History

The Church of Ireland (COI) in Tourmakeady was built in the 1850’s and opened in September 1853. 

It was built by the COI Bishop of Tuam, Reverend Thomas Span Plunket (1792-1866), second Baron Plunket and 'Lord Bishop of Tuam Killala and Achonry Bishop of Tuam, who had taken up residence in Tourmakeady Lodge in 1831-1832.

One hundred years on from the famous Tourmakeady Ambush (Luíochán Thuar Mhic Éadaigh), mounted by the South Mayo Brigade of the IRA on the 3rd of May 1921, the communities from which the Brigade were drawn, are remembering that much talked about event in the famous War of Independence in Ireland.

Coláiste Chonnacht was established by the Gaelic League in 1906 in Tourmakeady in Co. Mayo. 

It was established to train teachers in the teaching of the Irish language. 

The college moved location to An Spidéal, Co. Galway in 1910, where it acquired a premises in Sheeaunroe House. 

The college is located here to the present day.