Our school is synonymous with the provision of a breadth of sports and extra activities. Every lunch time, students can avail of a variety of pursuits – from Chess Club, ICT club, Debating, Drama, Art, Music, Snooker, Science, Choir.
As a school we also engage competitively in Gaelic Football, Soccer, Basketball, Athletics, Golf, Pitch ‘n Putt, Rowing, Swimming.
Sports Activities
Participating in organised sport, representing one’s school has always been a pillar of student experience at St. Brendan’s. The activities are all coached by members of staff, thereby building positive relationships between staff and students and inculcating a pride in representing one’s school in a competitive arena for the students. We are always most grateful to our sister clubs who do so much in each sport to grow and develop the talents and skills of our students. Local clubs are always most generous in supporting our need for equipment, facilities and venues. Representing one’s school brings together students who normally compete against each other for their local clubs. This in itself is a wonderful and long remembered experience for our young athletes.
Gaelic Football
The association between this sport and St. Brendan’s goes back to the foundations of the G.A.A. and the school itself. The school has competed in 9 Hogan Cup finals and been victorious on 4 occasions. Many past and current pupils have worn the green and gold of Kerry. At the present time we compete in Kerry and National competitions for 1st year; 2nd year (U-15, Taft and Russell Cups); 3rd year (U-16½ Dunloe, Frewen and McGirr Cups) and U-19, O’Sullivan, Corn Uí Mhuirí and Hogan Cups).
Soccer
St. Brendan’s plays “A” level soccer in Kerry, Munster and National competitions. The school is highly successful in this sport having won “A” All-Ireland schools title on 5 occasions. On 2 further occasions the school has represented Ireland in the 4-nations quadrangular competition.
Basketball
St. Brendan’s students “A” level basketball in regional and national cup and league competitions. With basketball once again extremely popular in Kerry, school teams are engaged in high level competitions week to week.
Badminton
School badminton train at St. Brendan’s each week and participate in the Kerry Schools competitions annually.
Golf
The school golf teams train at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club and compete in the local and regional competitions. Most recently our Junior Team won the 2022 national title.
Pitch & Putt
Our school pitch & putt teams are highly competitive. In 2022 the senior team won the national title. As with golf, pitch & putt is a highly popular local sport which we are delighted to facilitate at St. Brendan’s.
Rowing
The school participates in the national schools regatta each year. This is facilitated by the local rowing clubs. Our students train collectively in the school gym and at an agreed boat house in advance of these competitions.
Swimming
Our students participate in the Munster and National Schools Gala each year. This is facilitated by Killarney Swimming Club.
Climbing Club
Our climbing club train each Wednesday under the expertise of Mr. Donie Mulcahy and compete in Munster and National climbing competitions.
Lunchtime Activities
All lunchtime clubs operate an open-door policy – come one come all! The spread of activities is generated by a commitment of the staff to promote as broad as an experience as possible for our students.
Art Club
This club is organised by Ms. Jodie Casey and meets every Monday at 1:15 pm in Room 107. The Art Club offers an opportunity for free art creation or project completion.
Music Club
Music Club operates on Thursdays in the school chapel. It is led by Ms. Niamh O’Connell and renowned musician – Mr. Liam O’Connor. Whatever your area of interest just come along. This club supports the opening of year celebration in the Cathedral, the Christmas Service, the Liam O’Connor Chapel Concert and the Graduation and Awards Events at the school.
Choir Club
This club operates every Tuesday in the Music Room. It is led by Ms. Niamh O’Connell and Ms. Mish O’Donoghue. Pre Covid our choir had 150 members – we are working on building back to this level. Involvement in this club helps the enrichment of so many events in our school. Over the years our choir has represented us at Britain’s Got Talent, the Electric Picnic and at a Fáilte Ireland event in the great hall at Westminster.
Science Club
Science Club takes place every Thursday in the Flaherty Lab Room 118. We organise involvement in the Young Scientist and in SciFest each year. Pre Covid, the Science Club organised a St. Brendan’s SciFest – and that is the plan for 2023.
Debating
At present we participate in debates in Irish and in English. Debate Club meets on Tuesdays at lunchtime under the guidance of Ms. Marie Murphy in Room 103. Interested in argument, reasoned debate or in just watching – please come in for lunch!
Model United Nations Club
Model U.N. Club builds towards organising the St. Brendan’s College M.U.N. annually. Post Covid this is now our renewed target. The club meets on Mondays under the guidance of Ms. Leanne O’Sullivan in Room 203.
Climbing Wall
We are most fortunate to have a Climbing Wall of our own (built in conjunction with Killarney Mountaineering Club). Each Wednesday 1:15 – 3:00 pm we open the wall for interested students. The school competes in Munster and All-Ireland Climbing competitions each year.
Chess Club
Our Chess Club meets Tuesdays and Fridays in Room 411 under the guidance of Mr. Paul Kelliher. As with all other clubs whether you are a learner or a grand master you are most welcome.
Table Tennis
Our six Table Tennis tables are open for 1st / 2nd & 3rd year students every lunchtime 1:15 – 1:55 pm. In-house leagues are played at world standard each year!
Snooker Club
Our two competition size snooker tables (recently refurbished) are available for snooker every lunchtime. Located near the Gym – all welcome.
Other Lunchtime Activities
Using our sports facilities, each lunch time organised soccer and gaelic games take place on the Astro pitch and on the grass playing pitches. Basketball also takes place both on the outdoor and indoor courts. It is also possible to just sit either inside or outside in our seating areas and have your lunch and relax. The school is delighted to have a fully-stocked canteen which is available to our students.