St. Mary’s CBS - A Brief History
The Beginning St. Mary's CBS traces its origins back to 1860 when Fr. Baldwin, the parish priest of St. Mary's, invited the Christian Brothers to take over a parochial school in the parish. This school, which had been operating since before 1822, was situated in a building adjacent to St. Mary's Church in Irishtown. At that time, the school catered to around 300 boys and was funded by church-gate collections.
According to a report from the Commissioners of Education, the school served these 300 boys and was originally run by three "pious laymen." After the Presentation Sisters vacated the building in 1829, the Christian Brothers continued to operate the school there, maintaining a strong tradition of education in the community.
'Secondary Tops' At the turn of the 20th century, the distinction between primary and secondary education in Clonmel was not clearly defined. National schools, including St. Mary’s, offered both primary and secondary education to some extent. When the High School opened in 1900, there were concerns in the Irishtown area that St. Mary's National School, which was providing secondary classes, might be downgraded.
These fears were temporarily assuaged, and by 1930, St. Mary's was still preparing students for the Leaving Certificate. National schools offering some secondary education were known as "Secondary Tops." However, by 1934, it was deemed that the secondary section was no longer economically viable, and St. Mary's became an exclusively primary school.
Relocation By the late 1920s, it had become evident that the existing facilities at St. Mary’s were inadequate for the growing number of students. The Christian Brothers sought better accommodations for their pupils and in 1931, they relocated the school to a portion of the Model School on the Western Road.
The 1960s brought rapid economic growth in Ireland, as the 1966 census recorded the first population increase since the Great Famine of the 1840s. With government policy shifts that increased educational opportunities, the number of students attending secondary and vocational schools tripled between 1960 and 1980. Clonmel, like many towns, faced the challenge of having schools that were either too old or ill-equipped to handle this population boom. A rapid building program was initiated to modernize the local school system.
Modern Developments The Christian Brothers were at the forefront of this educational transformation. In 1961, their monastery in Adelaide House, Irishtown, which they had occupied since 1928, was demolished and replaced by a new primary school with a capacity for 350 pupils in 1963 with pupils moving into the new school building after Easter in 1964 St. Mary's CBS has remained at this location ever since.
Over the years, several developments have taken place. Former cloakrooms were converted into classrooms and resource rooms, and a PE Hall was added 30 years ago. In the last decade, a modern, well-equipped computer room was established, providing high-speed broadband access. The school also implemented a wireless network, enabling internet access throughout the building. A soft-surface play area was added next to the schoolyard to provide a safer space for younger students during playtime.
On October 1, 2009, St. Mary's CBS celebrated another significant milestone when a new extension was officially opened by the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Dr. William Lee. This development, funded under the Department of Education and Science's Devolved Grant Scheme, added new classrooms, resource rooms, and office spaces.
In September 2013, the school further expanded its facilities with the opening of a purpose-built permanent ASD preschool unit adjacent to the main school building. This unit supports the early intervention and education of students with autism. In the summer of 2015, the unit was extended, marking the latest chapter in the proud history of St. Mary's CBS, continuing its tradition of inclusivity and excellence in education.
This rich history demonstrates St. Mary’s commitment to adapting and evolving in response to the educational needs of its community, while remaining grounded in its Catholic ethos and traditions.
According to a report from the Commissioners of Education, the school served these 300 boys and was originally run by three "pious laymen." After the Presentation Sisters vacated the building in 1829, the Christian Brothers continued to operate the school there, maintaining a strong tradition of education in the community.
'Secondary Tops' At the turn of the 20th century, the distinction between primary and secondary education in Clonmel was not clearly defined. National schools, including St. Mary’s, offered both primary and secondary education to some extent. When the High School opened in 1900, there were concerns in the Irishtown area that St. Mary's National School, which was providing secondary classes, might be downgraded.
These fears were temporarily assuaged, and by 1930, St. Mary's was still preparing students for the Leaving Certificate. National schools offering some secondary education were known as "Secondary Tops." However, by 1934, it was deemed that the secondary section was no longer economically viable, and St. Mary's became an exclusively primary school.
Relocation By the late 1920s, it had become evident that the existing facilities at St. Mary’s were inadequate for the growing number of students. The Christian Brothers sought better accommodations for their pupils and in 1931, they relocated the school to a portion of the Model School on the Western Road.
The 1960s brought rapid economic growth in Ireland, as the 1966 census recorded the first population increase since the Great Famine of the 1840s. With government policy shifts that increased educational opportunities, the number of students attending secondary and vocational schools tripled between 1960 and 1980. Clonmel, like many towns, faced the challenge of having schools that were either too old or ill-equipped to handle this population boom. A rapid building program was initiated to modernize the local school system.
Modern Developments The Christian Brothers were at the forefront of this educational transformation. In 1961, their monastery in Adelaide House, Irishtown, which they had occupied since 1928, was demolished and replaced by a new primary school with a capacity for 350 pupils in 1963 with pupils moving into the new school building after Easter in 1964 St. Mary's CBS has remained at this location ever since.
Over the years, several developments have taken place. Former cloakrooms were converted into classrooms and resource rooms, and a PE Hall was added 30 years ago. In the last decade, a modern, well-equipped computer room was established, providing high-speed broadband access. The school also implemented a wireless network, enabling internet access throughout the building. A soft-surface play area was added next to the schoolyard to provide a safer space for younger students during playtime.
On October 1, 2009, St. Mary's CBS celebrated another significant milestone when a new extension was officially opened by the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Dr. William Lee. This development, funded under the Department of Education and Science's Devolved Grant Scheme, added new classrooms, resource rooms, and office spaces.
In September 2013, the school further expanded its facilities with the opening of a purpose-built permanent ASD preschool unit adjacent to the main school building. This unit supports the early intervention and education of students with autism. In the summer of 2015, the unit was extended, marking the latest chapter in the proud history of St. Mary's CBS, continuing its tradition of inclusivity and excellence in education.
This rich history demonstrates St. Mary’s commitment to adapting and evolving in response to the educational needs of its community, while remaining grounded in its Catholic ethos and traditions.
