Gonzaga Development

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People for Others

It was with the generous support of the Jesuit community, alumni, parents and corporate partners that the Campaign for Excellence was finally completed in 2016.

 

This campaign spanned 9 years of successful fundraising and delivered the Coulson Theatre, the Sutherland Library, the Dining Hall, 16 new classrooms, the upgrading of sports’ facilities (including a new weight training equipment and additional changing rooms) and various other short-term science and technology refurbishment projects.

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Building for Tomorrow

Our recently launched initiative, Building for Tomorrow, further promotes the pursuit of

Magis, focussing not only on campus growth but also nurturing the idea of equality and

inclusion in a real and tangible way.  This campaign is equally ambitious and aims to deliver

the following projects by 2030:

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3G Pitch

New 3G pitch. This exceptional facility was delivered in August 2020 and is ensuring our talented athletes can now compete on a par with other schools.  The 3G surface and floodlighting enable students to play matches and train on the darkest and wettest of winter evenings which extends the opportunity for sport in such a transformative way. 

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Fr. Sullivan Bursary Programme

Establishment of fund security for the Fr. Sullivan Bursary Programme.  This Programme provides access to students deemed to benefit from an education at Gonzaga but who would otherwise be prevented from access due to a lack of means.

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STEAM Building

A new fit for purpose science, technology, engineering, art & maths (STEAM) centre which reflects the

excellence of teaching and academic success in these areas.

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On Monday, 23 March 2026, the inaugural shovel marked the official commencement of construction for our new STEAM building.

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A new centre for the Arts which will include soundproofed rehearsal spaces and studio facilities for music and drama students.  Gonzaga has a long history of excellence in the Arts and recognises the need to provide an exceptional facility for our talented students and their teachers with gifts in these areas.​

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An Interactive Teaching & Learning Hub, providing two new floors of collaborative, multi-media spaces to stimulate students to grow in a challenging, open and innovative school environment. International educational best practice shows classroom-only experiences are evolving to more enriching and learning-friendly environments.

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Please click here if you would like our brochure.

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The Fr. John Sullivan Access Bursary

 

Who is Fr. John Sullivan?

Fr. Sullivan was an Irish Jesuit priest who died in 1933.  He was beatified in Dublin

in 2017 in recognition of a life dedicated to working with the poor and the sick. 

We chose to create the access programme in his name in honour of his many personal

sacrifices.

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Why does Gonzaga want to provide an access programme?​

A significant tenet of our Jesuit ethos and tradition is that we teach a faith that does justice and, in this context, we feel the access programme and the tangible experience of social and cultural diversity will continue to enrich the school community in a most positive way.

 

The current goal is to provide 4 Sullivan Scholarships each year and to assess and review this number as the programme develops.  We are very pleased to have 23 participating in the programme currently, and eight have graduated from the programme. Our aim is to grow this number to where we can accommodate 8-10% of our intake each year. ​

 

A Journey Through the John Sullivan Access Programme

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I often say that my education was never just about learning; it was about survival.

As the first Black student at Gonzaga and as part of the first cohort of the Fr John

Sullivan Access Programme, my admission wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was

a statement of possibility. Growing up I was told that I had to be twice as good as

others to get half of what they had, but quite early in my academic career I decided

I would have more than a mere fraction; I wanted double. However, this meant

being at least eight times better than those who were already multiple steps ahead

of me. In other words, it meant perfection. Coming from Blanchardstown, I spent six

years making two-hour commutes each way by bus, leaving home before sunrise and returning long after sunset. My family always believed that education was the key to opportunity, but the reality was that opportunity often required sacrifice. My family’s financial circumstances made me eligible for the programme, but its impact went far beyond monetary support.

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The Fr John Sullivan Access Programme turned long commutes and late nights into an investment with purpose. What the programme offered me most was perspective and belonging. It reminded me that education is not a privilege reserved for the few, but a right that can empower the many. It offered reassurance when I doubted myself, guidance when I felt lost, and a sense of community when I felt alone. It allowed me to be seen as someone capable of achieving their dreams, not just a pipeline dreamer. That foundation has shaped everything that has come since.

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Today, I am studying Economics and Psychology at Harvard University, driven by the same belief that access changes lives, because it certainly changed mine. The lessons I learned through the Access Programme continue to guide me: that impact matters more than image, that resilience outweighs perfection, and that true education extends beyond the classroom. I am endlessly grateful for the Fr John Sullivan Access Programme, not only for what it provided but for what it represented. It transformed opportunity into empowerment and proved that access is what turns dreaming into doing.

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Justin Ikwu – Class of 2024​

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A Network of Support​​​​

We make every effort to encourage our Gonzaga community to participate in the college development.  We meet new parents in the first few months of their journey to share our plans in greater detail and to discuss our hopes for, and the prospect of, their involvement in line with our shared Jesuit values.​​ From time to time we reach out to our network of alumni to share updates on our college development plans and to seek support where appropriate. 

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If you are considering a gift to Gonzaga College, please be aware that there are various efficient ways to do so depending on your residence and tax status.

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The tax legislation in Ireland, the UK and the USA provides different incentives for charitable giving unique to each country.

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• For Irish residents, click here to download our Pledge Form and here to complete the CHY3 Cert for tax relief on your donation.

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• For UK residents the most efficient way to make a gift to Gonzaga College SJ is through the IFGB. Please click here to download Gonzaga/IFGB donation form.

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Individual Donations 

We are always so grateful to those who want to support the vision of Gonzaga College SJ. As a registered charity, donations are extremely meaningful for us. On individual gifts, the government gives a tax uplift of 44%, meaning that for every €1,000 the college receives, the government gives €440 on top. Please reach out to hrainey@gonzaga.ie if you would like to make a donation. 

Needed documents to make a donation: 

- Pledge Form 

- Standing Order Form

- CHY3 Form

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In Memoriam & Legacy gifts

We hope at some point you might consider the impact a Jesuit education has had on your life, the life of your son, another relative or indeed a friend.  A Planned Gift to Gonzaga College SJ, through your will or by your creation of a charitable trust or annuity, will ensure the success of the college mission to educate and form men for and with others for years

to come. 

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Corporate Partnerships

We welcome discussing partnerships with corporate entities who share the values of Gonzaga College SJ and wish to make a positive impact on education in Ireland and invest in the future change-makers.

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Please contact any member of the college development team to discuss playing a part in the future of Gonzaga College SJ.

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- Fiachra Etchingham, Director of Finance: fetchingham@gonzaga.ie​

- Heather Rainey, Director of Development: hrainey@gonzaga.ie

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