St Josephs Spanish Point Secondary School

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 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

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 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

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