The school opened in September 1969, and in its infancy was composed of merely two teachers and forty-five students. Initial lessons were taught in just one prefab. During the 1970s, in order to accommodate the increasing student population, more prefabs were added, until a new school building was commissioned, ultimately opening in 1978. Further growth and development occurred, resulting in an increase in the staff size of the school to thirty by the turn of the decade. However, with a spiking population in Lucan, the existing school building was no longer of a sufficient size, and thus a large extension was built in 2004 to expand the footprint of the school. The extension contained computer and science labs and a careers library in addition to new metalwork and woodwork rooms and a gym were also added. As of 2015, 52 teachers are situated in the school, which is attended by over 725 students. Anthony Brady is the current principal. A memorial garden, in addition to a student award, has been erected in the school for Mark O'Neill, a student who died while attending the school.
The school operates a series of extra curricular activities. The school consistently takes part in the BT Young Scientist competition, and has produced multiple award winners at the exhibition. In 2012, the school's first year soccer team won the Leinster Cup, a schools tournament organised by the FAI. This was followed by similar successes in 2016. Recently, the school introduced rugby, cricket, hockey and Ultimate Frisbee teams, as well as a debating squad, who compete in contests such as the Schools Competition, organised by Oxford Union. Furthermore, the school organises a 5-a-side tournament for charity, named in honour of Mark O'Neill. In 2016, the school became All-Ireland Champions at the 'A' Grade in U16 Basketball following a meteoric rise in the sport. The school is also renowned for its participation in many Irish-Language competitions such as Feachtas Tráth na gCéist, which it has won thrice and many Irish debating competitions. Due to these victories, Coláiste Phadráig CBS is considered as one of the best non-Gaelscoil schools in teaching and promoting Gaeilge as a language. The school also supports Seachtain na Gaeilge every year.
Facilities
The school has many modern facilities. These include five laboratories, two computer rooms, two metalwork and woodwork rooms, a language room, a large canteen and a study hall where all state examinations take place. Outside, there are junior and senior yards, a soccer pitch, a Gaelic football and hurling pitch a car park for patrons of the school and two basketball courts. Soccer goals are also placed in the yards. There is a big sports hall situated beside the school building. It contains facilities for tennis, soccer, hockey, badminton and basketball to be played. It also contains a modern gymnasium that is used by students and teachers alike. The school, equipped with multiple computer rooms, was selected as a trial school for the teaching of computer science as a Leaving Certificate subject.
