History Of The School

St Joseph’s Convent was built by Lyster of Athlone on the site of ‘Seaville,’ originally built by the MacDermott family and later inhabited by Bishop Burke.

The Ursuline sisters moved into ‘Seaville,’ now called St Joseph’s Convent. They endured difficult conditions, prioritizing the accommodation of their students.

Nazareth, the first free primary school, was built. Later, it became St Anne’s day school after St Vincent’s National School was built.

Bishop Gillooly oversaw the addition of a children’s chapel, a study hall (now a science hall), and dormitories to the convent.

A new choir, infirmary wing, and kitchens were added. Improvements were also made to the farmyard, including a boarders’ dining room, community room, and novitiate.

St Vincent’s National School was built.

Two wings were added to St Joseph’s secondary school, which included dormitories, classrooms, a laundry, bakery, and bathrooms.

St Vincent’s National School was extended.

A larger bakery and more bathrooms were added to accommodate the growing number of nuns and boarders.

Another wing was built to house a large chapel, concert hall, classrooms, dormitories, and more facilities for students and staff.

A new extension was added to St Joseph’s school, including classrooms, science labs, and a lecture room to support increasing student numbers.

Further rooms were added, including art rooms, a music room, geography room, home economics kitchen, science lab, classrooms, and a sports hall.

A new Technology room, Home Economics room, and Guidance rooms were added.

The school welcomed a new Astro Turf pitch for sports activities.