Saint Joseph’s Community College is an amalgamation of two long established second level schools in Kilkee.
The Sisters of Mercy set up a Primary School for girls in Kilkee in 1878. In 1943, the sisters opened a Secondary Top. This was a continuation of the existing convent Primary School. The students were eligible for the certificate examinations. In 1960, the Secondary Top was recognised as a full Secondary School by the Department of Education. The schools, primary and second level, were attached to the convent building which was located beside the church.
The Vocational School was established in 1969, by Clare VEC, to provide a comprehensive technical education for local students. The students sat the Group Certificate and Intermediate Certificate Examinations each year. In 1972 cooperation between both schools, through a joint Leaving Certificate programme, enhanced the range of subjects available to students. This arrangement operated successfully between the two schools until the amalgamation in 1990.
In 1990 rationalisation of the two post primary schools took place, leading to the creation of Saint Joseph’s Community College, Kilkee. The college is a modern well equipped building located on the site of the original Vocational school on the Carrigaholt road.