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, designed by local architects' firm Robinson McIlwaine. Practice partner Peter McGukin was the project architect....
in BelfastBelfastBelfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. It also gathered the students and staff together in the College "Quad" area for a special photo which has not been taken in over 50 years for the college. - Over the mid-term of the autumn term in 2008 the pupils involved in the senior choir and chamber orchestra made pilgrimages to Rome and Vatican City as part of its 175th anniversary celebrations.
Current members of staff
- Principal: David Lambon, formerly the principal of St Mary's Grammar SchoolSt Mary's Grammar SchoolSt Mary's Grammar School is a grammar school in Magherafelt, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1927.The school has many extracurricular societies, such as Club Mhuire, a Young Pioneer group, a politics society, girls and boys football teams, French clubs, geography club,...
, MagherafeltMagherafeltMagherafelt is a small town in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 8,372 people recorded in the 2001 Census. It is the biggest town in the south of County Londonderry and is the social, economic and political hub of the area...
, suceeded Dr John Morrin (2001-2011) to become the second Principal and non-clerical head of St Malachy's College, all previous heads of the school having held the title President and been ordained Catholic priests. - Vice Principals: Patricia McGuckian and James McDonnell
- RectorRectorThe word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
: The Very Rev. Michael Spence
Former Presidents
- The Very Rev. Canon John McMullan 1940-1950
- The Very Rev. Canon Patrick Kerr 1950-1960. Previously French and Latin Master
- The Very Rev. Canon Walter Larkin 1960-1970. Previously Mathematics Master
- The Very Rev. Canon Patrick WalshPatrick Walsh (Bishop)Patrick Joseph Walsh , is an Irish prelate of the Roman Catholic Church and from 1991 until 2008 he was the 31st Bishop of Down & Connor. Dr Walsh was born in 1931 at Cobh, Irish Free State...
1970-1983. Previously Chaplain to Queen's University, Belfast - The Very Rev. Canon Noel Conway 1983-1995. Previously Head of Physics
- The Very Rev. Donal McKeownDonal McKeown (Bishop)Dónal McKeown is the Catholic titular Bishop of Cell Ausaille and Auxiliary Bishop in The Diocese of Down and Connor.-Early years:He was born on 12 April 1950 in Belfast and baptised in St...
1995-2001
Location and campus
St. Malachy's College is located in the Water Works electoral ward of north Belfast, between two main roads (the A6 Antrim Road and the A52 Crumlin Road
Crumlin Road
The Crumlin Road is a main road in north-west Belfast, Northern Ireland. The road runs from north of Belfast City Centre for about four miles to the outskirts of the city. It also forms part of the longer A52 road.-Lower Crumlin Road:...
), close to where they meet at Carlisle Circus.
The grounds of the College are accessed primarily from a tree-lined avenue on the Antrim Road, which leads to the front quadrangle
Quadrangle (architecture)
In architecture, a quadrangle is a space or courtyard, usually rectangular in plan, the sides of which are entirely or mainly occupied by parts of a large building. The word is probably most closely associated with college or university campus architecture, but quadrangles may be found in other...
, known as "the quad". The frontmost building, which comprises 3 sides of the quadrangle and faces westward, is the oldest part of the College and dates to its earliest days in the 1830s. 'A' and 'B' blocks, housing the History, Classics and Drama departments, as well as administrative offices, the Library and the Chapel, take up much of these 3 sides; the remaining rooms consist of priests' apartments, abandoned dormitories and the Upper Study Hall. The more modern St. Joseph's seminary building completes the fourth side of the quadrangle. The College canteen and Music block are also accessed through the front quadrangle.
The concreted back quadrangle, bounded by the College Hall (westward), the gymnasium (northward) and the old building (southward and eastward), has in recent years been enhanced by several flower beds. The Mater Infirmorum hospital
Mater Infirmorum Hospital
The Mater Infirmorum Hospital, commonly known as The Mater is an acute hospital in Belfast, Northern Ireland and serves a population of over 200,000 people. It provides services to most of North Belfast and South Antrim, reaching as far as Glengormley, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey. It also...
, and a small shrine to the Virgin Mary, both overlook the back quadrangle. The College Hall is the focal point of dramatic productions within the College, as well as assemblies and examinations. In recent years, the College's music department has eschewed the College Hall for its annual concerts, in favour of the more acoustically advantaged Ulster Hall
Ulster Hall
The Ulster Hall is a concert hall and grade B1 listed building in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Situated on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre, the hall hosts concerts, classical recitals, craft fairs and political party conferences...
in Bedford Street.
Behind the College Hall is 'D' block, completed in the 1960s, and the adjoining 'E' block, completed in the 1970s. Both consist largely of standard classrooms, with the exception of Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
laboratories on the top floor of 'D' block and Biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
laboratories on the top floor of 'E' block. Since the 1980s, the second floor of 'E' block has also become home to the Computing
Computing
Computing is usually defined as the activity of using and improving computer hardware and software. It is the computer-specific part of information technology...
department. The school's Lecture Theatre is on the ground floor of 'E' block.
'C' block, located to the north of 'E' block, was opened in the 1990s and replaced a row of temporary classrooms. It now houses the Chemistry, Art and Technology departments.
At the rear of the College grounds is the Sports Hall, the centrepiece of which is a basketball court
Basketball court
In basketball, the basketball court is the playing surface, consisting of a rectangular floor with tiles at either end. In professional or organized basketball, especially when played indoors, it is usually made out of a wood, often maple, and highly polished...
, renovated in recent years with a multi-purpose hardwood
Hardwood
Hardwood is wood from angiosperm trees . It may also be used for those trees themselves: these are usually broad-leaved; in temperate and boreal latitudes they are mostly deciduous, but in tropics and subtropics mostly evergreen.Hardwood contrasts with softwood...
floor. A synthetic pitch
Artificial turf
Artificial turf is a surface manufactured from synthetic fibers made to look like natural grass. It is most often used in arenas for sports that were originally or are normally played on grass. However, it is now being used on residential lawns and commercial applications as well...
, laid in 2006, is adjacent to the Sports Hall. For security reasons, the pitch is surrounded by high walls on three sides, separating the College grounds from the neighbouring Crumlin Road prison (now derelict) and the closing Girdwood British Army barracks on Cliftonpark Avenue.