By 1950 the Presentation Primary School in Kilkenny had about 700 children on roll. They were accommodated in various rooms from James's Street to Chapel Lane. All of the time the numbers were growing and in some cases there were two classes per room.

The Presentation Sisters applied to the Dept. of Education for permission to build a new school in 1952. Eventually the go-ahead was given.

The school was to be built in a green field in Parnell Street. On September 25th 1956, Foundation Day, the foundation stone was blessed and laid by Dr. Patrick Collier, Bishop of Ossory. The new school called Scoil Mhuire, was a two-storey building with eighteen classrooms, a fine Assembly Hall with a stage, offices and specialist rooms. Facilities included two playgrounds with covered-in areas for wet days. The school was surrounded by lawns, flower beds and had two basketball/tennis courts. The estimated cost of building the new school was £102,000. One third of this was to be paid by the Presentation Order.

Scoil Mhuire was opened officially on September 8 1958.

The first part of the ceremony consisted of Solemn High Mass in St Mary's Cathedral at which Bishop Collier presided. Afterwards the Minister for Education, Mr. Jack Lynch ceremoniously opened the main door with a golden key which was later presented to Bishop Collier.

Later in the Assembly Hall the Minister, Bishop Collier and the Mayor gave speeches. After the celebratory meal a teacher from the school Mrs. May McCarthy sang "The Moon Behind the Hill" which was written by a Kilkenny man William Kenneally. Then the guests were taken on a tour of the school.

The school accommodated 720 pupils. It was divided into two separate schools, each with a walking Principal.

The Infant school was downstairs and the Senior School was upstairs. In September 1988 because numbers on roll had decreased, the two schools were amalgamated under one Principal.

Our school today is open to boys from Junior Infants to First Class and girls from Junior Infants to Sixth Class. We have 19 teachers including Sr. Maura, our Principal. The school is fortunate to have the services of two Learning-Support teachers.

We also have a Junior and a Senior Language Class, each with a teacher and full time Speech Therapist.

Facilities in the school include two Art Rooms, computers, two Basketball courts, a green area for sport, two fine enclosed playgrounds and a large hall equipped with a stage. In addition to the broad spectrum of Primary School subjects, the school participates in many extra-curricular activities . The school has been chosen by the Dept.of Education and Science as a Pilot School for teaching French in Primary Schools. Extra - Curricular Activities Swimming Sport for All Day Art and Educational Competitions Prayer and Carol Services Quizzes School Concert National Children's Choir Sports Day Theatre Visits Visits to Exhibitions Educational Walks Camogie / Football / Basketball Coaching / Poetry Festivals.

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