On Friday the trustees announced the college would be closing permanently at the end of current accademic year in June due to falling numbers.
Speaking on Tipp Today this morning Sinead Lawlor – Chairperson of the Parents Assocation at Cistercian College says they have all been just left shellshocked by the news.
She told Fran Curry that the first most of them heard of the impending closure was when they picked up their children on Friday.
The trustees at Cistercian College say they were forced to to make the decision due to falling number.
Boarders at the iconic school in Tipperary have more than halved in recent years and there are currently just under 170 students.
Dom Richard Purcell – the monstary's Abbot – said they have looked at all options to reverse this trend but none appeared viable.
New enrollements have now ceased and classes will conclude for the majority of students at the end of state exams in June .. but in an effort to minimise distress to mid-cycle exam classes, Father Richard said they will consider continuing Junior and Leaving cert for 2nd and 5th year pupils if the numbers are there.
In the meantime – parents and former pupils who are opposed to the impending closure have established a Facebook page and are holding a public meeting in the County Arms Hotel in Birr this Wednesday evening at 7.30 to see how the decision might be reveresed.
Sinead Lawlor of the Parents Assocation feels there are other options to closing completely.
CCR has been eductating students for 112 years and among its past pupils include e former Taoiseach Brian Cowan, F Racehorse trainer Willie Mullins and All-Ireland Tipperary hurler Seamus Hennessey.
Bishop of Killaloe Fintan Monahan has expressed his saddness at the impending closure adding it has huge benefits in terms of eductating young minds.
But he added the closure could also be a sign of the times.
Abbott Dom Richard Purcell says the monastery at Mount St Joseph's is facing similar problems with numbers of vocations but no decision has yet been made on it's future.
