The Convent of Mercy Rosscarbery was founded from Skibbereen 10 May 1894 on the invitation of Rev. Peter Hill, P.P.V.G.  The Sisters took up residence in the curate’s house, formerly occupied by Rev. Jeremiah O’Shea, C.C until the new convent was built.New convent August 1894On August 10^th 1894, the building of the new convent began. The Foundress, Mother M. de Sales Dooner, designed the building and supervised its execution.  The foreman and carpenter were locals, Mr. James Donovan Mr. James Regan. The building has a frontage of 200 feet and was built from local sandstone.  Voluntary help was given by the people of the locality- drawing building materials to the site.Lace making & weaving were developed in the school which gave employment to many girls.  Orders came from Cork, Dublin and many English centres.  The War years 1914 – 1918 saw a steadily declined and the girls were no longer employed in spite of unfailing efforts to keep the work going. Schools early years:  When the new school was completed in 1896 the number of pupils increased.  Boys were enrolled up to seven years of age. In 1939 a ‘secondary top’ in the primary school was formed and girls were entered for Intermediate and Leaving Certificate from then onwards. In 1950 the secondary top became a recognised secondary school.Co-education & Boarding SchoolIn 1965 co-education began and a boarding school for girls was opened.In 1967 a new two-story wing was built at the back of the school to provide extra accommodation for the boarders.  Additions to the Secondary School continued through the seventies.  Among these were specialist rooms for Woodwork, Metalwork, Art, Music, Cookery, Geography and a Library, a well-equipped gymnasium and an indoor Sports Complex and Tennis Courts.New primary School: In May 1970 a new five- roomed Primary School was opened.Adult Education: In the early 1970s the school facilities were made available to the local community.  During the winter and spring months, night courses in a wide range of subjects were available.Convent extended: In 1963 a new extension was built at the western end of the convent to provide extra sleeping accommodation, a new refectory, a larger community room and a better equipped kitchen. Closure: The convent closed in September 2015. Two of the remaining five Sisters were went to live in Arus Muire Clonakilty three others in accommodation in the locality.