School History

The old church in Blessington was originally built as a school in 1882. The report from the Leinster Leader below shows the great community spirit there was at the time.

Leinster Leader 8th July 1882

Blessington Catholic Schools

On Friday a demonstration came off in Blessington.  It having become known that the new school wanted materials for the building, one hundred and sixty farmers of the parish of Blackditches turned out their horses almost at a moments notice and each brought a load of stones from the magnificent granite quarries at Ballyknockan. The imposing cortege far extended beyond the whole length of the town and was accompanied from Ballyknockan by Rev. E. Rownan P.P and Ref. Mr Hickey C.C who were enthusiastically cheered. The School committee received the reverend gentlemen at the school.

Rev. Thomas Heffernan C.C, Mr Patrick Driver P.L.G, Mr Peter Malee and several other gentlemen were present and joined in the demonstration of applause and acclamation which greeted this noble band of farmers, showing in this practical way their appreciation of Catholic teaching.

A new school was built in 1936 on the site of the original Royal Irish Constbulary Barracks.

The old school was converted for use as a church.  It was consecrated and opened on Ascension Thursday 30th May 1946, by Archbishop John  Charles McQuaid of Dublin. It was dedicated and known as the church of Our Lady of the Most Holy Sacrament.

It closed in 1982 when the new church was built. It had been in use as a church for thirty-six years and is now over one hundred years old.  The old church has returned to its original use and has been incorporated into the primary school.