Page 30 - The Gonzaga Record 1985
P. 30
So the teaching of Latin in a school was not necessarily any indication of a
considered conviction about the classical languages. Things were somewhat
different with regard to the teaching of Greek. If a school taught Greek there was a
presumption about its commitment to the roots of European culture. But one
would have to qualify this statement. Greek was taught in the Diocesan colleges
run by the secular clergy throughout Ireland. A knowledge of Greek was obviously
a very desirable attainment in anyone who entered a seminary to become a priest.
Some seminaries insisted on it. So it is not surprising that the Diocesan colleges
taught Greek.
What about secondary schools that had no connection with seminaries? It could
only have been from some educational commitment if Greek were taught in the
school. Certainly in Gonzaga the teaching of Greek had an honoured place from
the very beginning. In 1952 Fr Edmund Keane, SJ joined the teaching staff of
Gonzaga. Although he has taught other subjects, he will always be remembered by
many generations of students as their Greek teacher. The College has been lucky
to have him. And it is remarkable that in 1985, more than thirty years later, he is
still teaching Greek.
Everybody readily agrees with the proposition that exam results are not, or
ought not to be, the aim and object of education. But if exam results are
extraordinarily good, it is a fair assumption that at least in that subject, the
teaching is enthusiastic and skilful.
Even the most cursory glance over the scholarship record in Greek is
impressive.
Scholarships:
Timothy Webb - Classics - TCD
Francis Byrne - Classics - UCD
John O'Neill - Classics - remission of fees - UCD
Richard Rice - Greek Prize - Classics - UCD
Hubert Mahony - Classics - UCD
John Fitzpatrick - Classics - UCD
David Alexander - Classics - TCD
Francois Eliet - Latin - TCD
Frank Call anan - Classics - UCD
Frank Call anan - 1916 MacDonough Scolarship-UCD
Eoin McCullough - Classics - TCD
Brian Cregan - Classics - special prize- TCD
Charles O'Brien - Classics - TCD
Conor McCullough - Classics - 1916 MacDonough Scholarship
Barry O'Donnell - Classics - TCD
Also - Oxford Unive rsity Entrance - Philip McDonagh and Robert McDonagh
(Both these boys became Presidents of the Oxford Union.)
It is true, of course, that these are results obtained by hard-working but gifted
students. But even those who never attained scholarship level always expressed
appreciation of having been taught Greek. In long years one has never heard them
in later life saying that their years learning Greek were a waste of time. Quite the
contrary.
22
considered conviction about the classical languages. Things were somewhat
different with regard to the teaching of Greek. If a school taught Greek there was a
presumption about its commitment to the roots of European culture. But one
would have to qualify this statement. Greek was taught in the Diocesan colleges
run by the secular clergy throughout Ireland. A knowledge of Greek was obviously
a very desirable attainment in anyone who entered a seminary to become a priest.
Some seminaries insisted on it. So it is not surprising that the Diocesan colleges
taught Greek.
What about secondary schools that had no connection with seminaries? It could
only have been from some educational commitment if Greek were taught in the
school. Certainly in Gonzaga the teaching of Greek had an honoured place from
the very beginning. In 1952 Fr Edmund Keane, SJ joined the teaching staff of
Gonzaga. Although he has taught other subjects, he will always be remembered by
many generations of students as their Greek teacher. The College has been lucky
to have him. And it is remarkable that in 1985, more than thirty years later, he is
still teaching Greek.
Everybody readily agrees with the proposition that exam results are not, or
ought not to be, the aim and object of education. But if exam results are
extraordinarily good, it is a fair assumption that at least in that subject, the
teaching is enthusiastic and skilful.
Even the most cursory glance over the scholarship record in Greek is
impressive.
Scholarships:
Timothy Webb - Classics - TCD
Francis Byrne - Classics - UCD
John O'Neill - Classics - remission of fees - UCD
Richard Rice - Greek Prize - Classics - UCD
Hubert Mahony - Classics - UCD
John Fitzpatrick - Classics - UCD
David Alexander - Classics - TCD
Francois Eliet - Latin - TCD
Frank Call anan - Classics - UCD
Frank Call anan - 1916 MacDonough Scolarship-UCD
Eoin McCullough - Classics - TCD
Brian Cregan - Classics - special prize- TCD
Charles O'Brien - Classics - TCD
Conor McCullough - Classics - 1916 MacDonough Scholarship
Barry O'Donnell - Classics - TCD
Also - Oxford Unive rsity Entrance - Philip McDonagh and Robert McDonagh
(Both these boys became Presidents of the Oxford Union.)
It is true, of course, that these are results obtained by hard-working but gifted
students. But even those who never attained scholarship level always expressed
appreciation of having been taught Greek. In long years one has never heard them
in later life saying that their years learning Greek were a waste of time. Quite the
contrary.
22
