August 15, 1803

Kilkenny born Edmund Rice opened up his first school in Waterford on August 15th of 1803. Originally a makeshift school for poor boys held in a converted stable on New Street, Rice was forced to move to a more permanent location as the school began to grow. On August 15th, Mount Sion Primary School welcomed its first students. This would be the first school of many future Christian Brothers schools, which are located around the world. In 1906, the first Christian Brothers school was opened in New York City.