Seminarians promise to remain celibate when ordained deacons in their sixth year.
Thousands of Irishmen have entered through the gates of Maynooth
College with the intention of becoming diocesan priests, and while most
of them subsequently decided against priesthood or left following
ordination, most of them entered the seminary as idealistic young men,
believing they were responding to God’s call. By the time they left the
seminary, many had become disillusioned and critical of the seminary
system.
For example, priests who were students before Vatican
II criticise the seminary because of its regimented nature and
‘pernickety’ rules, which reflected the strictly hierarchical Church and
cultic priesthood that prevailed in Irish society at the time.
http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/there-is-scope-for-trial-and-error-on-the-road-to-celibacy-1.2749424
http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/there-is-scope-for-trial-and-error-on-the-road-to-celibacy-1.2749424