Esker National School
School Details
Location
About
Esker National School is a vibrant primary school situated in the parish of Kiltulla, beside St Patrick’s Monastery and a short distance from the historic town of Athenry. The school serves a close‑knit community of over 60 families, with a current enrolment of 98 pupils. Its ethos is centred on partnership with parents, the parish and the wider community, fostering an environment where every child can reach their full potential through a balanced programme of academic learning, creative arts and sport. The campus comprises four spacious classrooms, a well‑stocked library/resource room, a dedicated learning‑support room, staff facilities and a modern office. Two large prefabricated structures provide flexible multi‑purpose spaces. A significant extension, completed in September 2008 and officially opened in December 2010, added further classroom capacity and state‑of‑the‑art equipment. Bright, colour‑rich interiors showcase pupils’ artwork, creating an inviting atmosphere that supports both collaborative and individual learning.
History
The original Esker school was founded by Fr Smith in 1828 as a two‑storey building in a field adjacent to the present site. The current school building was erected in 1962 as a modest two‑roomed facility; a prefabricated classroom was added by 1982 to meet growing demand. An extensive extension, funded by the Department of Education and local contributions, was completed in September 2008. The new wing was officially opened by Tánaiste and Minister for Education Mary Coughlan on 12 December 2010 and blessed by Bishop John Kirby.