St Joseph's Secondary School
School Details
About
St Joseph’s Secondary School is an all‑girls Catholic secondary school situated in the heart of Castlebar, County Mayo. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy, the college blends a long‑standing Catholic ethos with an inclusive approach, welcoming pupils from all religious traditions. The school delivers the full Junior Cycle, a dedicated Transition Year programme and the Senior Cycle, underpinned by a modern digital learning plan and a strong emphasis on wellbeing, guidance and special educational needs support. The campus occupies historic grounds formerly belonging to Lord Lucan, providing a distinctive setting that combines heritage with contemporary facilities. Learners benefit from well‑equipped classrooms, access to blended‑learning technologies, and a range of extracurricular activities such as cultural tours, musical productions and leadership conferences. The school’s ethos centres on educating the heart, hands and head, fostering academic rigour, personal development and community engagement.
History
St Joseph’s is an all‑girls secondary school founded by the Sisters of Mercy. It is the oldest secondary school in Castlebar, with origins dating back to 1853. The school stands on the historic grounds of the former Lord Lucan estate. In January 1845, the parish priest Fr Gibbons convened a public meeting in the local parish church with the aim of bringing the Sisters of Mercy to the town, leading to the establishment of the school.