De La Salle College Dundalk facts for kids

De La Salle College, Dundalk is a school for boys in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland. It is a secondary school, which means it's for students after primary school. The college also offers a special year for students repeating their Irish Leaving Certificate exams. This year is open to both boys and girls. The school recently added new buildings to its campus.

A Look Back: School History

The De La Salle school first opened its doors in Dundalk in 1899. It started in an area called Castletown. Later, in 1979, the secondary school moved to its current spot on the Castleblayney Road. New building work began in 1997 to make the school even bigger. Today, about 750 students attend the college.

School Symbols: Crest and Motto

The School Crest Explained

The school crest features a star on a shield. Green fern leaves are on either side of the shield. Below the shield, a scroll has the Latin words "Signum Fidei." This means "The Sign of Faith." The star reminds people of the story of the Three Wise Men. They followed the Star of Bethlehem, trusting it would lead them to God.

What the School Motto Means

The motto of De La Salle College, Dundalk, is "Recta Sapere." This is a Latin phrase. It means "Right Judgement" or "Knowing what is Right." It encourages students to always make good choices.

How the School Works

Student Voice: The Student Council

The Student Council is a group of students who represent everyone else. They share student ideas and help with many activities in the school. Students on the council get special training at the start of the school year. This training helps them learn about teamwork and leadership skills.

School Uniform: What Students Wear

Like many schools in Ireland and the UK, students at De La Salle College wear a special uniform. This uniform helps everyone know they are students of the college. The uniform includes:

• Grey trousers
• Grey shirt
• A polar blue jumper with the college crest
• A black blazer or fleece with the college crest
• A school tie (the design is different for younger students and those taking their Leaving Cert exams)
• Grey socks

Famous People Who Attended

Many notable people have studied at De La Salle College, Dundalk. Here are a few:

• Steve Staunton: A former football player for Ireland. He also managed the Irish national team.
• Martin Naughton: An Irish businessman who started the company Glen Dimplex.
• Brendan O'Dowda: A famous Irish tenor singer.
• Paddy Keenan: A Gaelic footballer who played for Louth.
• Michael O'Connor: A professional footballer. He also played for the Republic of Ireland U21 team.