Gardiner Street School is a Catholic school in the tradition of the Religious Sisters of Charity.  The school was opened on February 1st  1830 by Mary Aikenhead.  

Opening Day:  On St. Brigid’s Day, 1st February 1830, the new convent and school were opened and blessed by Archbishop Murray.  The school was on the ground and first floors of the building, with the Sisters residing on the second floor.  The lower and upper schools occupied very large rooms, almost the width of the building, with several classes in each.  It is reported that on the opening day hundreds of unruly girls arrived in the new premises, mainly in the hope of receiving a free meal!

 Sister Mary Xavier Hennessy was chosen to be the first Principal.  Born in Cork in 1797,   she was a member of the wealthy Hennessy family, some of whom had founded the famous distillery at Cognac in France.  She was also a first cousin of Mary Aikenhead.  

Read more about Sister Mary in the history section.