Edward Coyne, SJ

Clongowes 1907-1914 I Edward Coyne, SJ

Edward Coyne, SJ (1896-1958), educationist, was a native of Dublin, who attended Clongowes in 1907-14. He studied at UCD and Innsbruck, and was ordained in 1928. Later he completed his religious training and studies at Münster, the Gregorian University Rome and the Sorbonne. A term at the International Labour Office at Geneva marked his introduction to the practical application of economics and sociology. He taught ethics, moral theology and sociology in Tullabeg and Milltown Park, becoming an influential figure in the development of Irish social and economic thought. He was amongst those who advised Éamon de Valera on the Constitution. He served on numerous government committees, ranging from the Irish Sea Fisheries Association to the commissions on population and emigration. However, he was quite prepared to criticise government policy, when he felt it right to do so. He worked closely with both employers and workers. He was the driving force behind the foundation of the Catholic Workers College in 1951, serving as its principal until 1954. The college had close links with trade unions and management groups. Later it became the College of Industrial Relations and finally the National College of Ireland. In 1949 he was selected to organise UCD’s extra-mural courses. He edited Studies. He served on several joint labour committees, and was active in the cooperative movement, the Irish Agricultural Society (of which he became president) and Muintir na Tíre.