User:SeoR/sandbox/Simon Clyne

Simon "Sam" Clyne was an educational leader in Ireland, President of St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, the country's largest college of education, and a commentator on educational matters. A Vincentian priest and PhD holder, Sam Clyne also served as Principal of Castleknock College and as chaplain to the President of Ireland.

Early life and education
Simon Clyne, often "Sam", was born in Clara, Co. Offaly, Ireland, son of Michael and Angela Clyne. He had four brothers and three sisters. He, and all his brothers, attended Castleknock College in Dublin, where he was an active inter-schools rugby player. He was head prefect in his final year.

Academic career and religious life
Clyne entered the Congregation of the Mission, commonly known as the Vincentians, after school, and after ordination, he pursued studies in philosophy in Rome, before moving to Oxford University, where he obtained honours Bachelors and Masters degrees in philosophy, politics and economics.

He joined the staff of St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Ireland's largest college of education, as a lecturer in philosophy and politics in 1964. Later roles there included Dean of Studies, Bursar (Head of Finance) and Head of the Education Department, the college's main component. He was appointed Acting President of the college from 1974 to 1976.

Clyne pursued doctoral studies with Boston College from 1979, and was awarded a PhD in Educational Administration and Supervision in 1982, with a thesis on the The judicial evaluation model (a testing regime). He then returned to St. Patrick's to lead the graduate course for primary school teachers. He was chosen as President of St Patrick's in 1985, and held that office from 1985 to August 1999.

He became Principal of Castleknock College after stepping down from St. Patrick's, serving from 1999 until retirement in 2005. He was a member of the Castleknock College Governing Body through 2005, overseeing new building development plans.

He also served as chaplain to the President of Ireland.

Public commentary
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Later personal life
After an illness in 2005, Clyne moved to the Sacred Heart Residence, Sybil Hill, Raheny, opposite the Vincentian Provincialate and St. Paul's College, Raheny, in 2005. He died there on 22 January 2015. His funeral was held at St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, and he was buried in Deansgrange Cemetery.