Blackwater Community School opened in 2003 and is an amalgamation of Lismore CBS, Presentation Convent Lismore and St Anne’s Secondary School, Cappoquin, making it a school of Mercy, Presentation and Christian Brother traditions. The school was built on a Greenfield site and opened with a student population of 400 students. The school has seen significant growth and development since then and currently has as enrolment of over 950 students.
Between 2003 and 2015, there was the construction of an extension building of 6 classrooms as well as the purchase of the County Library and County Council offices, which added to the school campus. Since 2022 Blackwater Community School has undergone a major new building development and reconfiguration. This ambitious project marks one of the most significant investments in the school since its opening in 2003. The works included the construction of a new two-storey building comprising of new classrooms, practical subject rooms, office space, a new staff carpark, new astro-turf pitches, GAA pitch, a fitness suite, an upgrade of our facilities in the John Treacy PE Hall and additional IT facilities. Further phases saw the refurbishment of the existing school building, increased science labs and prep rooms, and demolition works to add more classrooms, The Cavanagh Auditorium, construction studies rooms and social space areas as well as the upgrading of the historic former monastery, which now incorporates the A.S.D. Hub. The official opening of the new school building & sports campus by Taoiseach Micheál Martin took place in September 2025.
Our school crest is inspired by the Salmon of Knowledge and was designed by current staff member and past pupil, Ms. Jane Prendergast.
The salmon is an ancient symbol of Christianity. The salmon and the spirals are enclosed within the circle of a united school community. The spirals represent the movement of the river Blackwater, the extended community around the Blackwater and our Celtic heritage. A sculptural representation of our school crest is situated in our school foyer and was designed and created by Mr. Billy Moore.
