Our History
"Over the one hundred and eighty five years since Gardiner Street opened its doors, the school has witnessed the famine, the 1916 rising, two world wars, and the redevelopment of this historic area of Dublin’s inner city.
All these seismic events were witnessed and survived by both the school and the centre as they maintained a steadfast presence here on Gardiner Street, representing comfort, and for the future, to the generations of citizens who benefitted from their loyal and constant support and assistance.
Today Gardiner Street Primary School continues to welcome and develop a new generation of young people who, like previous generations, will learn and grow together creating strong and lasting friendships and benefitting from the holistic education they receive here at this school"
Taken from President Michael D. Higgins' address to the Gardiner Street Primary School community on his opening of refurbished rooms in 2015.
1830
Mary Aikenhead, the founder of Religious Sisters of Charity, believed that education was an effective way to combat poverty. In 1827, following a bequest of £4000 from the Archbishop of Cashel to Daniel Murray, the sisters began work on a new school and convent buildings in Gardiner Street.
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.
1923
A photographic print of the children of the Gardiner Street School in 1923. The photograph forms part of a collection of correspondence between An tSuir Pádraigín, a Sister of Charity, and Fr. Aloysius Travers OFM Cap., a Capuchin Friar, who raised funds on behalf of the school. The Religious Sisters of Charity were later involved in the running of the nearby Temple Street Children’s Hospital. The photograph is credited to Lenehan & McCormack, photographers, 10 Upper Sherrard Street, Dublin.
1994
In 1994 the school underwent a complete refurbishment.
2007
A new two room extension was opened in 2007.
2010
The Aikenhead Wing (now known as the "A Wing")is a four room extension which was officially opened on the 13th of October 2010. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin blessed the building before cutting the ribbon.
2015
On the 8th of June 2015, President Michael D. Higgins celebrated the school's 185th birthday and officially opened three rooms subsumed into school use. The three rooms are in a building that served a Dublin community as a food shelter since first established in 1830.