The foundation of the school in the town was largely due to the philanthropy of a local retired brewer and landowner, James Hevey. A site for the school was obtained from Lord Granard at an annual rent of £15. Within 20 years, during which time the area was devastated by the Great Famine in the 1840s and as a result, delayed the opening of the school. Hevey's last will and testament of 1835, which had been looked over by Daniel O'Connell, also known as The Liberator, contained the following bequest: “all my right and interest in the town and in the lands of Bryanstown for the support, maintenance, and education of poor children of the parish of Mullingar”. The Hevey Institute was built to the designs of James Bourke, who died in 1871. In September 1959, a primary school was opened on the grounds, while in 1972, a secondary school extension containing modernised classrooms was built at a cost of £124,060 Irish pounds, and this was extended in 2003 at a cost of €3 million which included a state of the art technology room which opened in February 2005. On 16 November 2012, the official opening of the restored Hevey Institute was held by members of the Hevey Trust which was set up after the death of James Hevey in 1837 to ensure that the benefactor's purpose was fulfilled. Joseph O'Meara, a former mathematics teacher in the school, served as Principal from 1994 to 2015 when Malachy Flanagan, a geography teacher, was voted to take his role after his retirement in May 2015. The school is all-inclusive to people of all religions and backgrounds, and encourages individuality by supporting sport, art, music and academia. The Admissions policy states that it accepts students of non Catholic faiths, however it is noted that it does not state anything in relation to those who have no faith.
School committees
The parent's council is a committee set up by the parents of students in the school, and other volunteers. The council debates on issues relevant to the ongoing development of the school, and on issues affecting students and school life. The student's council is a committee set up by students in the school. An election takes place each year, around the end of April for the next year's candidates. The student's council asks students on changes that they'd like to see changed to the school such as variations of food offered by the canteen and outdoor seating; giving students a voice to cast their opinion.
The school was originally a boys only school since it was established in the 19th century. However, this changed in 1993 when the repeat of the Leaving Certificate became co-educational in the school as well as many others.Transition Year is offered in the school, and is an optional choice with a set fee for the year.
