St Paul's - A Walk Through Memory Lane
1962
The Sisters of Charity of St Paul the Apostle accepted an invitation from Archbishop John Charles McQuaid to start a school on the outskirts of Dublin.
They purchased 50 acres of land (formerly Taylor’s Farm) for the building of St Paul’s primary and secondary schools, St Peter’s boys’ primary school and the Church of the Holy Spirit. The Sisters also built a convent adjacent to the school.
1965
The first 62 pupils enrolled in St Paul’s Secondary School, initially in a few prefab classrooms, with Mother Malachy taking the reins as the first principal.
1976
The school grew in size to 750 pupils. As a result, space became tight, resulting in the first years being brought by bus to be taught in classrooms in St Kevin’s GNS, Kilnamanagh.
1978
A new extension was built to accommodate the growing numbers. This comprised two wings – the 40s and 50s – and a central concourse.
1989
The school was damaged by fire, which caused the hall to burn down and the building to suffer extensive smoke damage.
1990
The hall was rebuilt and its official opening was held. The school also celebrated its silver jubilee.
1992
Two students, Elizabeth Dowling and Jean Byrne (RIP), were crowned the 1992 Young Scientists of the Year for their project, “A Picture Winged Insect – Population Dynamics of a Thistle Predator Terellia Serratulae.’
The students of Sister Elizabeth Walsh also won a top award at the European Commmunity Contest for Young Scientists at Expo’92 in Seville, and were guests of honour that year at the Nobel Prize ceremonies in Stockholm.
1996
A new wing – the 60s – was added to the school and was officially opened by Bishop Eamonn Walsh.
1999
2000
The Millennium window was designed and painted by 5th year students.
2001
St Paul’s received its first green flag from Mary Harney. It received its second one in 2005 from Trevor Sargent and its third green flag in 2010 from Eamonn Ryan.
2005
The Pavilion Café opened in the school, serving breakfast and lunch to students.
2009
The blessing of the school’s new oratory took place and the school library opened that same year.
2010
2010
The school entered into a new phase in its history when the Sisters of St. Paul, along with other congregations, transferred the trusteeship to the Le Chéile Trust.
The role of Le Chéile is the development of a vision of Catholic education. The Trust took over the legal, financial and inspirational role of trusteeship that had been the responsibility of individual congregations.
2012
The school’s new outdoor sports facilities opened.
2015
2016
The convent land was sold and the Sisters moved into houses locally. A new astro sports pitch was built in the school, and a new car park was constructed.
St Paul's Leadership through the Years
Principals
Geraldine Troy
2018 – 2020
Majella Deasy
2008 – 2018
Triona Glacken
1993 – 2008
Sr Mary Clare Dunne
Sr Honore Breen
1972 – 1978
Sr Gerard Brady
1968 – 1972
Mother Malachy
1965 – 1968
Deputy Principals
Margaret O’Shea
Geraldine Troy
2012 – 2020
Frances Leahy
2003 – 2012
1995 – 2002
Barbara Fleming
1987 – 2003
Joan O’Connell
1983 – 1987
Agnes Curran
1972 – 1983
School Productions
1970
The Mikado
1971
The Quaker Girl
1974
The Sound of Music
1975
Love from Judy
1981
The Sound of Music
1982
My Fair Lady
1985
Oliver
1993
The Wizard of Oz
1994
Juno and the Paycock
1995
Scrooge
1996
Oliver
2015
Grease
2017
A Doll’s House
2018
Oliver
2019
Sive
2020
Mary Poppins
