Our Lady's Secondary School
School Details
About
Our Lady’s Secondary School is a voluntary Catholic secondary school situated on a hilltop overlooking Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan. Operating under the trusteeship of CEIST and the traditions of the Sisters of Mercy, the school provides a holistic centre of development where each pupil is regarded as a unique individual. The ethos promotes a healthy, safe, stimulating and friendly environment characterised by mutual respect, cooperation and challenge, with a strong Christian foundation that encourages charity, inclusivity and understanding. The campus combines historic charm with modern facilities. Recent extensions house specialist classrooms, a biology laboratory, home economics rooms, construction studies and technical graphics suites, as well as two computer suites and a well‑equipped staff room. A dedicated library occupies the refurbished 1918 building, while a purpose‑built concert hall, opened by President Mary Robinson, and a gym support a vibrant programme of extracurricular activities, including sports clubs, art, and language groups. The school also offers three Special Needs classes, reflecting its commitment to inclusive education and the wellbeing of all learners.
History
The school’s origins date to 1905 when three Mercy sisters arrived in Castleblayney and established a primary school in 1912. In 1918 Scoil Mhuire Secondary School opened in the present Art Room building. A two‑storey building was added in 1962, providing boarding facilities until 1974. In 1971 Our Lady’s Secondary School was formed through the amalgamation of Scoil Mhuire and the boys’ St Mary’s Secondary School. Subsequent developments included prefabricated classrooms (1975), a gym (1979), GPA and additional classrooms (1980), and a major extension opened in September 1999 with new science, technology and computer facilities. A new concert hall was inaugurated in 1993, and throughout the 1990s the school introduced the Junior Certificate Schools Programme, Leaving Certificate Applied, Leaving Certificate Vocational, and the Transition Year Programme (1998). The school continues to build on its Mercy tradition and CEIST charter values.