In his book, “Catholic Church in the Emerald Isle of the West”, the late Bishop Dmets says, “Money spent on training minds, fashioning characters and strengthening bodies in turning out better, brighter and sounder people  may well be one of the soundest investments one can make. The key to a country’s prosperity lies in man himself.”

A handwritten document submitted in 1949 by Father DeRidder, School Manager, to the Supervisor of School, Mr James Carrott, throws some light on some of the early history of the Roman Catholic School (as it was known). In 1875 a small schoolroom was built under the leadership of a priest of French descent, Father Gagneux. Miss Savage and Miss Kirnon (both from England) are mentioned as the names of the two teachers at the time.

However outgoing  Principal Mrs Eileen Edwards says that from information gleaned, Catholic education seemed to have started as far back as 1860, with classes being held in the church building. Bishop Demts says in his book: “1860-1870, Father Patrick Smythe ….opens first parochial school.”