Presentation Girls Maynooth
School Details
Location
About
Presentation Girls’ Primary School, Maynooth, is a Catholic primary school for girls from Junior Infants to Sixth class, serving a vibrant community of over 600 pupils. The school embraces the ethos of the Presentation Order, founded by Nano Nagle, and strives to create a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment where kindness, empathy and respect are woven into everyday life. A special “Busy Bees” class provides a nurturing pre‑school setting for children with autism, reflecting the school’s commitment to meeting diverse learning needs. The educational approach is holistic, offering a broad and balanced curriculum that stimulates a love of learning. Pupils benefit from well‑equipped classrooms, a modern library, a dedicated P.E. Hall, resource rooms and a Junior Assembly Hall, all part of the 2010 extension. Extra‑curricular programmes, after‑school activities and a Green Schools committee further enrich the school experience, encouraging personal development and environmental stewardship. A strong partnership with parents is fostered through clear communication, a Parents’ Association and a range of supportive policies. The school’s motto, “Aoibhinn Beatha an Scoláire” (School Days are Happy Days), encapsulates its aim to provide a happy, safe and stimulating environment where every child can reach their full potential.
History
The origins of Presentation education in Maynooth date back to 1823 when the Presentation Sisters opened a school at Charter House at the request of Abbé Anglade of Maynooth College, supported by the Duke of Leinster. The school expanded in the 1830s to become a national school and saw further building works in 1877 and 1922. In 1870 the sisters acquired Crom Abú Lodge, later used for post‑primary training, and purchased additional land in 1925. By the 1960s the original primary school was in disrepair, prompting the move to a new site on Carton Avenue; Crom Abú Lodge was demolished in 1970 to create a car park. The present school opened on 1 July 1971 as an eight‑classroom building, with an additional eight classrooms added in 1980. A major extension was completed in January 2010, adding three classrooms, four resource rooms, a new P.E. Hall, a two‑storey block with six classrooms and a Junior Assembly Hall. The first lay teacher arrived in 1961, the first lay principal was appointed in 2003, and the Presentation Sisters continued voluntary visits until 2017, maintaining the spirit of Nano Nagle’s vision.