Gala Concert 2012

This year the Gala Concert will take place on May 19th and as usual there is competition running for the best poster design. Listed below is the information which must be included on this year's poster. Please see you art teacher if interested in entering.  All entries must be submitted by Friday March 23rd.

Your poster must include the following information

St. Columba's College

10th Anniversary Gala Concert

Éamonn Mulhall- Tenor

Saturday May 19th 2012, at 8pm.

Last year's winning poster can be viewed HERE.

Posted below are examples from previous Gala Concerts.

Restoration of Harry Clarke Windows At St. Mel's Cathedral

In today's Irish Times there is an article which reminds us of the fine stained glass on view in Churches across the country. Arminta Wallace writes ' Over the past quarter of a century the name of Harry Clarke has become synonymous with stained glass in Ireland. But many of the windows we know as “Harry Clarkes” are actually the work of his younger colleagues at Harry Clarke Studios, among them the windows at St Mel’s in Longford, designed by Richard King'. Read the full article HERE.

Here at the college we have our own fine collection of stained glass in the Chapel. Also on display in the college is a piece by Evie Hone who would have been a contemporary of the designer Richard King.

The room dedicated to Stained Glass at the Hugh Lane Gallery also includes the  The Eve of St Agnes by Harry Clarke which was recently visited by a younger member of the greater college community (as seen below).

Cricket at St. Columba's

There has been a long tradition of cricket at the college, and the Master in charge of Cricket, Mr. Canning, has kindly given information about the history of the sport at the College, which helps elucidate upon the circumstances surrounding the etching of the SCC Cricket Pavilion which you see posted here today.

The building of the Cricket Pavilion commenced on March 27th, 1866. Mr. McCurdy was the architect who designed it at a cost of £220 and it was one of the first buildings erected during the Rev. Robert Rice’s time as Warden of the College.

The first official XI can be seen listed on wooden boards inside the pavilion dating back to 1857. Thanks to the Pavilion Appeal the lists are completed to date.

The etching ‘Cricket at St. Columba’s’ is by former Art Master at the College Mr. Chris Vis. He completed a number of etchings, which were auctioned (the proceeds of which were donated GOAL), as part of the 1993 celebration that marked the 150th year in which cricket was played at the college.  Recently, Mr. Vis kindly presented  one of the remaining etchings to The Cricket Pavilion Appeal, which is most appreciative of this generous donation.

English Department's New Book.

The English Department  is calling all SCC artists to submit drawings based on a number of words which may then be chosen to accompany the writings in the Depatment's next book. A reminder of the English Department's first published book, Going Places can be viewed HERE.  The drawings should be completed on A4 or A5 sheets of white paper. The drawings can be line drawings or tonal studies.  Please see Mr. Watts or Ms. Cullen for further details and a for a full list of the descriptive words.

Listed below are a selection of the words.

 Snowball/s                            

Tree
Mouth sreaming
Christmas Tree
Santa
Stars
Doll

Trumpet

Dog (Collie)

Hills

Hen/s

'The Countie of Leinster'

A map entitled 'The Countie of Leinster' (1610), which for years sat in the Maintenance Department at St. Columba's College has recently been re-framed. It is certainly an old piece (although not as old as the date the map depicts) and may have originally come form a book. It appears to be hand-painted and is marked with countless place names and townlands including Knokyn (Knocklyon), Cromlyn (Crumlin) and Molingar (Mullingar).

Ronan Swift.

Portrait of an Old Columban

Last week the College received a portrait of Old Columban musician and conductor John Beckett (cousin of Samuel Beckett).It was painted by Reginald Gray in the 1960's when he became acquainted with John Beckett. The College is hugely thankful for this wonderful donation from the artist. Reginald Grey left Ireland in 1957 to study in London. His work including his Portrait from the life of Francis Bacon, is on display in the National Portrait Gallery of London, the National Museum of London and other galleries.

New Year's Day 2010 @ SCC