St Michael's College, Enniskillen
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St Michael's College (Irish: ''Coláiste Mhíchíl'') is a
Roman Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...
boys'
grammar school A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries, originally a Latin school, school teaching Latin, but more recently an academically oriented Se ...
located in
Enniskillen Enniskillen ( , from , ' Ceithlenn's island') is the largest town in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is in the middle of the county, between the Upper and Lower sections of Lough Erne. It had a population of 14,086 at the 2011 censu ...
, Northern Ireland. Named for St Michael the Archangel, the school educates boys in
County Fermanagh County Fermanagh ( ; ) is one of the thirty-two counties of Ireland, one of the nine counties of Ulster and one of six counties of Northern Ireland. The county covers an area of and had a population of 63,585 as of 2021. Enniskillen is the ...
and the surrounding areas. The school is located within the parish of Enniskillen, one of the largest parishes in the Diocese of Clogher. The school's feast day is 29 September. The current principal is Cathal O’Connor (2025–present).


Location

The college is situated on Drumclay Hill, about half a mile from Enniskillen town centre. It is built on an elevated site and enjoys a view of the Mill Lough, Cuilcagh Mountain, Topped Mountain and the surrounding countryside.


History

St Michael's Grammar School was established to cater for the educational needs of Catholic boys from the northern half of the Diocese of Clogher. From 1903 until 1957, St Michael's was run by the Presentation Brothers at its Belmore Street site, where
The Clinton Centre The Clinton Centre is situated on the site of the Remembrance Day bombing on 8 November 1987 in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ; ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, part of the United Kingdom in the ...
now stands. It was then taken over by the diocese under the then Bishop of Clogher, the Most Rev Eugene O'Callaghan and rebuilt at Drumclay. In 1952, the site was purchased by Monsignor Gannon. During the summer of 1956, Patrick Mulligan was appointed to run the college. Work on the grammar school started in 1958; during that time, classes were held at the original location on East Bridge Street. In September 1963, the buildings were completed and all classes were moved from East Bridge Street to Drumclay. The college has undergone extensive development and expansion since that time. The original site was expanded in the late 1950s to accommodate an increase in the number of students from 200 to 300. The next expansion occurred in 1966, with the addition of four new classrooms, including a modern language department, laboratory, a bookstore and a teachers' recreation room. In more recent years, a new technology block has been added, and many of the science labs have been renovated. Since its foundation, the college has continued to grow and expand. It now has over 700 students, a teaching staff of 50 and a support staff of 35. However the school has also experienced a sharp academic decline, with the college being the worst performing grammar school in Northern Ireland in 2016, and consistently ranks near the bottom in grammar school exam performance. The school has also had to manage reputational damage in its past due to its association with former teacher, priest and convicted child abuser Father John McCabe who was jailed in 1995 on 13 sex offences. McCabe taught at the school from 1977 until 1988. Despite being aware of this abuse in 1989 these events were covered up by the then Bishop of Clogher and chairman of the St Michael's board of governors Joseph Duffy who failed to report the crimes to police, social services or the school McCabe was subsequently employed at after leaving St.Michaels. In 2025 the
Bishop of Clogher The Bishop of Clogher (, ) is an episcopal title which takes its name after the village of Clogher in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Following the Reformation, there are now parallel apostolic successions: one of the Church of Ireland and ...
Lawrence Duffy and the Diocese of Clogher on behalf of the schools Board of Governors issued a formal apology to victims of sexual abuse perpetuated at the College by Canon Patrick McEntee who was convicted of sexual abuse at Dungannon Crown Court on the 11th June 2025


St Michael's College presidents

Since the college was taken over by the diocese in 1957, a total of six priests have taken up the role of college president. In 2006, Eugene McCullough was the first lay person appointed to lead the college. Patrick Mulligan, a native of
County Fermanagh County Fermanagh ( ; ) is one of the thirty-two counties of Ireland, one of the nine counties of Ulster and one of six counties of Northern Ireland. The county covers an area of and had a population of 63,585 as of 2021. Enniskillen is the ...
, was the first president of the college and served in the post for nine years. He oversaw the planning and building of the college at Drumclay as well as its first two expansions. Less than three years after his retirement from the post, he was appointed
Bishop of Clogher The Bishop of Clogher (, ) is an episcopal title which takes its name after the village of Clogher in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Following the Reformation, there are now parallel apostolic successions: one of the Church of Ireland and ...
. He resigned that position in 1979 due to ill health and died in 1991. The second principal was John McElroy, also a native of County Fermanagh, who remained in the post until 1977. One of his students was future president, Joseph McGuinness. McElroy later became parish priest of Aghalurcher, near
Lisnaskea Lisnaskea () is the second-biggest settlement in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is situated mainly in the townland of Lisoneill, with some areas in the townland of Castle Balfour Demesne, both in the civil parish of Aghalurcher and th ...
; he died in 2004. In 1977,
Peadar Livingstone Fr. Peadar Livingstone (1932 – 8 December 1987) was a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Clogher, Ireland. Early life and education Peadar Livingstone was born in 1932 and raised in Castleblayney, County Monaghan. His father was a jewel ...
briefly held the position of president, before assuming parish duties in Broomfield, County Monaghan, near his native Castleblayney. By the time he took up the post, he was already known for his local historical work, ''The Fermanagh Story''; he completed ''The Monaghan Story'' in 1980. He was succeeded at the end of the year by Macartan McQuaid, also a native of County Monaghan. Macartan McQuaid officially assumed the post of president in January 1978 and was the longest serving president of St Michael's College. McQuaid oversaw major extension work at the college. During his tenure, the number of students attending the school gradually grew from 500 to over 700. McQuaid retired in 1993, and was appointed parish priest of
Irvinestown Irvinestown is a town in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. At the 2021 census it had a population of 2,325 people. The most notable buildings are Necarne Castle, formerly known as Castle Irvine, and Castle Archdale. Irvinestown is situated ...
. He returned as chaplain in 2007. In 1994, Patrick McEntee, a native of the town of Monaghan, assumed the position of president. MacEntee joined the staff of the college in 1977 with his appointment as dean. He resigned as president in 2000 and is currently on leave as parish priest of Dromore while an investigation into historical Safeguarding takes place. MacEntee was charged with indecently assaulting a complainant between 1980 and 1981 and further alleged to have twice indecently assaulted a second complainant on dates between 1988 and 1989. McEntee's case has been referred to the Crown Court and "is understood they relate to Canon McEntee’s time in County Fermanagh." McEntee was to stand trial on historical sexual assault charges in September 2024. In July 2024 MacEntee was additionally accused of a further four counts of indecent assault against three males alleged to have occurred on various dates between 1978 and 1987. McEntee has been charged with sexual offences against five children, males who attended St Michael’s College. McEntee's trial at Dungannon Crown Court commences 20 May 2025. The case refers to McEntees "pattern of sexualised behaviour" towards the children and how the priest took the boys into his private quarters at the school McEntee was found guilty of eight counts of historical indecent assault against four children at Dungannon Crown Court on June 11th 2025. McEntee was remanded in custody and ordered to sign the Sex-Offender Register ahead of sentencing in September 2025. Judge Richard Greene told McEntee that he would face a "significant custodial sentence". MacEntee was succeed in September 2000 by Joseph McGuinness, originally from
Lisnaskea Lisnaskea () is the second-biggest settlement in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is situated mainly in the townland of Lisoneill, with some areas in the townland of Castle Balfour Demesne, both in the civil parish of Aghalurcher and th ...
in County Fermanagh, and the only past pupil of the college to become president. McGuinness retired as president in August 2006. In September 2007, he was appointed to the position of parish priest of Enniskillen. The school's first lay principal, Eugene J. McCullough, took up his post on 1 September 2006. Mccullough, educated in
County Antrim County Antrim (named after the town of Antrim, County Antrim, Antrim, ) is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland, located within the historic Provinces of Ireland, province of Ulster. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the c ...
, is the former president of St Mary's College,
Irvinestown Irvinestown is a town in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. At the 2021 census it had a population of 2,325 people. The most notable buildings are Necarne Castle, formerly known as Castle Irvine, and Castle Archdale. Irvinestown is situated ...
, County Fermanagh. McCullough retired in 2016 after ten years as principal. Mark Henry was appointed to be the new principal of the college in September 2016. Henry began teaching at St Michael's in 1995 and went on to become the vice-principal in 2007. Henry exited the role in February 2025. Cathal O’Connor was confirmed as principal in March 2025. O'Connor had been a teacher in the College for 22 years as well as being a former pupil of the school.


Sports

St Michael's teams have excelled in many sports most notably
Gaelic Football Gaelic football (; short name '')'', commonly known as simply Gaelic, GAA, or football, is an Irish team sport. A form of football, it is played between two teams of 15 players on a rectangular grass pitch. The objective of the sport is to score ...
. In 2006, St Michael's won the Rannafast Cup.


MacRory Cup

The school's teams have won the MacRory Cup 7 times, making St. Michael's the 6th most successful college in the competition's history. After wins in 1973 and 1992, the school entered its most successful spell in 1999, reaching the final in four consecutive years, winning in 1999, 2001 and 2002. Following a 10-year drought, the school lifted the trophy in 2012, beating St Patrick's College,
Maghera Maghera ( ; ) is a small town at the foot of the Glenshane Pass in Northern Ireland. Its population was 4,235 in the 2021 United Kingdom census, 2021 census. Formerly in the Barony (Ireland), barony of Loughinsholin within the historic County ...
in the final by 0–09 to 1–04. After a seven year lapse, St. Michael's took the MacRory Cup home to Drumclay once again on Monday 18 March 2019 when they beat Omagh CBS 0–16 to 2–6 at the athletic grounds in Armagh. St Michael's were runners-up in the competition on seven (7) occasions, most recently the 2008 final. The team qualified for the final with a win of 1–17 to 0–7 over St Eunan's, Letterkenny, before being defeated by St Patrick's, Dungannon, in the final on Monday, 17 March (St Patrick's Day) 2008. After winning their 7th MacRory Cup the team entered into the Hogan Cup semi-final against St. Colman's, Claremorris on 30 March, winning 2–13 to 1–10, progressing to their third Hogan Cup final. On Saturday 6 April 2019, St. Michael's claimed their first ever Hogan Cup (an all-Ireland title) in
Croke Park Croke Park (, ) is a Gaelic games stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Named after Archbishop Thomas Croke, it is referred to as Croker by GAA fans and locals. It serves as both the principal national stadium of Ireland and headquarters of the Gaelic At ...
with a one-point victory over Naas CBS (1–12 to 1–11).


Run For Oisin

St Michael's organise an annual run around the grounds of the school in memory of Oisin McGrath, a past pupil of the school, who died in a playground incident. This run raises money for the Oisin McGrath Foundation.


Notable former pupils

* Dominic Corrigan (b. 1961/1962) — Gaelic footballer, also taught at the college *
Tomás Corrigan Tomás Corrigan (born August 1, 1990) is a Gaelic footballer who has played for the Fermanagh GAA, Kinawley, Dublin GAA,St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh GAA, St Oliver Plunketts, and the Fermanagh county football team, Fermanagh county team. Ca ...
(b. 1990), — Gaelic footballer, son of Dominic * T.P. Flanagan (1929–2011) — artist * Frank McManus (b. 1942) — independent Nationalist MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone (1970–1974) *
Frank Ormsby Francis Arthur Ormsby (born 1947) is an author and poet from Northern Ireland. Life Frank Ormsby was born in Irvinestown, County Fermanagh. He was educated at St Michael's College, Enniskillen and then Queen's University Belfast. From 1976 unt ...
(b. 1947) — poet and former editor of '' The Honest Ulsterman'' *Sir Patrick Hugh Haren (b. 1950) — businessman ( Viridian Group);
knighted A knight is a person granted an honorary title of a knighthood by a head of state (including the pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the church, or the country, especially in a military capacity. The concept of a knighthood ...
for services to the electricity industry in Northern Ireland * Fearghal McKinney (b. 1962) — television presenter, journalist and politician * Nigel McLoughlin (b. 1968) — writer, poet, academic (
University of Gloucestershire The University of Gloucestershire is a public university based in Gloucestershire, England. It is located over five campuses, three in Cheltenham and two in Gloucester. The university is the successor of a large number of merged, name-changed ...
) * Ciarán McMenamin (b. 1975) — actor * Martin McGrath (born 1981) —
Gaelic football Gaelic football (; short name '')'', commonly known as simply Gaelic, GAA, or football, is an Irish team sport. A form of football, it is played between two teams of 15 players on a rectangular grass pitch. The objective of the sport is to score ...
er * Phil Flanagan (b. 1984) —
Sinn Féin Sinn Féin ( ; ; ) is an Irish republican and democratic socialist political party active in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The History of Sinn Féin, original Sinn Féin organisation was founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffit ...
Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA * Charlie McMahon — musician * Barry Owens - Two time All-Star


See also

* Diocese of Clogher * Patrick Mulligan first College President and Bishop of Clogher


References


'Safeguarding issue' investigation into former St. Michael's College President
impartialreporter.com


External links


School website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Michael's College, Enniskillen Catholic secondary schools in Northern Ireland Educational institutions established in 1957 Grammar schools in County Fermanagh Secondary schools in County Fermanagh Education in Enniskillen Boys' schools in Northern Ireland 1957 establishments in Northern Ireland