St Benildus College
Template:IrishSchoolInfoBox St. Benildus College is a Catholic boys' secondary school in Kilmacud, Dublin, Ireland. It was established in 1966 when free secondary education was introduced in the Republic of Ireland. As of 2005, 710 students were recorded as being current pupils at the school. Prospective students must pass an entrance test. It is located on the Upper Kilmacud Road. Most of the school's students live in the surrounding areas such as (Kilmacud, Dundrum, Goatstown, Stillorgan, Moreen Estate, Balally) but some live further away e.g. Stepaside, Glencullen, Ranelagh, Rathfarnham and Ballinteer.
The school is located in an area of south Dublin which largely comprised of farmland until the 1950s and 60's when the area became built up with housing estates. The green Luas line is adjacent to the school and the Kilmacud stop is at the back of the school. Students are encouraged to participate in sports including football, hurling, soccer, chess, badminton and athletics. The school has had much success in all of these sports, winning both Provincial and All Ireland honours in many. There is a healthy rivalry between Benildus and local school Coláiste Eoin.
The school has a relatively good academic record and a higher than average percentage of its students go on to study at Third Level. The Irish Independent said Benildus had "the best education money can't buy".
Every year, transition year students run a show in the school hall. The show, which is run in conjunction with local girls school St. Raphaela's, attracts audiences of 200 people for each of the 5 nights of its run. It costs approximately € 10,000 to produce.
The school also runs a gym out of the school PE hall. This was originally available to both members of the public and students but was forced to only allow students due to financial reasons.
Further evidence of the college as a major sporting power is that they competed the Dublin Senior A football final in 2007 narrowly losing to close rivals Coláiste Eoin.
Famous Alumni
- Ray Cosgrove Dublin GAA footballer and former All-Star
- Diarmaid Ferriter, historian and Author
- David Gillick, twice European Indoor athletics gold medalist Madrid, 2005 Birmingham, 2007
- David Kitt, singer/songwriter
- Padraic McMahon, from Irish band The Thrills
- Richard Sadlier, former Ireland international soccer player
Famous Teachers
- Cormac McAnallen, Tyrone football captain
- Austin 'stack' O'Malley, Mayo footballer
- Aidan Fennelly, Laois footballer
- Alan Costello, Mayo footballer