St Joseph's Secondary School, Spanish Point

St Joseph's Secondary School is a school in Spanish Point, County Clare, Ireland.

Foundation

On March 19th 1929 – the feast of St Joseph – Sea View House, Spanish Point was purchased by the Sisters of Mercy. Captain Ellis who owned considerable property in the area was anxious to dispose of Sea View House before he left for Dublin. Though the deed of purchase was signed on March 19th the nuns did not take up residence until July 1st that year. Stables and coach house were transformed into a school building with three classrooms. A secondary school was opened in September 4th 1929. Forty pupils enrolled and this was the nucleus of St Joseph’s Secondary School, Spanish Point. The programme of the Dept of Education was followed. A few years later the school was inadequate so St Joseph’s Hall was opened near the Convent and it served as classrooms and Chapel.

Important dates

• 1929 - 1990
  • 1931 Boarding school opened
  • 1942 Reconstruction of Woodbine Cottage for Science and Domestic Science
  • 1958 New school built on present site
  • 1969 First male teachers on staff
  • 1971 Extension to school
  • 1978 Closure of Boarding School
  • 1979 Golden Jubilee of Mercy Order in Spanish Point
  • 1985 Metalwork and Woodwork added to curriculum
  • 1988 Introduction of the Board of Management

• 1991 - present
  • 1991 Opening of Technical Block
  • 1993 3-classroom extension with social area
  • 1996 6-classroom extension with dressing rooms
  • 1997 Introduction of PLC
  • 1999 70th Anniversary
  • 2002 Introduction of BTEI and Agricultural Science.
  • 2002 First Third Level Course in Spanish Point
  • 2004 Opening of Áras Chaitriona – Conference Centre

People

RTE Sports commentator Marty Morrissey is a former teacher while the current deputy-principal, Harry Hughes is also a director of the Willie Clancy Summer School