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Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh

Coordinates: 53°45′52″N 9°48′19″W / 53.76451°N 9.80524°W / 53.76451; -9.80524
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Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh
Location
Map

Coordinates53°45′52″N 9°48′19″W / 53.76451°N 9.80524°W / 53.76451; -9.80524
Information
Established1919
PrincipalPauline Moran
Number of students450 (As of 2019)[1]
Websitewww.sanctamaria.ie

Sancta Maria College is a Catholic secondary school located in Louisburgh, County Mayo, Ireland.[2] The school was Ireland's first Catholic co-educational secondary school.[3][4]

History

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In 1919, two Sisters of Mercy arrived in Louisburgh, and began the development of what would become the first Catholic co-educational secondary school in Ireland.[5] The school was originally called Holy Rosary Secondary School,[6] but more familiarly known as ‘The Convent’. When the school first opened there were only twenty pupils who had to pay a fee of £9 per student per school year.[7]

The school was extended several times during the 20th century, with significant works undertaken in the 1980s.[2][5][8] By the early 21st century, the school was operated under the trusteeship of Catholic Education an Irish Schools Trust (CEIST).[2]

In 2008, the school was ranked 15 (out of 28) in Mayo for third level attendance with 77% progressing to third level. The majority of students (27.5%) enrolled in NUI Galway.[9]

In 2017, the school underwent an extension project which cost €7 million.[3] The project continued for 20 months and included the construction of a new 2-storey extension comprising new main entrance, 12 specialist classrooms, general purpose/dining room and a kitchenette.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Department of Education and Skills - Subject Inspection Report - Sancta Maria College" (PDF). education.ie. Department of Education. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh". CEIST | Catholic Education | An Irish Schools Trust. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Building boom in Louisburgh with Sancta Maria development". mayonews.ie. Mayo News. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Department of Education and Skills - Whole-School Evaluation Report - Sancta Maria College" (PDF). education.ie. Department of Education. 24 April 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  5. ^ a b "New chapter begins for Sancta Maria College in Louisburgh". mayonews.ie. Mayo News. 27 June 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  6. ^ "Double celebrations tomorrow at Sancta Maria College Louisburgh". midwestradio.ie. Midwest Radio. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  7. ^ "100 Years Old – Centenary Celebrations". sanctamaria.ie. Sancta Maria College. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Dáil Éireann debate - Thursday, 8 Mar 1984 - Vol. 348 No. 10 - Written Answers - Mayo Schools". oireachtas.ie. Dáil Éireann. 8 March 1984. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  9. ^ "Sancta Maria College". Irish Times Feeder School Map. Irish Times. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  10. ^ "Sancta Maria College Louisburgh". kilcawleyconstruction.com. Retrieved 9 May 2020.