 William Delany SJ, LLD(RUI), was rector 1876 similar to Carlow College and St. Patrick's College, Thurles students were able to be matriculated and examined by the University of London for BA degrees, following the establishment of the Royal University of Ireland in 1882 pupils would progress to the Jesuit UCD, students from Tullabeg it was noted achieved high marks in examinations for the Royal University.However, in 1886, the school was closed and the boys were transferred to Clongowes.This may have been because of a shortage of priests, as the Jesuit House in Dromore, Co. Down closed the same year and Mungret College in Limerick had just been established.