been rugby union. For all students in first and second year it is mandatory that they play rugby union. Teams are fielded at all ages from U-14 to U-19 and are involved in both friendly and competitive fixtures from late-September until March. Over the years Glenstal has produced a number of rugby players, athletes and tennis players. In recent years the school has enjoyed some success off the rugby pitch in local and regional track and field, tennis and soccer competitions. The school won the Munster Schools Senior Cup, for their first time on 18 March 2018 beating Christian Brothers College, Cork, on a scoreline of 18-17. Sports facilities Glenstal's sporting facilities include a sports hall, four rugby pitches, a soccer pitch, six tennis courts and a gym (for seniors only). Glenstal does not have a swimming pool, but there is a large lake beside the main rugby pitches where students are allowed to swim (with staff supervision) during the summer term. During the summer term, the main rugby pitches are turned into a 400 m grass running track and there is an area for shot put, javelin and discus throwing. There are also soccer pitches marked out. Music Glenstal's music department offers lessons in many instruments, for example drums, guitar, violin, clarinet, piano. Most of these instruments are taught to the students by people from outside of the school who come in during the day or evening to give half-hour lessons. Theatre Glenstal Abbey School puts on a musical or straight drama every year around March. Usually an outside director is engaged, who works closely with the musical director to put the show together. The roles are almost always played by students of the school, the only exception being some male parts played by boys from nearby boy schools. Previous shows have been Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, Oliver!, We Will Rock You, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story and Grease (musical). Notable former pupils John Blayney, Judge of the Supreme Court Paddy Cosgrave Ben Healy, rugby player Sean Lucy, Poet and Professor at University College Cork Abbot Mark Patrick Hederman Eamonn Quigley, gastroenterologist References External links Glenstal Abbey School website Monastery website The Glenstal Old Boys Society Secondary schools in County Limerick Private schools in the Republic of Ireland Catholic boarding schools in Ireland Catholic secondary schools in the Republic of Ireland