Back row, left to right; Right Rev. Monsignor J. Mitchell, President of the College; Ben Farrell, a native of Craughwell, ordained a priest for Galway 1932, went to Australia, died in the diocese of Bathurst ; Willie Fahy, Castlegar, now a parish priest in Australia ; Jim McHugh, Headford, farmer at Cahermorris ; Paul Keeley, Kilchreest, farmer at Kilchreest ; Thomas Cunningham, Mountbellew, doctor in Tuam ; Rev. James O’Dea, P.P. Clarenbridge, then the bishop’s secretary.

Middle Row; James Larking, Ardrahan, now P.P. of Peterswell ; Michael Callanan, Moylough, Customs and Excise. R.I.P. 1957 ; Owen O’Malley, Castlebar, chemist in Clontarf, Dublin ; Frank Burke, Cornamona, N.T. in Cornamona ; Frank Quinn, Kiltartan, now a P.P. in Australia ; John O’Malley, Rosmuc, now a medical doctor in Lettermore.

In front are Bernard Mulkerrins, Kilchreest, now a C.C. in Kinvara ; John Dooley, Shrule, consecrated bishop in 1951, Apostolic Delegate in Hanoi, Vietnam ; Leo Hill, Ballinasloe, business man in Ballinasloe ; Patrick Killoran, Craughwell, died in Maynooth College as a student.

The foundation stone of the College was laid in May, 1910, and two years later it opened with 60 boarders @ £30 per annum and 17 day boys @ £6 per annum. Since then the school has been regularly expanding, constantly improving and upgrading facilities so that today, it is one of the finest educational institutions in the west.

Next year, 2012, St Mary’s College will celebrate its centenary. At the moment, Peadar O’Dowd is busy compiling a history of the College, so if you have any old photographs, documents, stories or memories you might like to share with him, he would love to hear from you. Everything will be cared for and returned. He can be reached at 086 818 3230 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Finally, I would like to thank you the readers for your comments, your critiques, your corrections and your support during the year. There would be no “Old Galway” column without you. I wish you all a happy and a healthy New Year. Go mbeirimís beo.