Our Lady's Secondary School Belmullet
School Details
Location
About
Our Lady’s Secondary School, Belmullet is a co‑educational voluntary Catholic secondary school operating under the trusteeship of CEIST. The school delivers a holistic, student‑centred education that balances academic rigour with the spiritual, emotional, social and cultural development of each pupil. A strong emphasis is placed on academic excellence, with a track record of high progression rates to third‑level institutions, while a supportive environment caters for a range of learning abilities, including a dedicated ASD class. The campus boasts modern, state‑of‑the‑art facilities and a wide array of extra‑curricular opportunities. Sporting excellence is encouraged through well‑maintained pitches, basketball courts and a variety of clubs and societies. The school’s inclusive ethos promotes respect, honesty, justice and kindness, fostering a caring atmosphere that prepares students to become responsible adults in an ever‑changing world.
History
The origins of the school date back to 1894 when the Parish Priest of Binghamstown invited the Sisters of Mercy from Ballina to manage the local workhouse. After the workhouse closed in 1921, the Sisters opened a school, initially renting a house in Logmore in 1924 to run a commercial and music school and a private junior school. In 1943, at the request of the Belmullet community, a secondary school was established under Sister Catherine McGoohan, with a boarding wing added in 1946. Extensions in 1953, 1962 (including a large hall) and between 1967‑1973 expanded classroom space and sports facilities, and co‑education began in 1959. The Sisters taught at the school until 2002, maintaining high educational standards rooted in the Mercy charism. In May 2015, Taoiseach Enda Kenny officially opened a new school building.