Mallow Con National School
School Details
Location
About
Convent Primary School Mallow is a mainstream Catholic primary school that educates girls from First to Sixth class, while also providing five co‑educational special educational classes. These include three Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) classes, a Moderate Learning class and an Early Intervention class, reflecting the school’s commitment to inclusive education and the holistic development of every pupil, particularly those who are disadvantaged or marginalised. The school’s ethos is rooted in the Mercy philosophy of education, which seeks to nurture each child’s full potential within a happy, secure learning environment. Facilities have been expanded over the decades and now comprise a multi‑purpose room, cooking and remedial rooms, a well‑stocked library, a safe room, and dedicated staff and principal offices. Outdoor spaces feature a small pool with goldfish, a bird table and flower plots, providing a colourful and stimulating setting for experiential learning.
History
The Sisters of Mercy opened a convent in Mallow on 13 October 1845, establishing the town’s first national school, the Mallow Convent School, a month later. Initially housed in a single stone‑built room, the school welcomed up to 300 pupils of all denominations and offered daily religious instruction. Early leadership included Eliza O’Connor, transferred from the former female national school. After declining a site at the Patrician Monastery, the Sisters acquired land in Bathview and opened a new convent in 1850, featuring a four‑roomed national school. The Cloister School was constructed in 1910, expanded in 1945, and further enlarged in 1975 with additional classrooms and specialised spaces, supporting a growing and diverse student body.