There is evidence of the existence of several pay schools in Rathkenny before the National School was established. Bishop Plunkett's diary (4th September, 1799) congratulates the Parish on the male and female schools established. 

The "R.C. School" which was placed under the National Board at the time, was built in 1810 beside the Church of St Louis. In 1839 an application was made to the National Education Board to have this school improved and brought into the National School system.

In the mid 1840s there were 133 boys and 141 girls on the roll in Rathkenny. Seven years after the famine, there were 74 boys and 64 girls.

The site for the new school, at the top of the hill where it currently stands, was part of the Hussey Estate. It was built to accommodate a maximum of 150 pupils. The schoolyard was enclosed by a wall. Pupils and teachers moved into this current school building on 27th February 1906. Mrs Anne Duffy was the principal of the girls’ school and Mr Henry Duffy was the principal of the boys’ school. On their opening day they had 36 girls on roll and 67 boys.

The school celebrated its Centenary in 2005 with a visit from the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.

In November 2021, pupils moved into the new classroom and support room extension built at the back of the current school.

On 29th September 2023 it was officially opened by Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee. 

Adapted from Centenary Memories 2005