The property known as "Irishtown Hill House", Cornakinnegar, was purchased in 1892 for the 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.

As enrollment 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 to 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.

[1] 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, accounting, sociology, drama, P.E.