Welcome to the St Mary’s Knockbeg College website. Knockbeg College is an all boys, non fee-paying, voluntary Catholic secondary school under the trusteeship of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. Knockbeg College traces it’s origins to the lifting of the Penal Laws in 1782 and subsequent decision by Bishop James O Keefe to open a school ‘for the education of Roman Catholic youth’. This school opened it’s doors in 1793 and continues to this very day, almost two hundred and thirty one years later. As such we are one of the oldest schools in the state. The recent renovation of the college buildings and campus has gifted us an ultra-modern and spacious campus.

Knockbeg has a storied past with significant influence on education in the surrounding area, the history of the state and a rich sporting history. This history and tradition is reflected in our everyday life. We are a community that lives by gospel values with an emphasis on the highest academic provision, deep pastoral care and a strong extra and co-curricular programme. A priority of mine is that each student can experience a holistic education in a caring environment.

The entire Knockbeg community is large and encompasses pupils, parent/guardians, staff, board of management, past pupils and the wider diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. There is a unique community bond across these groups. As our website proclaims we are ‘Much more than a school, a real community.’ It is also a priority of mine to deepen these bonds even further.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our website. Further insight into Knockbeg can be garnered through or social media pages on Instagram, X and Facebook. Feel free to get in touch with myself personally by email – jmaye@knockbegcollege.ie