New School opened in the parish of
Our Lady Help of Christians - 1969

Mary Help of Christians Girls' School, Navan Road was originally situated in the Phoenix Park, beside the wall adjoining Blackhorse Lane, now named Blackhorse Avenue. It was built in 1848 for the children of Phoenix Park rangers. The building consisted of one classroom with a Teacher's Residence attached. This was later enlarged to three classrooms and subsequently two wooded classrooms were built beside the school. Both Protestant and Catholic children attended the school. There was a Protestant teacher on the staff. Clergymen of both denominations visited on a regular basis. The school was then in the parish of Chapelizod.

The school transferred to its present location beside Our Lady Help of Christians' Parish Church, on the Navan Road in 1969, under the principalship of Mrs. Kathleen Brophy R.I.P. The old building in the Phoenix Park was vacant for five years until it was reopened as a Special School for children from different parts of the city. Many of the pupils currently attending Mary Help of Christians are children or grandchildren of past pupil of the old Phoenix Park School. In the next school year 2001-2002, there will be 470 pupils attending Our Lady Help of Christians' G.N.S.

Old School

Mary Help of Christians' G.N.S.,
Navan Road,
Dublin 7