Cistercian College in Roscrea, established in 1905 by the Cistercians, is one of the most well-known second level schools in the country.

It has been ranked among Ireland's top 10 academic schools for years and boasts past pupils such as former Taoiseach Brian Cowen and former Tanaiste Dick Spring.

The school has also won the Leinster Schools Senior Cup in rugby and the All Ireland Schools hurling title of late.

Despite its successful track record in academia and sport, the boarding school is now facing closure due to a decline in enrollments which is impacting the financial stability of the school.

An action group composed of past and present pupils, parents and prospective pupils, are determined to prevent the closure. The group is working closely with Abbott, Dom Richard Purcell, to try and come up with alternative school structures which may help save the college. Options including a five-day or six-day boarding basis, along with the current 7-day boarding basis, are among the proposed changes.

The group have been accumulating interest from prospective student and their parents in the surrounding counties of Tipperary, Offaly, Kilkenny and Laois through a survey, found here.

Past pupils are also invited to send short videos through to their facebook page explaining what Cictercian College means to them.

Although the group have raised funds surpassing their initial projections, a considerable amount still remains in order for them to reach their target.

Learn more at ccr.ie

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