Scoil Mhuire ar Chnoc na hAoine was founded in 1980 to cater for children from the Knocknaheeny/Hollyhill area in the northside of Cork City. The original staff comprised of three teachers, Mr Sean O Sé, Principal (now retired), Mrs. Liz Nolan(now retired) and Ms. Nuala Kelleher. They first taught in rooms in Terence MacSwiney Community College; the local post primary school.

In 1981 St. Mary's On the Hill was officially established in the present site. Fr.C.J. White was the first Chairman of the Board of Management.
The school itself grew, first to ten teachers and subsequently to as many thirty-five teachers. At its height over 900 children attended the school.The school presently caters for about 360 children.
The school grounds extend to four acres laid out in playgrounds and grassland. Over the years over five hundred trees and shrubs were planted. In time to come the grounds will be graced by stands of many varieties including oak, beech, ash, sycamore, horse chestnut and Layland Cypress.
Mrs Elizabeth Nolan took over as principal after Mr. Seán Ó Sé.
Our present Principal is Mr. Kevin O'Callaghan and our Deputy Principal is Claire Lovett.