Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny was opened in 1868 as a boarding and day school for girls.  Its first location was, for a brief time, the building in Kilkenny that is now the Hibernian Hotel.  The community and school then moved to the building that now is home to the Good Shepherd Centre.  A new school building was completed on the Granges Road in 1980 when the school transferred to its present location. In 1984 the boarding section was discontinued.

Since 1980, the main school building has been expanded on a number of occasions, providing more classroom space, science laboratories and a preparation room as well as a music/drama room.

As we moved into the 21st century so did our school, with the construction of our sports hall and astro turf Hockey pitch. Yet another extension, with a dramatic and innovative design, is ready to go to construction. 

A Loreto `Band` in the 1800s - Photo taken in the old school, now the Good Shepherd Centre

This school is one of nineteen Loreto Secondary Schools in Ireland. The Loreto schools share a common educational philosophy and maintain links through inter-school co-operation and extra-curricular activities.