History of St. Mary's Parish Primary School - St. Mary's Parish Primary School

The beginnings of Scoil Mhuire Fatima date back to 1854 when 4 nuns from the Convent of Mercy in Dublin, travelled to No. 2, The Terrace, Dublin Road, Drogheda. These nuns contributed greatly to the local community in the work they did, e.g. in the local poorhouse hospital, but especially in the area of education. In 1858 they set up St. Mary's Convent Schools  providing education for local children.  A private school, St. Joseph's, was set up by the nuns in 1879, which also catered for boys up to 1st class. In 1952, a national school was built, which was dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima. Later, in 1978, St. Joseph's was amalgamated with this school. The first lay principal was appointed in 1992 and the last Sister of Mercy nun to teach in the school was Sr. Columba who retired in August 1996. By 2012, there were over 400 pupils and a staff of 19 teachers, including principal. Some of the same buildings from 1858 were still being used!

St. Mary's Boys National School opened its doors to students in 1953.

In 2000 Minister Michael Woods confirmed a replacement school for Fatima – a 16-classroom school and sanctioned the replacement of Congress Avenue with an 18-classroom school. In 2004 the concept of an amalgamated school was first muted. In the following years the project moved through the planning process with the new sod being finally turned in December 2010. Two years later St. Mary's Parish Primary School was opened to students on September 3rd 2012. It was officially opened by Bishop Michael Smith on  12th od December, 2012. (12/12/12) at 12:12pm!