It is under the ethos of the Catholic Church and is located in the ecclesiastical parish of Templemore, Clonmore and Killea.

The school was established when the Sisters of Mercy opened a convent in Templemore in 1863.

The Christian Brothers School opened in 1932, providing secondary education for boys.

[citation needed] A number of pupils have worn the Tipperary jersey, including David Kennedy, Paul Ormond, Noel Morris, Pat McGrath, Tommy Dunne, Bobby Ryan and his brother Aidan Ryan.

As Templemore CBS in 1978 the school won the Harty Cup and All-Ireland Colleges competitions in hurling.