Chanel was the third school to be opened by the Marist Fathers in Ireland, coming after CUS in 1867, and St Mary's College, Dundalk in 1861.

[citation needed] In 2012, Chanel transferred some of its sports fields to the neighbouring Parnells GAA club, which built a new sports complex on the site consisting of several floodlit all-weather pitches, training facilities, and a social centre.

[1] It subsequently sold much of its campus to developers, who have built private housing on the approach to the school.

[2] They are currently linked with Keithryan High School, County Antrim.

[citation needed] Chanel joined the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship programme in 2006.