The school was founded in 1960 by Monsignor John McCarthy and
Dr. Vincent Hanly,
Bishop of Elphin. The institution is named after
Aloysius Gonzaga, the
Renaissance Italian aristocrat born in 1568, who joined the
Jesuits, and was
canonized by
Pope Benedict XIII in 1726. The first classes took place in a small room attached to the
Dean Crowe Theatre. The school later moved to a much larger, dedicated location at Deer Park Road, its present-day location. The
Georgian house there, built in 1820, was the sole venue for classes in the early years after the move, but as the number of pupils grew, newer classrooms, study areas and recreation facilities were built. The late Dr. Joseph Ducke, author, and founder of the 'Passionfruit Theatre', taught English at the school. In 2010, the college partnered with
Élan Corporation in a business-to-education learning initiative. From the start of the 2017/2018
academic year, the school merged with St. Joseph's College, Summerhill, with the new name of Colaiste Chiaráin, named after the local saint
Ciarán of Clonmacnoise. The new school is located at the existing Summerhill site, on the outskirts of Athlone, with a new name, and new management structures. ==Awards and academic achievements==