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School History

Our History - Responding to a Changing Society

As we enter the new millennium or 21st Century it is interesting to note the development of the Community College as we know it today was an evolutionary process commencing at the end of the last century.

Prior to the development of our present co-educational system the college owes the introduction of Technical education to the Sisters of Mercy who opened a school for girls in 1893. Even in those days fund-raising was necessary and the Sisters organised several concerts to clear a IR1,500.00 debt. The world acclaimed tenor, John McCormack, was a frequent star performer and helped alleviate some of the Sisters financial difficulties.

In 1902 a Technical School for boys was opened by the Secretary of the Department of Education and Technical Instruction. In 1906 the committee set up the Athlone Woodworking and Industries Society offering their premises and equipment in Gleeson Street to the Society. In 1930 the technical scheme which had up to this been administered as a local scheme now joined the wider county scheme. New premises were acquired in St. Mary's Place. Classes commenced and as numbers increased further extensions to the building were required.

Eventually greater accommodation was necessary and in 1974 the work and students of the Old Vocational School transferred to a new building at Retreat Road where the present Community College stands.

The college offers an all embracing holistic education aiming to develop the young student in the manner best suited to that individual.

In 2006 the Department of Education & Science have given approval for the building of a brand new state of the art school in place of the existing building. The planning process is well underway and the Department of Education and Science are hoping the new school will be ready for occupation in September 2012.