St. Mary's Convent Primary School

History of the School

Following the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy from Birr to Nenagh in June 1854 the first school for boys and girls was established under the principalship of Sr. Xaviour Spain in the coach house of a residence in Summerhill, Nenagh. Shortly afterwards due to large enrolment the school transferred to the Temperance Hall in Chapel Lane (now known as The Institute). In 1856 the school was affiliated to the National School Board. 491 pupils were enrolled but for a variety of reasons records show that only 216 pupils attended on any given day.

Records show that a growth in number to 711 and this consequently necessitated a further move to larger premises. Following the failure of the Fenian Rising and the relative peace that prevailed in Ireland  from the 1870's onwards the county jail located in the town was unoccupied. The Parish Priest, Rev. Dan Flannery, procured the jail house for use as a school with the Sisters moving into the adjoining Governor's House or Round Tower as it is known locally. A lease was signed in 1888 for a period of 999 years provided the buildings were used for education. The jail blocks subsequently served as classrooms for a further 20 years. 

As Ireland became more prosperous the jail blocks were deemed unsuitable and following much persuasion the Authorities allowed for the demolition of some jail blocks to provide a site for a new school. In 1909 the foundation stone of St. Mary's Girls' School was laid by Bishop Fogarty. The school was ready for occupation in June 1910 and was officially opened in October 1910. A monster Ormond Bazaar that realised £1,617 formed a major portion of the expenditure needed. 

The school was officially opened in 1910 and the building still serves as a Primary School for the girls of Nenagh. The building was extensively renovated and seven new classrooms and a library were added in 1973. In 1989 a Principal's and Secretary's Office further enhanced a beautifully preserved and maintained Primary School situated in an area of Nenagh surrounded by many historic buildings. A computer room was established in 1999 which contains fifteen networked computers.

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