Ireland. Hence students could be matriculated and examined by the Royal University. The National Centre for Liturgy moved to Carlow in 1978 where it was based until it moved to Maynooth in August 1996. From 1892 to 1989, the college was operating principally as a seminary for the priesthood. Between 1793 and 1993 it is estimated that 3132 priests were ordained in Carlow. 1989 saw the college become affiliated to N.C.E.A. the forerunner of HETAC. In 1993, a stone cross by the German artist Paul Schneider, was placed in the grounds to celebrate its bi-centenary, also a lecture was given by former college president Bishop Ryan. In 1995, full-time degree students became entitled to the Irish Government's free fees scheme and local authority grants. Notable alumni Distinguished among the thousands of its past students was one of the first-ever Catholic bishops to be appointed in the United States, John England; John Therry, Irish-Australian priest; Ireland's first cardinal, Paul Cullen; the artist Frank O'Meara; the Young Irelander and land-reform theorist, James Fintan Lalor, and Fenian John O'Leary. Daniel O'Connell, Ireland's predominant political leader in the first half of the nineteenth century, reputedly gave an oration to the Carlow townspeople from the top of the college's front porch. Descendants of O'Connell have studied and taught the college. Also educated in Carlow College were James Fintan Lalor's brothers, Richard Lalor, Irish Nationalist MP for Queens County, and Sir Peter Lalor, MP and Speaker of the Victoria Parliament, Australia. Rev William Clancy (1802–1847), missionary and bishop in the United States and British Guiana, studied at Carlow. The Jesuit and first president of UCD, Rev William Delany, received his early education at Carlow. Some of the 17 students who had been expelled from Maynooth due to their support for the 1798 rebellion had attended Carlow, including Francis Hearn, who was later executed. The Rt Rev Michael Collins, Bishop of Cloyne, who was expelled from Maynooth due to his support for Robert Emmet's rebellion, completed his studies at Carlow. The Rev Daniel William Cahill, an editor of the Dublin Telegraph, attended Carlow College; he returned in 1825, as Professor of Natural Philosophy in Carlow College, a post he held until 1834. Amongst his pupils were the aforementioned Lalor brothers. Dr Cahill's nephew, Patrick Cahill, was also educated at Carlow College, obtaining an LLB from the University of London. He was a supporter of Irish Nationalism and