History & Development
Ireland in the latter half of the nineteenth century was a country of landlordism, absenteeism, rack-rents and evictions. Mitchelstown and its environs were no exception. The local Parish Priest, Rev. Morgan O’Brien, was anxious to introduce a community of teaching religious to educate the young people of the Parish. With the Bishop’s permission, he asked the Presentation sisters in Doneraile for their assistance. Three sisters volunteered to come to Mitchelstown and on June 14th, 1853, these Sisters left Doneraile in carriages for their journey to the new convent in Mitchelstown. Bonfires were lit on the peaks of the Galtees and houses were decorated to welcome the Presentation Sisters to the town. On July 4th of the same year, the school opened its doors. Within a month 637 children of all ages were enrolled. In 1909 the building of the new Primary School commenced but it was not until 1934 that provision was made for the secondary education of the girls in the locality. A Secondary Top began in that year, providing for the education of the girls to Intermediate Certificate level. While the school was extended in 1954, it was not until 1966 that the status of the school changed from Secondary Top to Voluntary Secondary School under the auspices of the Secondary Branch of the Department of Education and Science, rather than under the Primary Branch as heretofore. Many developments have taken place in the school over the years including, the development of a playing pitch, basketball courts and several extensions.
The school was under the trusteeship of the Presentation Sister since its foundation. Nano Nagle, the foundress of the Presentation Order, responded to the needs of her time and developed an educational curriculum suitable to her students. To-day, Nano Nagle is regarded as one of the great pioneers of Catholic education. Her work laid the foundation for a voluntary school system in Ireland. Her spirit and tradition inspire the Presentation Philosophy of Education which draws inspiration from and is guided by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the spirit and life of Nano Nagle, the teachings of the Catholic Church.
In February 2008 the new Trust Body – CEIST (Catholic Education - an Irish Schools Trust) took over as Trustees.