Our Vision

Cathal Moore
Principal

Evelyn Concannon
Deputy Principal

Brendan Mc Hugh
Deputy Principal

Anne Monaghan
Deputy Principal

Vision Statement

​Presentation College , Athenry is a voluntary secondary school which is predominantly Catholic in character not in any sectarian sense but in the expression of our Christianity through our Catholic faith.  As a school community we commit ourselves to hand on our Christian faith and Christian values
  • by fostering a love of God in one another through our daily prayers, symbols, rituals and example;
  • by cherishing all our members equally regardless of religious affiliation or cultural differences;
  • by helping one another to realise our full potential and to become responsible members of society;
  • by promoting a sense of personal value, mutual respect and self discipline;
  • by encouraging each other to share in the responsibility of running the school;
  • by seeking to discern those most in need among us and responding to them.
The challenge is ours today to allow the love of god to touch our hearts so that we will find our true meaning and purpose in life.

Our Ethos

Presentation College is a co-educational Catholic Voluntary Secondary School.  As a Presentation School founded on the ethos of Nano Nagle, we commit ourselves to the expression of our Christianity though our Catholic faith:
  • By providing religious formation classes
  • By allowing time/space during the school day for prayer and ritual
Mass is celebrated at the beginning of the school year during the month of November to remember our beloved dead.  Th  Leaving Certificate Graduation mass closes the school year.  Students are encouraged to take an active part in the preparation for and in the celebration of the liturgy.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession is available on specific school days during Advent and Lent. Priests from the surrounding area are available in Athenry Parish Church so that every student has the opportunity to avail of the Sacrament.​
Honora "Nano" Nagle (1718 – 1784) founded the "Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary" (PBVM) in Ireland (also known as the "Presentation Sisters") and was a pioneer of Catholic education in Ireland. She was declared venerable in the Roman Catholic Church on 31 October 2013 by Pope Francis.

Our History

​In 1908 Presentation Convent in Athenry was established by the Tuam mother-house. Sisters taught in the old girls' primary school at Abbey Row until, some years later, a new Primary School was built on the parish lands at the rear of the convent.  By the late 1920's the Sisters began to provide secondary education for girls in the primary school through development of a secondary top.  In 1930, four girls took the Intermediate Certificate examination, fore-runner of the present Junior Certificate and in 1948 the school was registered with the Department of Education as a Secondary School and the curriculum was extended. There were 74 girls on the rolls in 1949/50.  A new building, the Technology Block, with 5 classrooms was opened in 1951. The main school building until 1980, this building is still in use today.  in 1952 there were 96 girls enrolled. Some travelled by train from Ballyglunin station, which featured in the film The Quiet Man. Closed for many years, the line was re-opened by 2013 so once again pupils may travel by train to the Pres from Ballyglunin and further afield.

In 1964 the Sisters announced that boys would be admitted to the school from September, and 25 boys joined the 126 girls in the school which was now named Presentation College.  With the advent of the Free Education Scheme and free transport in 1967 pupil numbers increased greatly and Sr. Brid Brennan was appointed Principal 1 year later in 1968.   The co-educational Coolarne school amalgamated with Presentation College in 1968.  By 1970 there were 386 pupils enrolled, and were mainly taught in pre-fabricated classrooms. Enrollment reached 489 in 1975 and a new school building was sanctioned by the Department of Education.  The years 1980 to 1982 saw the completion and opening of the present school building as well as a locally supported gymnasium on what was the school football pitch.
Presentation College Athenery is now part of of CEIST - Catholic Education An Irish Schools Trust. This is the Trustee body for the Voluntary Secondary Schools of the Presentation Sisters, The Daughters of Charity, the Sisters of the Christian Retreat, the Sisters of Mercy and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

The CEIST Charter is available to read by clicking here.