| About St. Joseph's |
MISSION STATEMENT
St Joseph’s Centre for the Visually Impaired provides a supportive and inclusive community where disability does not create a barrier to the fulfillment of aspiration or ambition, where education and care combine to meet each young person’s unique needs.St. Joseph's Centre for the Visually Impaired
St. Joseph's Centre for the Visually Impaired
St. Joseph's is the only dedicated centre of its kind in the Republic of Ireland, providing education and training for the visually impaired. Our students range in age from birth through to young adulthood. All have a vision impairment, some have additional disabilities. St. Joseph's seeks, through education, training and social care, to provide our students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to fulfill their individual potential, so each can lead the life of his/her choice.
History
St Joseph’s stands on the site of the former Drumcondra Castle. It’s name derives from “Drumcondraighe” meaning the ridge of the Condraighe, a local clan.
The castle itself was built on lands once owned by The Priory of the Holy Trinity, part of the Manor of Glasnevin.
Bathe was in turn Solicitor, Attorney General and ultimately Chancellor of the Exchecquer.
In 1586 the Castle became the property of William Warren. During this time the Castle’s chief claim to fame was as the location of the marriage of Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone to Mabel Bagnel in 1593.During the Cromwellian period the Castle continued to be occupied although declining in importance.
After the Restoration, during the reign of James II, it was the home of Captain Chicester, a member of the Irish Parliament.
The premises are described at this time as “…a castle with a dwelling house (of brick), a stable, coachhouse and malthouse, another house of brick and … attached to these were a garden, a yard surrounded by a wall and lands estimated to be 260 acres”
In the 18th Centuryand for part of the 19th , the Castle continued as a private residence and took on its present form in 1842. In 1859 it passed to the trustees of St. Joseph’s Asylum for the Blind. In 1884 it became a school for blind boys run by the Carmelites.
In the 1950’s St. Josephs was given in to the care of the Rosminian Order. Today it continues to be a centre for the training and education of blind and visually impaired children and young adults.
Address
Grace Park Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, Ireland.
Tel: 01-8373635 Fax:01-8368403
e-mail:
info@stjosephs.ie
Charity Number CHY 817
Registered in Ireland: 453 711
Registered Office: 2/3 Terminus Mills, Clonskeagh Road, Dublin 6, Ireland
