At first education was in the "Secondary Top" which was an extension of the primary school. The first pupils were "graduates" of sixth class. In 1934 one pupil sat the Leaving Certificate. Then in 1936 the secondary top became a full secondary school. Girls came from as far away as fifteen miles. There were no school buses and there was no "free education" so the girls cycled or walked in every kind of weather.

In 1936 six pupils did the Leaving Certificate. The first Secondary School was fee paying but in name only. There were many exemptions for the daughters of widows, for groups of sisters and for those in poor circumstances. The numbers in the school grew rapidly. Accommodation for all the students became a problem. The upstairs rooms in Chapel Lane were redivided into three, by thin partitions. When the primary school moved to Parnell Street the secondary students took over the vacated rooms both in James Street and Chapel Lane. Later prefabricated class rooms for the secondary school were erected in the grounds of the new primary school in Parnell Street.

In 1983 permission to build a new secondary school was given by the Dept of Education. A site was purchased in 1984 and on May 30th of that year the site was blessed by Most Rev. Laurence Forristal, Bishop of Ossory, and building commenced immediately. On November 21st 1985, Presentation Day, the secondary students and teachers moved into their beautiful new school in Smithsland, Loughboy.

Facilities there include a library, specialist rooms for Art, Music, Science, Home Economics and Computers, a P.E hall with showers, a canteen and an oratory. Outside are lovely grounds with lawns and flowerbeds, tennis and basketball courts and a camogie pitch. The school caters for 600-700 students.

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