In the early 1970s, Ballincollig was experiencing rapid population growth and urbanisation, which brought with it the need for more school places for local children. In response, Scoil Mhuire Girls’ School was opened on September 1st, 1975.

The school was originally planned as a twelve-classroom building, offering Catholic primary school education to the young girls of the village. Thanks to the foresight and determination of the acting Parish Priest at the time, Fr. Aherne, the building plans expanded to have capacity for sixteen classrooms before opening. 

On its very first day, Scoil Mhuire welcomed three hundred and fifty two pupils and nine teachers, marking the beginning of a proud tradition of education in the heart of Ballincollig.

Since then, our school has been guided by four very dedicated principals, each overseeing many changes and developments over the years. In order to meet further capacity demands for increasing pupil population, the addition of an extra six classrooms in a ‘new building’ occurred in September 1990, opened by Máire Uí Ruairc, Minister for Education. 

From the very beginning, the school has strived for excellence in everything it does, nurturing not only academic achievement but also personal growth, creativity, and community spirit. There is a strong tradition throughout Scoil Mhuire of a love for and promotion of our Irish language. Gaeilge remains a natural feature of daily interaction between pupils and teachers. 

In September 2025, we celebrated fifty years of our wonderful school. 

Throughout many changes, one thing has always remained the same: the ethos and commitment to the education and well-being of the girls of Scoil Mhuire.