Louisburgh man first lay president of St Jarlath’s College

Louisburgh man first lay principal of St Jarlath’s College


For the first time since its establishment in 1800, St Jarlath’s College, Tuam has appointed its first lay President. Louisburgh native John Kelly will take up the position this September,
John is currently principal of ColΡiste Muire, Ballymote, Co Sligo where he was acting principal for two years before becoming principal last year.
The management and direction of St Jarlath’s appropriately changes hands from one Louisburgh native to another, as John, originally from Kilsallagh, Louisburgh, takes the reins from the current president Fr Brendan Kilcoyne, PP, who hails from Killadoon, Louisburgh. Fr Kilcoyne will now take up his new position as parish priest in Athenry.
Speaking to The Mayo News about his new appointment, Mr Kelly said he was ‘honoured to be selected for the position’ and was looking forward to starting in September.
Asked if he would be making major changes to the school as its first lay principal, Mr Kelly said he was firstly focusing on ‘getting his feet under the desk’ and getting used to the school.
“There have been significant changes in the school in the last few years so we’ll be having a look at them and see how they are working,” said the new principal.
The new principal is a past pupil of Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh and a graduate of University of Limerick, where he received a Bachelor of Technology in Education.
John then went on to teach in both St Mary’s, Ballygar, Co Galway and Presentation College, Headford,
He then became a permanent Technical Graphics and Construction teacher in Ballinrobe.
In 2001 John availed of a career break and spent several years as a project manager with an engineering company in the USA.
St Jarlath’s currently has a student body of over 500.
Since returning to Ireland John has completed a postgraduate diploma in School Planning and a Master’s degree in School Leadership and Management.
John is married with three children and lives in Claremorris. He will be the thirty-second President of St. Jarlath’s.