St Michael's Grammar School, Lurgan

St Michael's Grammar School is a grammar school in Lurgan, County Armagh, Northern Ireland.

History

The property known as "Irishtown Hill House", Cornakinnegar was purchased in 1892 for a permanent Boys' Industrial School. Plans for an extension having been approved, Dr. O'Neill laid the foundation stone and the school was named St. Michael's as a form of tribute to Rev. Michael B. McConville, PP. The boys were transferred from their temporary school for Junior Industrial Boys (established in 1905) at 81, William Street, Lurgan, on 26th June 1903 and remained there until 1924 when the two Industrial Schools - St. Michael's for Boys and the House of Divine Providence for Girls (established from 1892) - closed as a result of the partition of Ireland.

With continued refashioned and extension the Boys' Industrial School developed rapidly into Our Lady's Boarding School. As enrolment increased four new classrooms were added in 1950 and in 1959 a new Chapel was completed at the expense of the Mercy Order and blessed by Bishop Eugene O'Doherty.

From 1965 - 1972 a programme of expansion was carried out which included the addition of a canteen, 6th Form Centre, Sports Hall, Music and Lecture Rooms, Art room, Science laboratories, Assembly Hall and General Subjects classrooms.

In 1972 the name of the school was officially changed from Our Lady's to St. Michael's Grammar School when it became a co-educational school enrolling pupils at 14+ following the introduction of the Two-Tier system in the Craigavon Area.

In the 90's the school was further extended with the erection of a Technology Suite. It is hoped that with new grants the temporary classrooms will be replaced with permanent buildings and the school will grow from strength to strength.

ubject Choice

St. Michael's offers a diverse range of subjects including: Art, Biology, Business Study, Chemistry English/Drama, Geography, History, Home Economics, Politics, IT, Languages (French, Spanish and Irish), Mathematics, Religion, Technology and Design, Music and Physics.

Notable Past Pupils

* Neil Lennon - Former Northern Ireland & Glasgow Celtic footballer
* Julie O'Connor - a Northern Irish television presenter and journalist; currently a reporter for UTV Live
* John Daly - Chat show host

References