Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk
School Details
Location
About
Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk is a co‑educational Catholic secondary school in Tralee, County Kerry, operating under the CEIST ethos. The school delivers a holistic education that blends rigorous academic programmes with a strong emphasis on spiritual, personal and social development. Core values such as promoting spiritual and human growth, respect for every individual, and justice and responsibility underpin all learning experiences, fostering an inclusive community where every student can belong and thrive. The curriculum is complemented by a broad extracurricular portfolio, including nationally recognised science awards, competitive football teams for both boys and girls, and annual stage productions. State‑of‑the‑art facilities are showcased through a virtual tour, highlighting modern classrooms, specialist rooms for STEAM subjects, and dedicated spaces for music, sport and pastoral care. A supportive teaching staff and a vibrant community ethos ensure that academic achievement is pursued within a caring environment that nurtures each pupil’s unique gifts and prepares them for responsible adult life.
History
The Sisters of Mercy, founded by Catherine McAuley in 1831, arrived in Tralee in 1854 to aid the sick and poor. In 1855 a 16‑acre site at Balloonagh was donated, and the convent’s foundation stone was laid in May 1858, with completion in May 1861. The school’s origins trace to St. Mary’s Moyderwell (1872) and the “Secondary Top” established in 1925. Full secondary status was achieved in 1953, and in 1985 the school became co‑educational, becoming the only co‑educational convent secondary school in Tralee. Over the decades, successive principals expanded the institution, maintaining its commitment to education rooted in the Mercy tradition.